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EEB Undergrad Newsletter
November 28, 2007

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Important Dates & Announcements

5) Tree Ring Day Symposium- November 30th 

6) Course Announcement: BIOC 401- Medical Biochemistry Problem Solving (1 unit)

10) Educational Programs Paid Internship- Tumacacori National Historical Park 

11) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (funded by the National Science Foundation) 

12) Monte Saino Natural Resource Conservation Center and Volunteer Program

13) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Program in Undergraduate Research (SPUR) 

14) Pediatrics Program in Summer Undergraduate Research, Cleveland, OH 

15) Research Technician- Medical Entomology, Rutgers University, NJ

16) Research Technician- Genetics Department, University of Georgia, Athens

17) Great Biology Job Resource Website

Important Dates & Announcements

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Last day of classes and laboratory sessions- Wednesday, December 5

Last day to do a complete withdraw- Wednesday, December 5

Reading Day- No classes or finals on Thursday, December 6.

Final examinations begin- Friday, December 7.

First day to file Grade Replacement Opportunity(GRO) for Winter Session- December 12.

Final exams end- Friday, December 14.

Fall Commencement- Saturday, December 15.

Winter Session classes begin- Monday, December 17.

Last day to file GRO for Winter Session- Tuesday, December 18.

Last day to pay Spring tutition without a late fee- Wednesday, January 16

First day to file a GRO for Spring semester- Wednesday, January 16

First day of classes- Wednesday, January 16

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Advising Appointments and Walk-In Times

Appointments - To make an appointment with an advisor, please call 520-621-1588. Please have your name, student ID, and reason for an appointment ready for the desk to make the appointment with you. The person making the appointment is not an advisor.

Walk-In times are available Wednesdays from 10 – 3:30.

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1) Undergraduate Research Opportunity: Dr. Brad Davidson, MCB Professor

Looking for a responsible and motivated student to assist in basic operations in a newly founded lab in the Medical Research Building.   Our laboratory is focused on the study of heart formation and basic questions of cell biology and development. (See http://www.mcdb.arizona.edu/facultyResearchDetail.cfm?netid=bjd18 for details.)  If interested, the student would also have the opportunity to participate in research.

Responsibilities may include ordering, preparation of solutions, and database management.  Freshmen or sophomore student preferred.  Applicant must be able to commit to a regular schedule from 10-20 hours/week and be available for the entire year.  There is a possibility of multi-year commitment.  Previous lab/office experience is desirable.  Work-study students are preferred but all student candidates will be considered.

To apply, please fill out a Student Profile Form (available for download from  http://www.mcb.arizona.edu/undergraduates/forms.cfm and e-mail to Dr. Davidson at bjd18@email.arizona.edu.

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2) The International Alliance for the Prevention of AIDS- Informational Sessions

 Have you ever wanted to spend your summer volunteering abroad?

It's not too early to start thinking of next summer!!

The International Alliance for the Prevention of AIDS (IAPA) is a NGO that allows college students to help curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South India by educating both children and adults and fostering extra projects that directly involve the disease. It also allows volunteers to submerse themselves in the richness of South Indian culture.

If you are interested and haven't had a chance to come to an informational session, we have added two more:

Thursday, Nov. 29, 6 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6 PM

Both sessions will be held in the Student Union, Madera Room.

And if neither dates work for you, don't fret, the application can be found on-line at www.iapaindia.org . If you have additional questions please email us at 08coordinator@gmail.com .

*************************************************************************3) Tree Ring Day Talks and Posters- November 30th

  Tree-Ring Day is an annual symposium, at which people from the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research present short papers on recent work. As part of the celebration of the Laboratory’s 70th anniversary the 2007 symposium will be larger and more extensive than usual. Laboratory personnel and colleagues will present a full program of talks and posters, then in the afternoon Dr. Donald J. McGraw (author of scientific biographies of A.E. Douglass and Edmund Schulman) will deliver a special lecture on the history of the Tree-Ring Lab and its founders entitled “Early Tree Rings”. The symposium and special lecture are open to the public.  Please follow the links below to see the schedule of talks and poster titles for our November 30th event beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Arizona Historical Society Museum auditorium.

Full schedule: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/meetings/1/schedule ,

Poster session: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/events/115

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4) Course Announcement: BIOC 401 -- Medical Biochemistry Problem Solving (1 unit)

Description:  Application of protein and metabolic biochemistry to solving medical biochemistry cases using independent literature research; findings will be written and presented orally.

Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.

Prerequisite(s):  BIOC 460 or BIOC 462B and consent of instructor.

This class meets on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:20.If you would like to take this course please contact Dr. Mark Tischler (the instructor) at tischler@email.arizona.edu.

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5) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program offers:

    * Scholarship support

    * Paid research training at the NIH during the summer

    * Paid employment and training at the NIH after graduation

Scholarship Support

The NIH UGSP will pay up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses to scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded for 1 year, and can be renewed up to 4 years.

Research Training at the NIH

For each full or partial scholarship year, you are committed to two NIH service obligations. The obligations themselves are benefits of the UGSP—providing you with invaluable research training and experience at the NIH.

1) 10-week Summer Laboratory Experience. After each year of scholarship support, you will train for 10 weeks as a paid summer research employee in an NIH research laboratory. This employment occurs after the receipt of the scholarship award. Each scholar will be assigned to an NIH researcher and an NIH postdoctoral fellow, who will serve as mentors. You will also attend formal seminars and participate in a variety of programs.

2) Employment at the NIH after Graduation. After graduation, you will continue your training as a full-time employee in an NIH research laboratory. You must serve 1 year of full-time employment for each year of scholarship.

Scholarship Requirements

The NIH Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who show a commitment to pursuing careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The following are the basic requirements:

    * U.S. citizen, national, or qualified noncitizen. (See below for more information.)

    * Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student for the 2007-2008 academic year at an accredited, 4-year undergraduate institution.

    * From a disadvantaged background. Disadvantaged background means that your financial aid office has certified you as having “exceptional financial need.” (See below for more information.)

    * 3.5 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) or within the top 5 percent of your class.

How do I apply?

We encourage students to apply online at http://www.ugsp.nih.gov. In addition to our online application, this Web site contains detailed information on the UGSP, as well as downloadable application forms.

The deadline for receipt of complete applications is February 28, 2007 and award notification will be June-August 2007.

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6) Morris K. Udall Scholarship (http://www.udall.gov/udall.asp?link=200 )

In 2008, the Foundation expects to award 80 scholarships and 50 honorable mentions on the basis of merit to sophomore and junior level college students. Scholarships are offered in any of three categories:

•           To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment; or

•           To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or

•           To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.

Award Conditions and Benefits

Up to $5,000 for tuition, room and board, or other educational expenses.

Four-day Udall Scholars Orientation in Tucson, Arizona to meet with other Scholars, elected officials, environmental and tribal leaders. All 2008 Scholars are required to attend this event. It will be held August 2-6, 2008, in Tucson, Arizona. Travel from the Scholar's home or school, lodging, and meals will be provided by the Foundation.

Access to a network of environmental, Native American health and tribal policy professionals through the Udall Alumni listserv.

Udall Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, room and board, or other specifically approved expenses. Payments may supplement, but not duplicate, benefits from other foundations, institutions, or organizations. Combined benefits from all sources may not exceed the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room and board as prescribed by the institution.

Each nominee must:

•           Be a matriculated sophomore or junior-level student at a two-year or four-year institution of higher education, pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree during the 2007-2008 academic year. "Sophomore" is defined as a student who intends at least two more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning in fall 2008. "Junior" is defined as a student who intends at least one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning in fall 2008. (Students may apply for funding in both their sophomore and junior years; 3rd time applicants, however, will not be eligible.)

•           Be committed to a career related to the environment, OR committed to a career in tribal public policy OR Native American health care (only Native Americans and Alaska Natives* are eligible to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care). Native American students studying tribal public policy or native health do not need to demonstrate commitment to the environment. Likewise, students pursuing environmentally related careers do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.

•           Have a college grade-point average of at least a "B" or the equivalent.

•           Be pursuing full-time study during the 2008-2009 academic year.

•           Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

How to Apply

Students are nominated by their college or university’s faculty representative, who is the liaison between the institution and the Foundation. Each university may nominate up to six candidates for the Udall Scholarship. The Udall FacRep oversees the selection of the institution’s nominees, helps nominees prepare for the competition, and submits the nomination materials to the Foundation by the specified deadline.

The following items are required for each nominee:

•           A completed, signed Udall Scholarship Application;

•           An 800-word essay, signed and dated;

•           A current official college transcript and transcripts for other colleges attended;

•           Three letters of recommendation.

Nomination and application information must be submitted on forms from the Foundation’s website or on photocopies of these forms. Recreated forms and attachments of additional information will not be accepted. The application and essay must be typed or word-processed; handwritten applications will not be accepted.

The complete nomination package must be received by March 4, 2008, at the Scholarship Program, Morris K. Udall Foundation, 130 S. Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ  85701. (Institutional deadlines may be up to 6 months earlier; be sure to contact your faculty representative.)

http://www.udall.gov/udall.asp?link=200 .

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7) 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) 398-2341, extension 72

                                                roy_simpson@nps.gov

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8) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (funded by the National Science Foundation)

NSF funds a large number of research opportunities across the nation for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program.  An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel.  Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location.

Students may apply to REU programs in a variety of areas, including molecular biosciences, genomics, genetics, neuroscience, astrobiology, and more!  Stipend, awards, and compensation vary by site.  Eligibility and deadlines vary by site.

For more information, please visit the NSF REU homepage: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/ and the REU Biology Research Sites list: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.cfm?unitid=5047

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9) Monte Saino Natural Resource Conservation Center and Volunteer Program

To the southwest region of the province of Esmeraldas, you find Punta Galera, the last remnant of preserved coastal rainforest in Ecuador, located in the transitional zone the two important eco-regions, El Choco and Tumbesina.  This area is one the 25 hotspots in the world due to the incredibly high biodiversity of endemic flora and fauna species.  Monte Saino Conservation Center is situated on 3.73 miles from the costal community of Cabo de San Francisco.

Monte Saino Natural Resource Conservation Center is situated in a protected forest reserve that consists of 516 acres of land.  The center is managed by EcoCiencia, (Ecuadorian Foundation for Ecological Studies), a private non-profit organization with headquarters based in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.  Monte Saino and EcoCiencia have pioneered sustainable conservation projects in the area for more than six years.

The objective of Monte Saino Conservation Center is to promote management of natural resources endanger of extinction among local community members through conservation efforts.  Monte Saino offers volunteer opportunities through a range of environmental projects.  The center is currently seeking volunteers to assist in meeting the following priorities:

*Forest restoration by incorporating analog forestry methods into neighboring farms

*Sustainable collection of native forest seeds from community seed sources

*Quality control inspection and providing a guarantee of viability for seeds

*Sustainable collection of seeds and other products for the development of handicrafts

*Experimental management of crawfish as an income generating project

Volunteer opportunities exist at Monte Saino all year round but require a one month commitment.  However, special projects may be arranged for shorter time periods as appropriate. For more information please visit www.ecociencia.org , email us at montesaino@ecociencia.org .

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10) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Program in Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

This program consists of ten weeks of full time student research on various biomedically related projects. Students work as part of a research team, with mentors from the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Medicine, and the School of Engineering. Students also participate in extracurricular activities that include weekly seminars and one day workshops which involve visits to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. A poster session culminates the program.

Application Deadline: Completed application, transcripts, and 2 recommendation forms must be postmarked by February 1, 2008. Click on the following link for complete list of participating faculty

Stipend 2008 Program: $3,500

Housing Allowance: $1,000

Program dates: 5/27/08 – 8/1/08

Contact Information: Julia Brown-Allen Jab12@case.edu

Department of Biology - SPUR

Case Western Reserve University

10900 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Phone: 216-368-3556

Fax: 216-368-4672

Website: http://www.case.edu/artsci/biol/hhmi/spur.htm

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11) Pediatrics Program in Summer Undergraduate Research, Cleveland, OH

The Department of Pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, both located in Cleveland, provides a program for undergraduates to obtain experience in biomedical and psychosocial research relating to pediatric disorders. It should be noted that this program is not designed for clinical experience, but rather basic research is the focus. Undergraduates who have completed their first year of study from any US college or university are eligible to apply. Students’ responsibilities will include full time work on the research project for 10 weeks, as well as weekly attendance at a meeting in which students will describe their projects to the other students in the program. A stipend is provided.

Application: Applicants are selected on a competitive basis. Letters of recommendation, GPA and candidates’ personal statements are evaluated.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2008

Contact information: Ms. Connie May, Program Manager, Connie.May@UHHospitals.org , 216.844.1032 or Mitchell Drumm, Ph.D., Program Director,mitchell.drumm@case.edu , 216.368.6893 .

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12) Research Technician- Medical Entomology, Rutgers University, NJ

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to perform DNA based evolutionary and ecological research in the laboratory of Dr. Dina M. Fonseca at the Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University. This is a full-time contractual position, renewable on an annual basis, with competitive salary and benefits.

Salary Information: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, $27,500 to $40,000 with additional pay for health insurance; salary benefits; contractual non-tenure, full-time (paid overtime); reviewed and renewable on annual basis. ). Please see my website at http://vectorbio.rutgers.edu/ for a bit more information.

Duties: Faculty Research Assistant will support several collaborative projects in basic and applied molecular medical entomology, ecology, and evolution. Specifically he/she will conduct laboratory, insectary, and field experiments; perform inventory and order material/supplies in a molecular biology laboratory; maintain mosquito colonies; enter data and manage databases on a regular basis; maintain laboratory and insectary in working order; assist graduate students and other personnel with research; and oversee undergraduate student workers in these tasks.

Qualifications: A strong science background and B.S./B.A. degree in molecular biology, medical entomology, evolutionary biology, ecology, entomology, agronomy, or related discipline is preferred. Candidate must demonstrate: coursework and hands-on experience in ecology and evolutionary biology; capacity and interest in learning new concepts and techniques, including DNA based techniques to study populations and life-histories; skill in both verbal and written communication in English; computer literacy and skill in managing, analyzing and evaluating data; ability to multi-task and work both independently with minimal supervision and cooperatively with others.

To Apply: Send CV, statement of relevant research experience and interests, and contact information for 3 references as a single file (MS Word or PDF) to: dinafons@rci.rutgers.edu or by mail to Dr. Dina M. Fonseca, Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Av. New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

Closing Date: Screening of applications will begin immediately and the position will remain open until filled.

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13) Research Technician- Genetics Department, University of Georgia, Athens

The research focuses on the evolutionary and ecological genetics of mushroom-feeding Drosophila.  Current work investigates the effects of intra-genomic parasites on fly population genetics, behavior, and ecology.  The exact nature of the research will depend on the person's experience, but laboratory work will involve both molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing, cloning, genotyping) and experiments with Drosophila (crosses, behavioral observations, fitness assays).  Additional responsibilities will include maintaining Drosophila stocks, supervising undergraduate researchers, ordering lab supplies, and maintaining safety records.

Applicants should have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in a Biology- related field, previous experience in biological research, and strong interpersonal communication skills.  Experience with molecular techniques and working with Drosophila or other insects is preferred.  The ideal candidate will be organized, pay close attention to detail, and be able to work both independently and in collaboration with others.

Applicants may contact Kelly Dyer directly at kdyer@uga.edu with informal questions, but are required to apply through the UGA Human Resources website (posting number 20070886 at www.ugajobsearch.com). The position is available immediately and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience and will include benefits.

The Dyer lab is a part of the diverse and interactive UGA Genetics Department, for which more information can be found at http:// www.genetics.uga.edu/.  The University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA.  Athens is located about 60 minutes from Atlanta and is consistently ranked one of the top college towns in the country.  It has a vibrant music scene, plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation, and a reasonable cost of living.  For more information about living in Athens, see http://www.visitathensga.com/

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14) Great Biology Job Resource Website

This website includes hundred of links to jobs, research and volunteers sites on every continent all in the field of Biology.  There are links to summer research and volunteer opportunities both paid and unpaid. As well as links for local, regional, state, federal, and international job opportunities.

http://www.ag.arizona.edu/~squirrel/jobs.htm

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15) Graduate Opportunities-Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Stony Brook Univ., NY

The Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University is recruiting graduate students for Fall 2008.  Our graduate program trains students in Ecology, Evolution and Biometry.  The following faculty are seeking graduate students for their labs:

H. Resit Akcakaya   http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/~akcakaya/

Stephen B. Baines   http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/~sbaines/

Michael A. Bell  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/belllab/

David O. Conover  http://www.msrc.sunysb.edu/~conover

Daneil Dykhuizen  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/dykhuizenlab/

Walter F. Eanes  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/eaneslab/

John G. Fleagle  http://gibbon.anat.sunysb.edu/Department/jfleagle.html

R. Geeta   http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/geeta/

Lev Ginzburg   http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/people/ginzbgindex.html

Jeffrey Levinton  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/levinton.main.html

Steve Munch  http://msrc.sunysb.edu/people/munch.htm

Dianna K Padilla  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/padillalab/padilla/index.htm

Massimo Pigliucci  www.genotypebyenvironment.org

F. James Rohlf  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/morph

John J. Wiens  http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/wienslab/homepage.html

Pat C Wright   http://icte.bio.sunysb.edu

For more information regarding the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution see:

http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee and http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/ee-doct.html

The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 15. For additional assistance, e-mail our Graduate Program Coordinator, Iris Roth,iroth@notes.cc.sunysb.edu

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16) Graduate Opportunities- Evolutionary Biology, University of Georgia, Athens

The Department of Genetics at the University of Georgia is seeking outstanding graduate students interested in evolutionary biology, ecological genetics, population genetics and genomics for the 2008-2009 academic year. The University has a strong tradition of research in evolutionary biology, with faculty members representing a range of research strengths, from

genes and gene pathways to organisms and populations. The department continues to build in the area, with several recent hires.

All students in the Department of Genetics are guaranteed full funding for at least five years. Ph.D. Students are funded through a variety of mechanisms, including University Presidential Scholarships and Graduate School Assistantships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and our NIH training grant, which has been held by our department continuously since 1975.

For more info, see http://www.genetics.uga.edu.

Applications are due January 2nd, 2008, and can be filled out online at http://www.genetics.uga.edu/graduate_application.html.

For more information, you can contact our graduate coordinator, Dr.

Mary Bedell, at bedell@uga.edu. For specific information about training in evolutionary biology at UGA, contact Daniel Promislow (promislow@uga.edu).

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17) Graduate Opportunities- Dept. of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville

The graduate program of the Department of Zoology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, is seeking outstanding applicants for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The department was recently ranked #1 among US institutions in the discipline of Zoology, as reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education (Nov 2007). The evolutionary biology group in the department consists of over a dozen faculty with diverse interests in Behavior, Comparative Physiology and Morphology, Evolution of Development, Evolutionary Ecology, Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Evolution and Systematics http://www.zoo.ufl.edu/.  In addition, the UF community is populated with dozens of other scientists with research interests in evolutionary biology, many of whom enjoy close collaborative relationships with members of the department.  The UF Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research provides state-of-the-art services in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics to UF researchers.

Application info available at http://www.zoology.ufl.edu/GRADUATE/

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18) Graduate Opportunities- deep sea research program, Australia

A new deep sea research program, Deep Ocean Australia, in the southwest Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean (substantially but not exclusively in proximity to Australian territorial waters) will be commencing later in 2008. Details can be found at the following website,

www.uq.edu.au/deepoceanaustralia .

Major research topics include biodiversity and biodiscovery, taxonomy, evolution, genetics, physiology, neurobiology, behavior and history of deep-sea invertebrates and vertebrates.

As part of the funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC), the industry partner Deep Ocean Quest and others there will be up to 12 PhD scholarships including at least 4 Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) available to both Australian national and international applicants.

Project topics might include the following, depending on supervisor and institution:

- Connectivity and biodiversity between isolated habitats - "Living fossils" and deep sea evolution

- Present and past deep-sea communities and the effect of a changing climate?

- Physiological adaptations of deep-sea inhabitants, with particular emphasis on sensory biology

- Genetics and biodiscovery of the deep-sea?

- Descriptions and quantification of the undescribed taxa in Australian deep-waters?

- Conservation and management of Australia's deep-sea assets

The majority of the projects will be based at The University of Queensland, Australia. Enrolment at other Australian universities is also possible as well as potential placements in New Zealand, USA, UK, Sweden and Germany. Access to specimens is provided through funded expeditions on a research vessel with deep-sea trawling, capture and filming capabilities based around three observation and collection submarines. Archival specimens will also be accessible through our deep-sea investigator network.

For more information on potential projects and on opportunities for scholarships please contact Dr Kerstin Fritsches atkerstin.fritsches@uq.edu.au .

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19) Ph.D Graduate Position- Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, CUNY, Queens College

Applications are invited from students interested in carrying out a Ph.D. thesis on the evolutionary genetics and ecology of mating systems and social evolution at Queens College, at the City University of New York (CUNY).

The group studies the evolution of reproductive strategies, phenotypic diversity, and variation in the genetic structure of populations in social animals, and is particularly interested in how selection on mating strategies affects social evolution and vice versa.  A variety of techniques are applied to address these topics, including field studies, molecular genetic analyses, laboratory experiments, and comparative analyses using social insects as test systems.

Excellent facilities are available for this work in my laboratory, in addition to a very well-equipped Core laboratory. Also, the Ecology-Evolution-Behavior faculty at Queens College, composed of six groups, constitutes a dynamical, driven, and stimulating environment with a strong focus on all aspects of evolutionary genetics.

Successful candidates will receive generous support in the form of  fellowships, health care, and free tuition, and will have only moderate teaching assistantship duties.  Candidates must have keen interests in evolutionary genetics and ecology, population biology, or behavioral ecology. Prior research experience is a plus but not necessary, and a strong academic record is required. Candidates of any nationality are eligible. Having a Masters degree is not required, but Masters level courses will be credited toward the Ph.D. work.

Interested students are invited to contact me for further information (Else.Fjerdingstad@qc.cuny.edu)

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20) Master’s Fellowships- Ecology and Evolution Group, San Francisco State University

The Ecology and Evolution Group at San Francisco State University is offering 13  fellowships for Master's students (M.S.) starting Fall of 2008, funded by the S-STEM program of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Biology at SFSU. Each fellowship recipient will receive $17,000 per year for up to two years.

The Master's degree program in Biology at San Francisco State University (SFSU) is nationally recognized as offering outstanding graduate training in environmental science, ecology, and evolutionary biology and for providing exceptional preparation for PhD programs and the workforce. The Department has been successful in attracting and preparing superb graduate students, and ensuring their placement in top Ph.D. programs across the nation, including the Universities of Virginia, Indiana, Harvard, Texas, and system-wide in the University California. Graduates who have chosen not to pursue a Ph.D. have successfully moved on to positions at government agencies such as the National Park Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, and to non-profits, such as the Nature Conservancy.

 With 18 full-time faculty, we have a strong and interactive evolution and ecology group with particular strength in conservation biology, systematics and population biology.  Our class sizes are small and students work closely with their advisors on research projects. Opportunities abound for field research in a diverse array of habitats including the Pacific coast, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore all within 1-2 hour drives from campus, and the Sierra Nevada within a 4 hour drive. For more information, please visit our website http://www.sfsu.edu/~biology/pages/sstem2.html.

 We strongly encourage interested applicants to make contact with potential faculty advisors early in the application process.

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21) Ph.D Graduate Positions- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Dartmouth College, NH

The Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Dartmouth College invites applications from prospective Ph.D. students.  We offer a wide range of opportunities for study in a diversity of biological systems, and our core group of enthusiastic faculty, graduate students and post-docs provide an exciting environment in which to pursue a Ph.D.  Generous support is available in the form of fellowships, health care, and discretionary funds for research and travel.

Detailed information about the program, and access to online applications, are available at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biology/graduate/eeb/

Promising applicants will be invited for interviews in February.

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Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology | The University of Arizona

BioSciences West 310 | 1041 E. Lowell St.| P.O. Box 210088 | Tucson, AZ 85721-0088 | 520.621.1588

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