Biomarkers of Winter Mortality resistance in selectively bred Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata)
By: Vaibhav, Vineet, Maxime Lepretre, Emma Thompson, David Raftos, and Paul A. Haynes. Aquaculture 465 (2016): 323-329. | Find with Google Scholar »
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Dear all,
Planning for the Christmas Party is well underway – see invitation below and make sure you RSVP to help us with numbers for catering! I also encourage everyone to fill in the WHS survey to help improve safety in the department – see link below.
I’m looking forward to this week’s department retreat – it should be a great few days of planning and working with colleagues,
cheerio
Michelle
Save the Date
This coming week 14th – 18th November
Mon-Tues 14-15th: Department Retreat at Mt Victoria.
Wed 16th: Town Hall on Research Commercialisation, Innovation and Impact; 12pm to 1pm; Macquarie Theatre.
Following week 21st – 25th November
Wed 23rd: Morning Tea with HoD; 10:30am – 11am; E8A-280 (Tea Room).
Fri 25th: Marine Centre Talk: 4pm – 5pm; E8A-280 (Tea Room).
Coming up
Nov 28th – Dec 2nd: HDR writing boot camp at Pearl Beach.
Dec 1st: PhD completion seminars – Sarah Jacquet and Marissa Betts, followed by drinks; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).
Dec 2nd: ECR Early Career Development Workshop 2016
Dec 6th: Department Formal Exam Meeting for Semester 2 2016; 11am; E8A-280 (Tea Room). Followed by…
Dec 6th: Department Christmas Party; from 12.30pm Biology courtyard.
Dec 9th: Faculty of Science & Engineering Xmas BBQ.
Dec 13-14th: Macquarie Minds showcase; Macquarie University.
2017
Feb 21st: E8A Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9am – 12:30pm; E8A-120 (Red Lab).
Feb 23rd: E8C Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9am – 12:00pm; E8C-106.
Feb 24th: F7B Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9:30am – 11:00am; F7B-108 (and 105).
General News and Announcements
Grant Application Success
Louise Tosetto, PhD candidate with Jane Williamson’s Marine Ecology Group (MEG) lab has been successful in obtaining funding from The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment – Equitable Trustees Charitable Foundation for her research looking at Goatfish in coastal ecosystems. Her project aims to understand the effects of human disturbance on their behaviour and community structure.
Macquarie University Train Station Closure
A number of Focus Groups have been scheduled to help us plan for the temporary train station closure in 2018. The University’s Working Group is keen for your insight and input on how we can best plan for this temporary closure.
We’d like to invite you to participate in a Focus Group for academic staff to get your views. Please reply early as space will be limited – if you cannot make the date, feel free to invite any colleagues that you know would like to contribute.
Lunch will be provided.
Date: 23 November 2016
Time: 1130-1300
Venue: BPII Meeting Rooms
RSVP: Naomi Gray <naomi.gray@mq.edu.au> by COB 18 November 2016
HDR Annual Progress Report Deadlines
21 November – HDR candidates to complete APR online
28 November – Supervisors to complete APR online
5 December – Directors (HDR) to review and approve APRs online
Department Safety Survey
Here is your chance to reflect, feedback and help improve the safety in the Department: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/258LDFL
The survey is short, anonymous and will close early December.
ECR Early Career Development Workshop 2016
The MQ Marine Research Centre will be offering an ECR Early Career Development Workshop 2016 to Masters/PhD students, postdocs and academics on the 2nd December 2016. The workshop will focus on avenues to improve the track records of ECRs to be more competitive both inside and outside academia, and diversifying collaborations between ECRs and senior marine researchers.
Registration is open to anyone who is interested and is free of charge. For more information on these workshops and registratons please follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ecr-career-development-workshop-2016-tickets-29139660509?aff=erelexpmlt. If you have any questions please email <marinescience@mq.edu.au>.
Looking for Fieldwork Volunteers
Chathu Perera is a PhD student in the Department of Environmental Sciences co-supervised by Michelle Leishman, looking for a volunteer to give her a hand on one or both of her next two field visits to old mine sites within 200 km of Sydney. The field trips will be 28th November to 2nd December, and 12th to 16th December 2016.
Chathu will cover your transport and accommodation, and the field work includes identifying and collecting plants and soil samples. She is willing to give you a hand in your research in return if appropriate. Since it’s spring and lovely weather it will be an enjoyable and fun field outing. If you are interested please contact her: <chathurika.perera@students.mq.edu.au> (phone 0426 942 147).
Macquarie Minds 13-14 December
A reminder to check out the program and register for the Macquarie Minds showcase on 13-14 December:
There is something for everyone. HDR candidates may be interested in the session on pathways from a PhD to careers outside of academia, from 1-3 pm on 13 December. Academics may be interested in a panel discussion on the new promotions criteria, that Lesley is chairing from 9-10:30 am the 14 December. Check out what else is on offer!
Reminder: Research Commercialisation, Innovation and Impact Framework Town Hall 16 November
Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) is hosting a Town Hall on the Research Commercialisation, Innovation and Impact Framework currently under development.
The event will be held in Macquarie Theatre on Wednesday, 16 November 2016, from 12pm to 1pm. You can RSVP here.
The presenters will be:
Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Professor Peter Nelson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Performance and Innovation)
Ms Anna Grocholsky, Director, Commercialisation and Innovation
Mr John Shi-Nash, Director, Macquarie Park Innovation District Strategy
There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience after the presentations. All Staff and HDR students are invited. If you can’t RSVP, just turn up!
All invited to the Department Christmas Party
Save Power Over Summer!
As the weather is warming up, can everyone please make extra effort to TURN OFF FANS, A/C, and LIGHTS when exiting a room? Let’s work together to save precious energy!
Faculty of Science and Engineering Iconic Research Infrastructure Expression of Interest
The FSE Building Master Plan may present us with an opportunity to request support to establish one or more iconic research facilities to be integrated into the major new Science and Engineering building. If you have ideas, please fill out the attached EOI form and return to Melanie Bishop <melanie.bishop@mq.edu.au> or David Coutts <david.coutts@mq.edu.au>. There is no due date but if you leave it too long you may miss out on a chance of having your say.
Interesting Reading
Nature Report on Australian Research
Analysis of recent ARC outcomes
Academics can discuss at the research retreat next Tuesday!
Plant of the Week
This week – Davidson’s Plum – Davidsonia pruriens – one of the very few economically viable Australian fruit trees.
New Postdoc – Introducing Dr Yuri Ogawa
I have been interested in understanding how animal’s sensory systems detect and process the crucial information to perform the adaptive behaviour. I have focused on the physiological basis of invertebrates’ visual systems to understand the spectral, temporal and polarization properties by electrophysiological and histological investigations. Comparative research allows me also to understand the evolutional aspects on the sensory systems.
My current project aims to understand how ants process different sources of navigational information and integrate them to a behavioural output.
Fond Farewell
Graeme Lloyd has taken a Lectureship in the United Kingdom, and is no longer with the Department – we wish him well!
Cephalopod Material Wanted
Cephalopod-related items wanted for display. These might be specimens (fossils included), published work by yourself or your lab, paraphernalia, other items of interest.
Please contact the Biological Sciences Museum: <elizabeth.eyre@mq.edu.au>
Admin Office Hours
End of year financial workload is high for the admin staff, so office hours are changing.
Admin Offices Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Admin Offices Closed: Tuesday and Thursday
Offices Affected: Sharyon O’Donnell – E8B203
Laura McMillan and Veronica Peralta’s – E8B206
Hannah Woodrow Clark and Lara Ainley’s – E8B207
Effective Date: Monday 7 November 2016
If your matter is urgent, please see Rosie Neville and/or Jennifer Rowland – E8B206 who will arrange an appointment with the appropriate person.
Alternatively, please pick up the phone & call, to avoid increasing the email load.
We need your co-operation with this, to ensure the admin staff survive this stressful time.
HDR Students & Your Leave
Taking leave as a PhD student?
You must remember to complete the relevant leave form (HDR iLearn Taking leave)
If you don’t you may be at risk of your scholarship ending before you thought it would.
Attention Terrestrial fieldworkers
Sarah (terrestrial fieldwork manager) will be on leave from 18th November until 3rd January so there will be no terrestrial fieldwork inductions at this time. If you or your students expect to need an induction at this time please organise as soon as possible before this date. In her absence approvals will be done by Amanda Sordes via Field Friendly as usual. Please allow at least 5 working days for approvals as Amanda will be responsible for all terrestrial and marine (non-boating) approvals during this busy period. In cases of accidents or emergencies or to collect or return equipment please see Amanda or Tarun Rajan.
Boating Officer
Josh Aldridge will provide interim support for boating in the department until a replacement for Andrew Irvine has been appointed. Josh will do boating activity risk assessments and inductions when required. Please contact Josh if you plan any boating activities.
Casual employment opportunity for a Learning Designer with PACE
The position will support an Academic Developer with the adaptation of learning modules into one or more units available for delivery in blended or fully on-line mode and will be a part-time role for approximately 2 to 3 days per week until the end of January 2017.
Any enquiries about the role can be directed to Dr Maria Amigo at <maria.amigo@mq.edu.au>.
PACE Research Officer Position
PACE is currently seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Research Officer to join our Research and Evaluation team.
Applications close 20th November and a brief description of the role is below. Further details are available in the advert.
Jobs in Weed Science Available at University of Sydney
For more information, follow this link: Weed Agronomy Biology & Ecology positions.
NCC’s Bushfire Conference 2017 AND Fire and Restoration Network
All the details you could ever need, right here.
CEST2017 – Second Call for Abstracts
The 15th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology wants your submissions! Deadline 31st December 2016.
Visit the Conference website here.
New Publications
Identifying key sedimentary indicators of geomorphic structure and function of upland swamps in the Blue Mountains for use in condition assessment and monitoring
By: Cowley, Kirsten L., Kirstie A. Fryirs, and Grant C. Hose. Catena 147 (2016): 564-577. | Find with Google Scholar »The environmental impact of sewage and wastewater outfalls in Antarctica: An example from Davis station, East Antarctica
By: Stark, Jonathan S., Patricia A. Corbett, Glenn Dunshea, Glenn Johnstone, Catherine King, Julie A. Mondon, Michelle L. Power, Angelingifta Samuel, Ian Snape, and Martin Riddle. Water Research 105 (2016): 602-614. | Find with Google Scholar »Effects of TORC1 Inhibition during the Early and Established Phases of Polycystic Kidney Disease
By: Ta, Michelle HT, Kristina G. Schwensen, Sheryl Foster, Mayuresh Korgaonkar, Justyna E. Ozimek-Kulik, Jacqueline K. Phillips, Anthony Peduto, and Gopala K. Rangan. PloS one 11, no. 10 (2016): e0164193. | Find with Google Scholar »Identifying N-Glycan Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer by Mass Spectrometry
By: Sethi, Manveen K., William S. Hancock, and Susan Fanayan. Accounts of Chemical Research 49, no. 10 (2016): 2099-2106. | Find with Google Scholar »Protein folding alterations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
By: Parakh, Sonam, and Julie D. Atkin. Brain research (2016). | Find with Google Scholar »Vegetation plays an important role in mediating future water resources
By: Ukkola, A. M., T. F. Keenan, D. I. Kelley, and I. C. Prentice. Environmental Research Letters 11, no. 9 (2016): 094022. | Find with Google Scholar »Broad activation of latent HIV-1 in vivo
By: Barton, K., Hiener, B., Winckelmann, A., Rasmussen, T.A., Shao, W., Byth, K., Lanfear, R., Solomon, A., McMahon, J., Harrington, S. and Buzon, M., 2016. Nature Communications, 7 (2016), p.12731. | Find with Google Scholar »Hydrolysis of Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), Attractants: Kinetics and Implications for Biological Activity
By: Park, Soo J., Matthew S. Siderhurst, Ian Jamie, and Phillip W. Taylor. Australian Journal of Chemistry (2016). | Find with Google Scholar »Probabilistic divergence time estimation without branch lengths: dating the origins of dinosaurs, avian flight, and crown birds
By: Lloyd, G. T., Bapst, D. W., Friedman, M. and Davis, K. E., 2016. Biology Letters, 12, 20160609. | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
Darrell Kemp spoke on ABC National radio
Dr Darrell Kemp from the Department of Biological Sciences spoke on ABC National radio about evolutionary genetics in relation to the “boutique” dog breeding industry.
Rob Harcourt was interviewed on 2GB’s Sydney Live program and 2EC
Professor Rob Harcourt from the Department of Biological Sciences was interviewed on 2GB’s Sydney Live program on the record number of whales that are appearing on the NSW coast line as they migrate to the Antarctic. See page 2 of the report. He was also featured on 2EC in further coverage on the record number of whales that are appearing on the NSW coast line as they migrate to the Antarctic. See page 2 of this report.
Sherrie Chambers was interviewed for ABC radio
Sherrie Chambers, PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences, was interviewed for ABC radio about her lab’s work with Port Jackson sharks and her groups’ collaboration with Taronga Conservation Society Australia on their educational program ‘Project Shark’.
And;
Last week Sherrie did an interview for Lateral magazine for a profile column on early career researchers, due to come out in the first week of December.