Sign up for the Drift (to have it emailed to you every week)


Previous issues of the Drift

(Drift archives go back to 1995-1996)

The Drift
August 31, 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
    Labor Day Holiday Reminder
    Welcome Shanley Yates
    Monday Seminar Series
    Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series
    EEB Dissertation Final Oral Presentation
    Congratulations to Don Falk
    EEB Polo Shirts
    Benefits Sign-up Reminder
News from Other Areas
    Undergraduate Research Opportunities
    Venom Week 2007
    Fall HexaPodium “Data-Blitz”
    Business Community Open Forum
Employment Opportunities
    BIO 202 Instructor – Pima Community College
    Quantitative/Theoretical Ecologist – University of Chicago
Meetings
    Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium
General Announcements
    Grant Funding Available
    Seeking Science Fair Judges  

Labor Day Holiday Reminder
 
The EEB front office will be closed for the Labor Day holiday beginning at 3:00 pm on Friday, August 31st.  We will reopen on Tuesday, September 4th at 8:00 a.m.
 
Have you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Welcome Shanley Yates
 
Shanley Yates has joined EEB as the new Administrative Associate to Rick Michod.  Her contact information is shanley@email.arizona.edu, or 621-7509.  If you have not yet had the chance to meet her, please stop by BSW 306 and introduce yourself.
 
Welcome Shanley, we are glad to have you on board!

Monday Seminar Series
 
No seminar due to the Labor Day Holiday.  Seminar will resume on September 10, 2007.

Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series

Date:            September 4, 2007
Time:            12:30 pm
Location:       Biosciences West, Room 208
 
Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
QEII Research Fellow
Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
University of Melbourne, Australia
 
Evolution of an arsenal: Diversification of the reptile venom system
 
Abstract: Despite the importance of venom as a key innovation underlying the evolution of Toxicofera reptiles (Anguimorpha + Iguania lizards and Serpentes, very little is known about venom system structural diversification, toxin recruitment event timings or toxin molecular evolution. A multidisciplinary approach was employed to examine the diversification of the reptile venom system and associated toxins across the full-range of the ~200 million year old Toxicofera clade. Analysis of cDNA libraries revealed complex venom transcriptomes comprising multiple toxin types. High levels of sequence diversity were observed in the transcripts for most toxin types and included mutations in the structural and functional residues, changes in cysteine spacing, and major  deletions, indicative of neofunctionalisations. Morphological analysis comprising gross dissection, histology and magnetic resonance imaging also demonstrated extensive modification of the venom system architecture, such as the multi-compartment architecture of the Komodo Dragon mandibular venom gland or the extreme morphological diversity between the various families of non-front fanged advanced snakes.  Further a reduction in the size and complexity of the venom system was observed in advanced snake species in which constriction has been secondarily evolved as the preferred method of prey capture or dietary preference has switched from live-prey to eggs or to slugs/snails. Investigation of the timing of toxin recruitment events indicates that the evolution of advanced venom systems in three front-fanged snake lineages are associated with recruitment of new toxin types or explosive diversification of existing toxin types. These results support the role of venom as a key evolutionary innovation in the diversification of Toxicofera reptiles and identify a potential role for unexplored venom clades as lead compounds for drug design and development.

EEB Dissertation Final Oral Presentation
 
Date:            September 10, 2007
Time:            9:00 am
Location:       Library Special Collections, Room 205
 
J. Alexander Eilts
Candidate for the degree of:       Doctor of Philosophy
With a major in:                        Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
With a minor in:                        Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
 
The physiological ecology of exploitation competition.

Congratulations to Don Falk
 
EEB would like to congratulate Don Falk, former EEB graduate student, on his new appointment as Associate Professor in the School of Natural Resources effective July 1, 2007.  He will continue his work in fire science as well as develop a new curriculum area in restoration ecology.  He looks forward to his continued collaborations with his EEB colleagues.
 
Congratulations Don!

EEB Polo Shirts
Orders Due by Wednesday, September 5, 4:30 pm
 
With the beginning of the new 2007-2008 school year, the office will be placing another order for EEB polo shirts. The total price is $22.65/shirt.  If you are interested, please stop in BSW 310 to place your order with Lili Schwartz.  You will need to let her know your color choice and size.  Payment is due at time of order.

Benefits Sign-up Reminder
Enrollment continues through September 10th

All benefit-eligible employees must re-enroll to ensure the continuation of benefit coverage after September 30, 2007.  Additional information is available at: http://www.benefitoptions.az.gov.
 
Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment for 2008 participation will be held at a later date.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities
 
One of the reasons outstanding undergraduates select The University of Arizona is the opportunity to become involved in the scholarship and creative activities that are the hallmark of our campus.  Such experiences stimulate students’ motivation, sharpen their academic interests, enhance self esteem and confidence, and offer profound learning moments.  The Honors College invites you to participate in our Undergraduate Research Opportunities program which enables Honors students to work with faculty on their research and scholarship.
 
The Honors College maintains a listing on our website of faculty members who are willing to have Honors students assist with their projects.  Only Honors students can access this listing.  If you could use assistance in your scholarly pursuits from a talented, motivated undergraduate, please contact the Honors College at 621-6901.

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.

Business Community Open Forum
 
Date:            September 12, 2007
Time:            2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location:       Student Union, South Ballroom
 
Brian Seastone of UAPD and Steve Holland of Risk Management and Safety will be discussing "Disasters and Business Continuity: Planning for the Unexpected".
 
The Business Community Open Forum is held quarterly and is open to anyone at the University who has an interest in the UA's business policies and processes.    

BIO 202 Instructor
Pima Community College
 
Wanted ASAP: Adjunct faculty member to teach an anatomy & physiology course, BIO 202, at Pima Community College, NW campus.  This course begins October 18 and runs through December 16. This eight-week course meets Saturday-Sunday, from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm.  Please contact Dr. Cheryl Blake at 206-2299 or cblake@pima.edu.

Quantitative/Theoretical Ecologist
University of Chicago

The University of Chicago Department of Ecology & Evolution is seeking to fill a tenure track faculty position with an individual working at the interface of theory and data in ecology.  Rank is open, with a preference for ASSISTANT or ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR.  Interested applicants with a PhD should submit a CV, selected reprints and preprints, and statements of research and teaching interests to http://ecologysearch.uchicago.edu.  Applicants should also arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted to this site.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but applications and letters should be received before 17 September 2007 to ensure full consideration.  The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
 
For additional information, please contact Julie Steffen at ecologysearch@pondside.uchicago.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.