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The Drift

December 14, 2007

 

Shanley Yates, Editor

Submissions to The Drift need to be submitted by 5pm on Thursday to:

eebdept@email.arizona.edu

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

 

~In This Edition~

EEB Department News
College of Science Commencement Ceremony - TODAY

Front Office Holiday Closure Reminder

Mail Service During Holiday Closure

Housing Needed for Brazilian Visiting Student

Toys For Tots – Until Thursday, Dec 20th!

Monday Seminar Series
Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series

Faculty Award Announcements

American Ornithologists Union Research Awards for Women

Student Grant Announcements

Biodiversity travel grants

Spring 2008 Course Announcements

New Symbiosis Course in Spring 2008

New ECOL 495/596H Course In Spring 2008

Ways to Volunteer

SAC Collecting Personal Items for Primavera

EITC Program is looking for Volunteer Tax Preparers

Fellowship/Employment Opportunities

The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Science and Society Fellows Program

ISBE Job Announcements
Educational Programs Paid Internship - Tumacacori National Historical Park

Internship & Volunteering Opportunities – Madagascar
CEDO Field Education Internship

       

College of Science Commencement Ceremony

You are cordially invited to attend the College of Science Commencement Ceremony
 
TODAY, December 14th, Centennial Hall @ 10:30 a.m. reception to follow. If you could arrive at 10:15 a.m., that will ease the process.
For more information please call Christina Dentel, 626-1092 or cdentel@email.arizona.edu

 

Front Office Holiday Closure Reminder

 

As a reminder, the EEB front office as well as most UA offices will be closed during the holidays, beginning on Friday, December 21st at Noon.  The office will re-open for business at 8:00 a.m. on January 2nd, 2008.  During this closure time mail will not be delivered to EEB nor will any deliveries be made to the department.  Please keep this in mind when placing equipment and supply orders.

Mail Service During Holiday Closure

 

This year’s holiday closure begins Monday, December 24, 2007 and will reopen Wednesday, January 02, 2008.

During the closure period there will be no mail delivery to the MAIN CAMPUS. However, University Postal Services will sort incoming mail daily from the U.S. Postal Services. Departments wishing to pick up their mail during the closure must notify University Postal Services in writing, of their intention to do so. University Postal Services must receive the written notification no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 14, 2007.

During the closure the following instructions apply:

¨        Mail must be picked up no later than 11:00 am;

¨        Personnel picking up mail will be required to show University ID;

¨        Personnel picking up mail must take all mail for the department (no individual caller service);

¨        There will be no inter-campus or outbound mail processing; and

¨        The College of Medicine’s outbound mail processing facility will be closed.

Mail received during the holiday closure will be delivered when regular mail processing resumes on Wednesday, January 2, 2008.

If you have questions regarding mail delivery, please contact University Postal Services at 621-7939

 

Housing Needed for Brazilian Visiting Student

 

Monica Shimabukuro is a visiting PhD student at the Saleska's Lab and she is looking for a housing. She needs a place to stay for 3-weeks starting January 6, 2008. Walking distance preferred.

 

Please contact Monica (takako@dsr.inpe.br) or Natalia (ncoupe@email.arizona.edu) if you know of any openings or apartments becoming available. You could also call the Saleska's Lab (520) 626 5838.

Thank you for your help.

 

Toys For Tots – Until Thursday, Dec 20th!

EEB is accepting new, unwrapped toys that can be dropped off at the Front Office of BSW 310 until Thursday, December 20th.  The national Toys for Tots program collects toys for children for the holidays.

The program, run by the Marine Corps Reserve since 1947, has become a mainstay throughout communities around the country. When the Marine Corps Reserves was called on to take a large role in national security during the 1970s, officials decided to accept only new, unwrapped toys to speed up the distribution process. In 1991 the Toys for Tots Foundation was created with the sole purpose of collecting new toys for children.

 

Monday Seminar Series
 

No seminars for the remainder of the semester.

Tuesday “Noon” Seminar Series

No seminars for the remainder of the semester.

 

American Ornithologists Union Research Awards for Women

 

ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED:                Research or Dissertation

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND REQUIRED: Graduate Students

                                                 Undergraduate Students

CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED:                 U.S. Citizens

                                                 Permanent U.S. Residents

                                                 Non U.S. Citizens/Residents

RESTRICTIONS:                            Women

DEADLINES ANNOUNCED:                02/04/2008

 

American Ornithologists Union

Suite 402

1313 Dolley Madison Boulevard

McLean, VA  22101

E-mail:   membershipawards@aou.org

Web Site: http://www.aou.org/

E-Forms:  http://www.aou.org/student/researchaward.php3

 

Biodiversity Travel Grants

 

Announcing the first annual “Grants for Biodiversity Collections Enhancement”

 

As part of the Biodiversity Informatics Initiative at UA, sponsored by BIO5, the College of Science, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, we are pleased to announce the availability of research travel mini-grants for graduate students and post-docs. The aim of this program is to support research travel that will result in deposition of specimens in UA natural history collections. For each award, up to $2500 will be provided for travel expenses, which may be used to cover transportation, lodging, per diem, permits, and expendable collecting supplies.  Up to five proposals may be selected for funding.

 

Specimens should be professionally prepared, identified, labeled with precise locality data (GPS geo-referenced), and submitted to the appropriate natural history collection on campus. Furthermore, the set of collections should be substantial.  For example, funding to support field work involving vascular plants could easily be expected to provide at least one hundred scientifically important collections. For critical species for which physical collection is not possible, appropriately annotated photographic vouchers may be substituted. In that case, the relevant natural history collection must be granted rights to database and redistribute such digital images. 

 

All data, including label details and any images, must be provided in a form that can be deposited in the collection’s online database resource, providing open access to the global research community.  Proposals without explicit plans for data availability will not be considered.

 

To apply, send the following information electronically to Shelley McMahon, Chair, Biodiversity Travel Grant Committee at mcmahonm@email.arizona.edu.

 

[1]              Summary of proposed travel (two single-spaced pages maximum), addressing the following specific criteria:

 

a.      Scientific importance of the proposed collections.  Include in this section evidence of the scientific value of these collections.  For example, a search of online databases may reveal that an area is undercollected, or a taxon of interest is poorly represented.  Additionally, if the collections will benefit particular research projects, including thesis or dissertation projects, describe this in detail. 

b.      Data availability.  Provide a description of the accessibility of materials and data once deposited in the collection, including a demonstrated understanding of the targeted collection and its data access policy.

c.      Number of proposed collections.

d.      Feasibility of project, especially including demonstrated understanding of any necessary permitting issues. Copies of applicable permits must be submitted to the appropriate collection's curator at the time specimens are deposited.

 

[2]              Detailed budget and budget justification (one page maximum).  If per diem is requested, standard University rates should be used.

[3]              C.V.

[4]              Letter of support from Major/Faculty Advisor

 

Please include [1]-[3] as a single PDF file. The letter of support may be sent separately by the advisor. Applications are due no later than 5pm, Friday, December 14, 2007. Awards will be announced by January 15, 2008. Awarded funds must be spent by June 30, 2008, and specimens should be deposited no later than September 31, 2008 (extensions for this aspect may be granted under special circumstances).

 

For questions regarding the grant program, please contact Shelley McMahon or Mike Sanderson (sanderm@email.arizona.edu).  For questions regarding the natural history collections on campus, including advice on professional collection preparation and deposition requirements, as well as access to information on current collections and ideas for collections enhancement, please contact the collections directly (if needed, email the committee chair for further contact information).

 

New Symbiosis Course in Spring 2008

 

Next semester Dr. S. Patricia Stock will be offering a Seminar on "Symbiosis".  ENTO 596-A (SMR-2) Date and time TBA

The goal of this Seminar Series will be to gain an appreciation of the importance of symbiotic interactions in extant organisms, ecological systems, and evolutionary processes. Topics from the community level to molecular aspects of these relationships will be considered.

 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. S. Patricia Stock

Assistant Professor / Adjunct Professor Department of Entomology / Plant Sciences

Voice: (520) 626-3854

Lab: (520) 621-1317

e-mail: spstock@ag.arizona.edu

 

New ECOL 495/596H Course In Spring 2008

ECOL496H/596H Complex systems: networks and self-organization in biology

 

2 credit graduate seminar, starting Wednesday 01/23/08, 3pm-4:50pm.

 

Check out the course website for more information:

http://eebweb.arizona.edu/Faculty/Dornhaus/courses/ecol596h.html

 

What is a complex system? What does networks theory have to do with biology? Biologists have discovered that many biological systems, from embryos to ecosystems, can be considered "complex systems", in that many units interact without central control to form complicated patterns. How do such patterns arise? What can we learn from a 'holistic', system-wide approach?

 

We will discuss current and classic literature on complex systems research at multiple levels, including gene regulatory networks, neural net(work)s, ecological networks, and social networks. We will try to identify the commonalities of these systems and what is so exciting about 'systems biology'. We will also discuss what types of models are used to describe and study self-organization and networks in general.

Students will be allowed to pick some topics for the course that are most relevant to their interests - the schedule below is therefore preliminary and flexible.

 

SAC Collecting Personal Items for Primavera

We have been asked to collect disposable razors and toothbrushes for Primavera participants.  We have several drop off areas around campus. We plan to also work with Primavera for some future events so get ready to volunteer, Thanks!

Collection areas:
Leon Levy- Cancer Center 1955  (Bldg #222)   Marcy Remington - 520-626-0299
Student Union 411  (Bldg #17)    Claudia Arias - 520-621-2588
Motor pool, 1597 E 16th  (Bldg #498)   Randy Livingston - 520-247-2213
Administration 322K  (Bldg #66)   Mike Millard - 520-626-2411
Gould-Simpson 208  (Bldg #77)   Lauren Bivona - 520-621-2027
University of Arizona South   Russ Robinson - 520-458-8278

EITC Program is looking for Volunteer Tax Preparers

 

The EITC Program, led by the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, is entering its 5th year of free tax preparation specifically serving low-income workers.  During tax year 2006, 137 volunteers helped prepare over 3,400 tax returns that generated over $6 million dollars in refunds for Pima County’s families.  By helping families claim every tax benefit available to them, the volunteers can boost the incomes of working poor families up to 35%.

?       No prior tax experience is required, free tax training provided

?       Volunteers are supervised at all times by tax professionals!

?       Sign up today and gain the immediate satisfaction of giving back to others!

 

If you would like to volunteer to help put money back into the pockets of thousands of Pima County residents, please contact Steven Meyeroff at SMeyeroff@unitedwaytucson.org or call at (520) 903-9000x718

 

The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Science and Society Fellows Program  

 

What is a Science and Society Fellow? 

Fellows are highly qualified University of Arizona (UA) graduate students, primarily in ecology, earth and environmental sciences with active research projects who are funded to develop skills, strategies and products that communicate their research to the public.  The goals of the program are to 1) increase the skills of the Fellow in communicating their research outside of an academic setting; and 2) advance the understanding of scientific information and the scientific process by members of the general public.   The Program uses the Biosphere 2 as a setting for training and outreach related to the Fellow’s own research program.

Who should apply?

Ideal candidates are full-time UA graduate students in ecology, evolution, natural resources, geosciences, geography, hydrology, plant sciences, and soils, water & environmental sciences who have completed at least one year of coursework and have started their research programs.  To be successful, graduate students should have a strong interest in honing their abilities to communicate science effectively to the public, including teachers, students, and community members.  Support from the Fellow’s faculty advisor is important for participation in the program.

What is the Fellow’s stipend?

The Fellow’s award is $3,000 for a 12-month tenure.  In addition, funds will be available to support materials, production costs, and travel to and from UA Biosphere 2.

What are my obligations as a Fellow?

Fellows are expected to spend approximately 10 hours per month in on-campus training seminars and in working with various experts to develop strategies and products (e.g., kiosks, animations, hands-on activities) that communicate core concepts and results of their research to many audiences. In addition, the Fellow is expected to devote three Saturdays during 2008 at Biosphere 2 working with visitors to interpret their own research.

How do I apply?

To apply, you must submit a letter of application, including a 1-page statement outlining your career goals, research question(s), and interest in connecting your research to the public.  Please also include a copy of your graduate coursework transcript and arrange for a letter of recommendation, from your major advisor.  Submit the applications via email to Candace Crossey (crossey@email.arizona.edu).  Applicants will be ranked on their qualifications, demonstrated commitment to public communication of science, relevance of their research to Biosphere 2 programs, and the level of commitment for this activity expressed by their major advisor.  The program is best suited for Ph.D. students, but highly qualified M.S. students are encouraged to apply.  We will begin reviewing application materials on January 18, 2008. We anticipate funding three to four Fellows in late Winter or Spring 2008.

For more information on The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Science and Society Fellows Program, please contact Dr. Travis Huxman (huxman@email.arizona.edu; 626-4092), or visit www.b2science.org.

ISBE Job Announcements

 

Michigan State University - Evolutionary Ecologist

The Department of Zoology at Michigan State University invites applications for an academic year (AY), tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. We seek an individual with excellent quantitative skills to address cutting-edge questions about the evolutionary ecology of animals using field, experimental, and/or theoretical approaches.

 

The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching and research training, participate in MSU's interdepartmental graduate program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior (http://www.msu.edu/~eebb), and maintain a successful, externally funded research program.  Information about the Department of Zoology can be found at http://www.zoology.msu.edu/ .

 

Applicants should have a PhD; postdoctoral experience is desirable.

Application via email is preferred; materials should be sent to zoology@msu.edu.  We would prefer to receive the cover letter, curriculum vitae, a summary of research accomplishments and future objectives, and a description of teaching philosophy and goals as a single PDF file.  Up to three reprints or preprints may be submitted.

Please have three letters of reference sent via email, with signed paper copies sent in parallel to The Evolutionary Ecology Search Committee, Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, Natural Science Building, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1115. The review of applications will begin December 17, 2007 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.  Questions regarding this position may be sent to Tom Getty (getty@msu.edu), Chair of the Search Committee.

 

MSU is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities

 


Postdoctoral Fellow in Aquatic Ecology

A postdoctoral fellow is required to coordinate research activities on predator-prey interactions in aquatic ecosystems at the Ocean Sciences Centre of Memorial University.  Research approaches include behavioral ecology, ecophysiology, and computer modeling to understand the impact of changes in the physical environment on predator-prey interactions.  The successful applicant will have experience in these different research approaches as evidenced by peer reviewed publications.
 
The salary for this position will be at NSERC levels (currently $40,000 per year) with funding available for a maximum of 5 years and may begin as early as February 2008. Go to http://www.mun.ca/osc/Home/employment.php for more details.


Ph.D. in Sturgeon Conservation Ecology

Funding for a Ph.D. student is available to study the conservation ecology of lake sturgeon in Manitoba.  This research is a component of a larger program that is evaluating strategies to mitigate the impact of hydroelectric activity on lake sturgeon in Manitoba, a project led by Dr. Stephen Peake with Drs. Mark Abrahams and Gary Anderson.  The goal of this Ph.D. project is to study a newly introduced population of lake sturgeon in the Assiniboine River as a model system for developing recovery strategies for this species.


Three years of funding are guaranteed at $19,000 per year for three years beginning May 2008.
 
Both positions will be based out of the Ocean Sciences Center (Memorial University of Newfoundland) in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Abrahams (Mark_Abrahams@Umanitoba.ca). 
 

Interested individuals should send by email, cover letters, CV/résumés and the names and contact information of two references on or before January 25, 2008. http://www.mun.ca/osc/Home/

 

 

PhD-student position in behavioral ecology
A 3-year position is open at the Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management (IWJ), Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). The successful applicant will study the role of sexually selected infanticide in a non-social carnivore, the brown bear within a project funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). This project is administrated and carried out by IWJ in cooperation with the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project (SBBRP), which is located at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB). The successful applicant will study infanticide and its evolution in a non-social species in the wild and the impact human harvest has on this behavior. Behavior of and interactions between individual brown bears will be studied with GPS radio-collar technology. Access to the long-term, individual based data base of the SBBRP, including data on over 500 captured and marked bears and over 1000 hunter-killed bears, will be provided. Genetic data, including pedigrees, are also available. The successful candidate will work with three advisors; Dr. Andreas Zedrosser (BOKU, UMB), Prof. Klaus Hackländer (BOKU), Prof. Jon Swenson (UMB).
A Master's degree is required from a university or scientific college. The study will include extensive periods of field work; a driver's license is required. In addition, a good understanding of evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology and statistical data analysis are needed. Applicants with documented knowledge in these fields will be prioritized. Applicants must be able to work both independently and as a part of an international team of PhD-students and scientists working on various aspects of the behavioral ecology and life history of Brown bears in Scandinavia.
The goal is the successful completion of a PhD-degree. The successful applicant is required to enter an approved PhD-program, and the work must be planned in order to complete the requirements of the PhD-degree during the course of the 3-year period. The PhD will be carried out within a Cotutelle framework as a cooperative degree
between BOKU and UMB. This will require the successful candidate to spend periods of time in Austria and Norway. Wages are according to the pay scale of FWF (http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze_2007.html).

Applicants should send an electronic application, incl. CV and grades from courses taken and, if available, a list of publications and copies of these, to andreas.zedrosser@boku.ac.at. The application deadline is December 7, 2007.
Interviews will take place in the 4th week of January, 2008. The start of this study is projected to be March 2008. More information can be obtained from Dr. A. Zedrosser at above address.

 

For questions regarding the above information please contact:

Marie Elisabeth Herberstein

Department of Biological Sciences

Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia

email: m.herberstein@bio.mq.edu.au

fax: +612 9850 8245

phone: +612 9850 6276

http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/behaviouralecology

 

Educational Programs Paid Internship - Tumacacori National Historical Park

 

National Park Service in conjunction with the Friends of the Santa Cruz River (FOSCR) is seeking an intern to work with educational programs at Tumacacori National Historical Park.  The selected intern would work at the park with the Division of Interpretation and specifically with park-based Culture, History, and River education programs and activities.  The emphasis will be on helping to lead activities and developing programs while learning park based educational themes and concepts.

 

The intern would help with a variety of educational programs including historical-, cultural-, and river-themed activities.  The internship will begin in January and continue through late May, one to three days per week, normally Tuesday through Thursday.  There is no age restriction for applicants.  Although no experience is required, applicants must be able to work with very wiggly students for the duration of each scheduled program which will require walking, standing, and kneeling.  Interest or experience in working with kids is a must as is interest in the history, river and environment.  This a paid internship with a modest stipend or scholarship for time involved-based on days worked.  The intern will receive hands-on and formal training as well as learning about the workings of both FOSCR and the National Park Service.  The internship may be expanded to include working in the Visitors Center, research and computer work, depending on the applicant’s interests and skills.  Inters may also participate in other NPS education programs including costumed presentations, puppet shows and slide shows.

 

This internship is an excellent opportunity for students pursuing a career in education, environment, or history.  It is also a great avenue to gain experience and learn about careers with the National Park Service. 

 

For more information or questions, please contact:

 

Roy Simpson

520-398-2341x72

roy_simpson@nps.gov

 

Internship & Volunteering Opportunities – Madagascar
 
In 2008, Azafady is offering a limited number of unique internship opportunities for students to participate in humanitarian, environmental and conservation work while having the chance to see how a grassroots development NGO operates. Working closely with local communities, interns on our Pioneer Madagascar Program take part in a range of practical construction work, conservation research and educational activities, whilst our Lemur Venture scheme, new this year, provides the chance to focus on the conservation of endangered primate populations in the south-east of the island. Our internships could be beneficial to students in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and would particularly suit those who have a specific interest in working in the international sustainable development or conservation sector.
 
For additional information, please visit: http://www.madagascar.co.uk/mailers/mailer_121007_mailer_us.htm

 

CEDO Field Education Internship
        
CEDO, the Intercultural Study for the Studies of Deserts and Oceans, has an immediate opening in its Field Education Internship program at its facility in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora.
 
Interns support CEDO’s field education programs by receiving and orienting groups using the facility and providing field teaching services for student and tour groups (tide pool & estuary tours, slideshows, general CEDO talks).
 
Interns are provided housing in the CEDO facility and a monthly stipend. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a college degree, preferably in science (marine biology or related field).  Some Spanish proficiency required. This internship runs until June 2008.
 
Contact Rick Boyer at 520-320-5473 or by email: rick@cedointercultural.org
Details available at: www.cedointercultural.org.



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