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The Drift
August 24, 2007

Carol Freeman, Editor
Submissions to The Drift need to be submitted by 5pm on Thursday to:
eebdept@email.arizona.edu

-In This Edition–
EEB Department News
    Monday Seminar Series
    Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series
    EEB Grant Award Announcement
    Do You Work at Tumamoc?
    Benefits Fair on Monday
News from Other Areas
    Entomology Seminar Series
    Flow Cytometry Analysis Seminar
    Venom Week 2007
    Fall HexaPodium “Data-Blitz”
Course Announcements – Fall 2007
    ENTO 596A: Presentation Skills I
Employment Opportunities
    Student Laboratory Assistant – Entomology Department
    Graduate Assistant Position – Educational Outreach
    Research Assistant - UA School of Information Resources and Library Science
Meetings
    Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium
General Announcements
    Grant Funding Available
    Seeking Science Fair Judges   

Monday Seminar Series
 
Date:            August 27, 2007
Time:            4:30 pm
Location:       Biosciences West, Room 301
 
Dr. Doris Bachtrog
UCSD
http://www-biology.ucsd.edu/faculty/bachtrog.html
http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/labs/bachtrog
Host: Dr. Therese Markow
 
Y chromosome degeneration and the evolution of dosage compensation

Ancient Y-chromosomes of various organisms show highly reduced levels of genetic activity and an abundance of repetitive DNA. In response, dosage compensation has evolved in many species with heterogametic sex chromosomes, to equalize expression levels of X-linked genes in males and females. The neo-Y chromosome of Drosophila miranda is in transition from an ordinary autosome to a genetically inert Y chromosome, while its homolog, the neo-X chromosome, is evolving partial dosage compensation. I will present DNA sequence and gene expression data of neo-sex linked genes in D. miranda, and link molecular degeneration of the neo-Y chromosome to the acquisition of dosage compensation on the neo-X.

For an appointment with Dr. Bachtrog, please contact Dr. Markow, tmarkow@arl.arizona.edu.

This seminar is sponsored by the ADVANCE Young Scientist Lecture Series (NSF Grant No. SBE-0548130).  For more information about UA ADVANCE and the Young Scientist Lecture Series, please visit their website at www.advance.arizona.edu.

Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series

Date:            August 28, 2007
Time:            12:30 pm
Location:       Biosciences West, Room 208
 
Cortland Griswold, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Masel Lab

Hypothesis testing in comparative and experimental studies of characters that are function-valued

EEB Grant Award Announcement
 
EEBers Amy Angert, Larry Venable and Travis Huxman have received a National Science Foundation award.  This is a three year project entitled, "Phenotypic Constraints and Community Structure: Linking Intraspecific and Interspecific Tradeoffs".
 
Congratulations Amy, Larry and Travis!

Do You Work at Tumamoc?

A lot of mysterious flagging has recently appeared on Judie Bronstein's long-term barrel cactus study site at Tumamoc Hill. The site is on the flat part of Tumamoc, near Greasewood Rd. The flags are tied to bushes throughout the area. If this is your flagging, or you have any information about it, please contact Michele Lanan at lanan@email.arizona.edu as soon as possible. We need to know what's happening on our study site!

Benefits Fair on Monday

Date:            August 27, 2007
Time:            10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location:       North Ballroom, SUMC
 
Please attend the Benefits Fair to get additional information about available benefit options!

Entomology Seminar Series
 
Date:            August 30, 2007
Time:            4:00 pm
Location:       Marley Auditorium, Room 230
 
Dr. Judith Becerra
University of Arizona
 
The evolutionary play and the ecological theater: Blepharida beetles and their Bursera hosts

Flow Cytometry Analysis Seminar
Hosted by Flow Cytometry Shared Service
 
Date:            August 30, 2007
Time:            10:00 am – Noon
Location:       AHSC 5403

Aaron Hart
Application Scientist
Tree Star, Inc.

For additional information, please contact Barb Carolus, 621-2047.

Venom Week 2007
 
Dates:          September 3-7, 2007
Location:       Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort and
                        Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM)
 
Venom Week 2007 will be an international conference on terrestrial venomous creatures, their venom, and the medical effects of venom.  It will provide attending practitioners and researchers the most up-to-date information on the animals themselves and on treatment of snakebite, scorpion sting, and spider bite.
 
For additional information and registration information, visit http://www.ocme.arizona.edu, or contact the Office of Continuing Medical Education, 626-7832, uofacme@u.arizona.edu.
 
This conference is sponsored by The University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy in conjunction with Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, ASDM, Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M-Kingsville, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of New Mexico, and University of Arizona Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology and Emergency Response Institute.

Fall HexaPodium “Data-Blitz”
 
Date:            September 7, 2007
Time:            5:00 pm
Location:       Tucson Botanical Gardens
                    2150 N. Alvernon Way
 
The Center for Insect Science Data-Blitz will be followed by a dinner buffet.  Please bring a beverage of your choice.  Everything else will be provided.  Please RSVP by September 5.
 
For additional information, or to RSVP, please contact insects@arel.arizona.edu.

ENTO 596A: Presentation Skills I
(1 credit seminar)
 
Instructor:     Professor Molly Hunter, mhunter@ag.arizona.edu
Day/Time:      F/3:00–4:30 pm, First Meeting-Aug. 31
 
A seminar is an oral presentation or talk, and a seminar is a course that is discussion (rather than lecture) intensive.  Both senses of the word are used here - because this will be a seminar (course) about seminars (talks). 
 
This seminar is designed to provide a forum for discussion of recent seminars (talks) attended, and to start to listen critically for content.
 
Please send an email at mhunter@ag.arizona.edu.  Please let me know whether you definitely want to take it or are just thinking about it, and whether you can make the proposed meeting time of Friday afternoon.   

Student Laboratory Assistant – Entomology Department
 
Our laboratory is investigating the outcrossing of traditional cotton varieties by transgenic Bt cotton.  Primary responsibilities of the student assistant will include ELISA analysis of cotton seeds and plant tissues for Bt toxins, data entry in Excel and washing glassware.  The successful candidate may also be trained in bee identification, and may occasionally participate in light field work.  $6.50-$7.00/hour DOE.  This position is for the Fall semester, 10-20 hours/week (flexible schedule).
 
Laboratory experience preferred but not necessary.  Requires attention to detail and ability to do repetitive tasks.  Experience entering data in Microsoft Excel is desirable.  Reliable work habits.  Interest in plant science, entomology, or biotechnology. 
 
To apply, please visit the Entomology Department main office (410 Forbes Bldg.) for an application.  Additionally, please email a current resume to Shannon Heuberger at heubergs@ag.arizona.edu
 
For additional information, please contact Shannon Heuberger at heubergs@ag.arizona.edu, 621-5346.

Graduate Assistant Position - Educational Outreach
 
The Office of Early Academic Outreach and Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) are seeking a graduate assistant to develop and administrate hands-on math and science curriculum for use by middle and high school teachers in an after-school program.  Background in a relevant field plus teaching experience desired.  Please contact Abra McAndrew, mcandrew@email.arizona.edu, 626-2358 for application information.

Research Assistant – UA School of Information Resources and Library Science
 
An assistant professor from the School of Information Resources and Library Science is looking for one (1) research assistant with background in computer science.  The research assistant will set up a Web server to support several biodiversity databases and program in Java and several scripting languages such as Perl and Python for biodiversity informatics and Semantic Web applications.
 
Individual must have experience with Java and at least one scripting language. S/he should also have experience in Web server administration and Web site construction. Background in systematic biology is a plus.
 
This position requires the research assistant to work 10 hours/week with standard benefits for graduate assistantships (tuition reduction; salary; health benefits; etc).
 
If interested, please email a short letter of intent and resume to hongcui@email.arizona.edu.

Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium

Date:            Saturday, October 6, 2007
Time:            8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location:       Marley Auditorium, Room 230
                   University of Arizona
 
Registration: $10 for students; $20 for all others (lunch included)
Registration Deadline: September 24, 2007; Earlier registration will assist event planning.
 
Poster Submission Deadline: September 14, 2007
We have space for only 24 posters, and poster abstracts will be accepted in order of submission.

The fourth annual Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium will feature invited speakers presenting recent research on the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, University of Arizona Santa Rita Experimental Range and other outdoor laboratories.  There will also be a poster session where students and researchers are encouraged to report on completed or in-progress studies.  Time will be available for questions from the audience. 

Please use the web site http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/rise/ to view the RISE program, to register for the symposium, and to submit poster titles

Grant Funding Available
 
For over 10 years the offices of Dean of Students and Student Affairs have administered grants to UA faculty and staff to support student learning outside of the classroom and to further collaboration among groups across campus.  Each of these grants is founded on research which supports the claim that the more contact students have with faculty outside of the classroom, the more likely they will persist in school and graduate.  The grants available are:
 
-The award-winning Student/Faculty Interaction Grants program provides funds to faculty for various activities with students outside of the classroom, allowing participants to interact in a social setting, and reducing students’ feelings of intimidation around faculty members.
 
-The Xerox Grant Fund complements the academic mission of the UA by supporting events which enrich the out of classroom experience for students. Funding is available for both academic and co-curricular activities, with an emphasis on diversity-related programming, leadership development, and connecting students with faculty.
 
-The IKON/HP Grant Fund acts as an outreach to the educational mission of the UA and IKON/HP through the funding of events, activities, programs and outreach efforts involving collaboration between UA faculty, staff, students, university associations and recognized student organizations.
 
Applications must be received at least 10 business days prior to the proposed activity, are generally due the first Friday of the month, the next deadline being September 7, 2007, and are available at: http://www.studentaffairs.arizona.edu/grants.php.  Deadlines for the academic year are available at: http://www.studentaffairs.arizona.edu/grants_criteria.php
 
Applications may be submitted online, or picked up from Admin 401, and returned via campus mail, or by faxing the pdf application, also available online, to (520) 621-3766. For further questions, contact Lynette Cook Francis at (520) 621-3772, or via email: lynettec@email.arizona.edu
 
Student Affairs recognizes and thanks the UA BookStores and the UA Parents and Family Association for their continued support of the S/FI program. Sincere appreciation is also extended to both Xerox and IKON/HP for their very generous support.

Seeking Science Fair Judges
December 13, 2007
 
Corona Foothills Middle School, in the Vail School District, is looking for volunteers to help judge projects for their science fair. Volunteers would need to participate in a two hour training session (date and time TBA) and be available on December 13, 2007 to judge the student projects. Judging will take approximately five hours and lunch will be provided. If you are interested, please contact Christine In-Albon at 879-3579 (voice mail only) or inalbonc@vail.k12.az.us.  Thank you.