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The Drift
October 12, 2007

Carol Freeman, Editor
Submissions to The Drift need to be submitted by 5:00 pm on Thursday to:
eebdept@email.arizona.edu

Please reference the word “Drift” in the subject line.

-In This Edition–
EEB Department News
    Monday Seminar Series
    Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series
    Journal Club Meeting
    EEB Faculty in the News
    Congratulations to the Mendez Family
News from Other Areas
    Neurobiology Discussion Group
    Dept. of Entomology Seminar Series
    Center for Insect Science Special Seminars
    Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research Talk
    Sequencing Technology Seminar
    LifeSciences Computing Workshops
    News from the UA Library
Fellowship/Employment Opportunities 
    Recruiting BioME Graduate Fellows
    Laboratory Opportunity in EEB for Undergraduate Student
    Ecology Positions – University of Dayton
General Announcements
    Group Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance
    Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology - Dominica, West Indies
    Emily Krauz Staff Endowment Scholarship
    Plastic 55 Gallon Containers - FREE

Date:            October 15, 2007
Time:            4:30 pm
Location:       Biosciences West, Room 301
 
Dr. Melanie Culver
University of Arizona
http://www.ag.arizona.edu/srnr/research/coop/azfwru/melanie/

Intraspecific Molecular Taxonomy - Examples from Mammals and Molluscs
 
Defining taxonomic units, below the species-level, has evoked heated discussions as to taxonomic relevance.  However, the relevance of intraspecific subdivision to evolution is clear since evolution occurs at the population-level.  Intraspecific molecular taxonomy was analyzed rangewide for pumas Puma concolor (North and South America), and regionally for ambersnails Oxyloma sp. (Arizona and Utah).  The results, in both cases, led to combining of previous taxonomic units, due to evidence of gene flow over large distances. The results of these two studies, and their implications regarding the Endangered Species Act, will be discussed.  If time permits, preliminary results will be discussed for two new similar studies – in the Arizona water shrew (Sorex palustris), and Arizona mussels (Anodonta sp.).

Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series

Date:            October 16, 2007
Time:            12:30 pm
Location:       Biosciences West, Room 208
 
Nathan G. Swenson
EEB Graduate Student
 
Functional convergence, divergence and co-existence in a Neotropical dry forest community

Journal Club Meeting
 
Date:            October 26, 2007
Time:            3:00 – 4:30 pm
Location:       Biosciences West, Room 347
                   (Biochemistry Conference Room)
 
There will be a journal club meeting on the paper "The frailty of adaptive hypotheses for the origins of organismal complexity" by Michael Lynch.  The paper can be found at www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0702207104v1
 
All are welcome for what promises to be a very lively and critical discussion. Please read the paper in advance in order to participate fully.  For additional information, please contact Joanna Masel at masel@email.arizona.edu.

EEB Faculty in the News
 
Andy Cohen, Peter Reinthal, and David Dettman (Dept. of Geosciences), were featured in an article published in the Thursday, October 11th edition of the Arizona Daily Star.  The article is entitled “Drought pushed ancient African migration”, and can be viewed at http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/205715.

Congratulations to the Mendez Family
 
Fernando Mendez (EEB graduate student) and Monica Meilerman are happy to share the news of the birth of their first baby, Marina Laura. Marina was born on Wednesday, October 3rd at Tucson Medical Center.  She is a very healthy baby, and both mom and dad are busy trying to catch a bit of sleep.
 
Congratulations to the happy family!

Neurobiology Discussion Group
 
Date:            October 15, 2007
Time:            12:00 Noon
Location:       Gould-Simpson, Room 601

Dr.  Lynn Nadel
Regents' Professor, Psychology
University of Arizona

Memory Consolidation: Fixation or Transformation?

Dept. of Entomology Seminar Series
 
Date:            October 18, 2007
Time:            4:00 pm
Location:       Marley Auditorium, Room 230
 
Dr. Anna Himler
PERT Post-doc
Center for Insect Science
 
Asexuality in the fungus-growing ant Mycocepurus smithii: no sex in fungus-farmers or their crops

Center for Insect Science Special Seminars
 
Prof. Dr. David G. Heckel, Director
Max Planck Instutut für Chemishche Ökologie, Abteilung Entomologie
Beutenberg Campus
Jena, Germany
Faculty Host: Nicholas Strausfeld
 
Date:            October 24, 2007
Time:            4:00 pm*
Location:       Ventana Room, SUMC
 
Evolution Will Find a Way: Insecticide, Bacterial, and Virus Resistance in Insect Pests of Agriculture
 
* Informal Reception at 3:30 pm
------------------------------------------------------
Date:            October 25, 2007
Time:            4:00 pm
Location:       Marley Auditorium, Room 230
 
Frontiers in the Chemical Ecology of Insect-Plant Interactions
 
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with Dr. Heckel, please contact Sharon Richards at insects@arl.arizona.edu

Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research Talk
 
Date:            October 24, 2007
Time:            12:00 Noon
Location:       Math East/Tree-Ring West, Room 20
 
Ron Towner
LTRR
University of Arizona
 
Dendroarchaeology of the Range Creek Fremont  

Sequencing Technology Seminar
Sponsored by GATC and HOGL
 
Date:            October 22, 2007
Time:            10:00 – 11:30 am
Location:       Keating Bioresearch Bldg.
 
Janine McMurdie, MS
SOLiD Applications Consultant
 
For detailed information, please visit http://biotech.arl.arizona.edu/education/events/2007/solidseq.html

LifeSciences Computing Workshops
 
The BCF has scheduled a series of hands-on LifeSciences Computing Workshops during October and November.  The workshops will run from one-three days, two-three hours/day.  We have space for 10 individuals. The workshops will be held in the relocated BCF computer lab in the Keating Building #111.  These workshops can be customized to your specific needs.  To request a workshop on a particular topic, email bcf@arl.arizona.edu.
 
For specific details and registration information, visit http://bcf.arl.arizona.edu/bcfworkshops.

News from the UA Library
 
MathWorks Site-License
The University of Arizona has acquired a site-license for various MathWorks products.   The software can be downloaded from http://sitelicense.arizona.edu/matlab/ by any University of Arizona faculty, staff or student with a NetID.  The site-license includes MATLAB, Simulink, plus 48 toolboxes.  This license is available for one year. At the end of the one year term, partners will assess continuance of the project.
 
There are three products that are not included in the site-license:
Extended Symbolic Math Toolbox
MATLAB Distributed Computing Engine
Symbolic Math Toolbox
 
If you have any concerns or questions, please call UITS Computing and Network Support at 621-4357 or send an email to support@email.arizona.edu and a Support Systems Analyst will contact you.
 
RefWorks Walk-in Clinics
The library is offering walk-in workshops this fall to introduce you to the basics of RefWorks. The workshops will be held in the Main Library, Information Commons Computer Classroom A112 (Map: http://www.library.arizona.edu/documents/ust/ilc-map-color.pdf). Sessions will be held on:
-Tuesday Oct 23rd 10:00 - 11:30 PM
-Thursday Nov 8th 12:30 - 2:00PM
No reservations needed -- Just show up!
 
If you cannot make these open sessions, contact Elizabeth Kline, EEB librarian, for a consultation at klinee@email.arizona.edu or 621-6375.

 Recruiting BioME Graduate Fellows
Application Due Date: October 29, 2007
 
BioME (Biodiversity from Molecules to Ecosystems) creates one-year partnerships between UA life science graduate students and K-12 science teachers. Fellows help plan science units and projects, assist with lesson development and implementation, and guide students in inquiry-based activities and research projects. Through the program, fellows will become better communicators of scientific concepts and methods, while teachers and their students will benefit from enriched science content and develop a better understanding of the process of scientific research.
 
BioME graduate fellows work with their teacher partners throughout the school year (~15 hours per week) and receive a $30,000 stipend, plus additional funds for university fees and benefits.
 
For more details about the BioME program, including application information, please visit the website at http://biome.bio5.org or contact Kathleen Walker (BioME graduate coordinator) at krwalker@ag.arizona.edu.

Laboratory Opportunity in EEB for Undergraduate Student
 
The laboratory of Dr. Richard Michod (http://www.eebweb.arizona.edu/Michod/) is seeking a motivated, responsible undergraduate to work 10-15 hours/week for pay ($7.50/hr) or research credit in Fall 2007 - Spring 2008. The selected individual will be assisting in a project exploring the causes of a major evolutionary transition, the transition from unicellular life to multicellular organisms. Lab experience is preferred, but not required. Training will be provided.
 
To apply, please send a brief email of interest and CV (or list of courses taken) to Matt Herron: mherron@email.arizona.edu.

Ecology Positions – University of Dayton
 
The Department of Biology at the University of Dayton invites applications for two Assistant Professor tenure-track faculty positions in Environmental Ecology and Community/Conservation Ecology to begin August 2008.  These two positions are supportive of the Biology/Environmental Biology Degree programs and the Sustainability, Energy and the Environment (SEE) initiatives at the University of Dayton.
 
For detailed information and application procedures, please visit http://udbiology.com/cms/upload/documents/299.pdf

Group Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance
 
The Office of Human Resources is pleased to announce a new benefit initiative for Group Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance. The goal is to select a provider and offer this new employee benefit next spring.
 
Members of the University community and their spouses/partners are invited to attend an educational overview during October and November to learn more about how this product might fit into their personal financial planning. This overview will be offered several times in various University locations. For information about caregiving, LTC Insurance and to register for one of these educational sessions, please visit our website at http://www.hr.arizona.edu/04_cb/ltc/.

Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology - Dominica, West Indies
 
The Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology in Dominica, West Indies has received new grant monies for 2008 programs, and is now offering scholarships of up to $4,000 off tuition for students with demonstrated financial need.  The Institute also hosts visiting student groups at their modern, spacious field station. Dominica's varied marine and rainforest topographies are often of interest to botanists, ornithologists, herpetologists, and geologists.
 
Detailed information on the Institute and their various programs can be found by visiting their website at http://www.itme.org.

Emily Krauz Staff Endowment Scholarship
Application Deadline:  November 1, 2007
 
The Emily Krauz Staff Endowment Scholarship is open to any benefits-eligible UA classified staff member. The purpose of the fund is to encourage and support UA career staff members toward their career advancement and/or education.  This scholarship can be applied toward educational expenses such as registration costs, books and supplies. Class registration may be at the UA, including correspondence courses, or Pima Community College.
 
Details about the scholarship are available at http://fp.arizona.edu/sac/krauz_scholarship/Emily_Krauz_brochure.pdf.
 
On-line application form is available at: http://fp.arizona.edu/sac/krauz_scholarship/application.html

Plastic 55 Gallon Containers – FREE
 
Plastic 55 gallon containers - FREE. These containers previously contained liquids for dishwasher sterilization. There are approximately six available containers. Please contact Stacy Elliott if you are interested, smm@email.arizona.edu.