Welcome! Department of Biological Sciences Newsletter January 17, 2014 No. 2

Transcription

Department of Biological Sciences Newsletter
“from biomolecules to the biosphere”
No. 2
January 17, 2014
Announcements
Welcome!
Please welcome Lauren McDermaid who started
January 6th in the BioStore as the Stores Administrator. As of Monday, January 13, 2014, the Store will open from 9:30AM to
4:00PM each day, except over lunch (noon to 1PM).
We are also very pleased to welcome Benedicta Odame-Ankrah to the main office. Benedicta started January 3rd and will be someone all of you interact with
as she is replacing Christine as the point person in the office. Please stop by and
say hello, if you haven’t already.
Recent Publications
Stanton, M.M., Nelson, L.K., Benediktsson, H., Hollenberg,
M.D., Buret, A.G. and Ceri, H.
2013. Proteinase-activated receptor-1 and immunomodulatory effects of a PAR1-activationg peptide in a mouse
model of prostatitis. Mediators of Inflammation 2013: Article ID 748395, 12 pages.
Scholarships
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards: To be considered
for this award, the student must work under the supervision of a BioSci
faculty member who holds an active NSERC research grant.
Application (form 202), eligibility details can be found at http://www.
nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/instructions/202/e.
asp http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp
Deadline: 30 January to submit a complete application to BioSciences (BI 186).
Important Dates
Jan 24 - 2 - 4:30 EEEL 210 - Faculty Council Meeting
Jan 28 - 2-4 BI 211 - Department Meeting
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AIHS Summer Studentships: For eligibility requirements, application procedures and other details, please visit: http://www.aihealthsolutions.ca/grants/
Sum-student. php
Deadline for applications to reach AIHS: 7 Feb
Department courier deadline: Submit your complete AIHS application to BI 186
by Feb 6 (12.00 pm).

PURE -Programs for Undergraduate Research Experience: Applications (including
documents from the supervisor) are due on 14 Feb http://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/
TLFC/awards/undergrad
USRP-Undergraduate Student Research Program in Health and Wellness: Application deadline- 14 Feb
http://www.ucalgary.ca/usrp/
For more undergrad summer research opportunities, visit the department webpage http://bio.ucalgary.ca/undergrad/scholar.html
Graduate Award Competition: Departmental deadline 20 January.
There are five awards under this competition: Alberta Innovates Technology Futures,
Open Doctoral Scholarships, Izaak Walton Killam Pre-Doctoral Scholarships, Special
Awards and Bursaries. http://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/opportunities/gac
Please contact Sophia (georges@ucalgary.ca) for details.
Email the complete application to georges@ucalgary.ca
ABMI Research Grants Call for Proposals 2014/15 - The Alberta Biodiversity
Monitoring Institute (ABMI) collects information throughout Alberta on a wide
range of terrestrial biota (lichens, mosses, vascular plants, mites, birds, mammals), aquatic biota (vascular plants, aquatic invertebrates), terrestrial and
aquatic habitats (soil, live and dead trees, shrubs, herbs, litter, water physiochemistry, water basin characteristics) and landscape elements.
http://www.abmi.ca/abmi/aboutabmi/aboutabmi.jsp?categoryId=30&showNews=true&n
ewsId=568
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Seminars
EEB seminar - Friday at Noon in BI 211
Jan 24 - John Gilleard - TBA
ICB seminars - Fridays at 14h30 in BI 211
Jan 24 - Samuel Abbassah-Oppong - TBA
BCEM 601 seminar - Monday at 16h00 in BI 211
Jan 20 - Maxwell Chilije - Studying the first step in the de novo synthesis of glycerolipids in metazoa
EEB 601 seminar - Monday at 12h00 in BI 211
Jan 20 - Arian Cantin- TBA
ICB 601 seminars - Thursdays at 13h00 in BI 211
Jan 23 - Carol Best - TBA
Graduate Student Affairs
Research Proposals
None scheduled
Ph.D. Candidacy Oral Examination - Candidacy Exams are Closed Exams.
None scheduled
Thesis Oral Examinations - Exams are “Open” unless otherwise noted.
Please note: Pre-defense seminars are a degree requirement for all M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in
Biological Sciences. Typically, the seminar will take place immediately preceding the Oral Defense Exam.
Room bookings for Student Meetings - It is the student’s responsibility to book the necessary
com-media equipment with either Benedicta (220-3578 banimoda@ucalgary.ca) or David (2208307) for their examination. Please book the equipment as soon as you have the date set for
your exam/proposal meeting. (defense seminars are held one hour before the stated defense
time in BI 211 unless noted otherwise)
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Sian Wilson (Supervisor: J. Anderson), will be holding her M.Sc. Thesis Oral Examination,
in the area of “Evolutionary Biology”, on February 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in BioSciences
room 389. (Neutral Chair: R. Cartar).
Congratulations to…
Jason Burt, who successfully defended his M.Sc. Thesis Oral Examination, in the
area of “Biochemistry”, on January 9, 2014!
Dr. Kiva Ferraro, who successfully defended his Ph.D. Thesis Oral Examination, in the area of “Biochemistry”, on January 16, 2014!
“Piled Higher and Deeper”
by Jorge Cham
www.phdcomics.com
Personal Ads
1 Room available March 1st – NW Calgary, nearby Foothills Hospital / UofC
We are Grad students (1 male, 2 females) looking for 1 housemate (friend) to share a large and
convenient house located right between the Foothill Hospital and the University of Calgary (1944
Uxbridge Drive NW). Here is what you might need to know about the place:
1. The house is fully furnished, except for the room you will be renting; it has a large living
room, large dining room, 2 bathrooms, a large basement, laundry, backyard with bbq grill;
2. 5 minutes walking to Foothills, 10 minutes walking to the U of C;
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3.
Bus stop (20, 91, 40) are just outside, 10 minutes walking to Banff trail C- train station;
4. Right in front of the Foothill mall, which includes small store, bakery, pub (Moose McGuire’s),
pharmacy, post office, Scotiabank, fast food and Vietnamese restaurant;
5. No smoking, no pets (although we love animals);
6. 490 $/ month plus utilities (generally around 50-100 $ per person);
7. garage and 2 parking spots;
8. long term rent (>6 months) preferred.
The roommate we are looking for is friendly, clean and responsible.
We study and work hard, but we are friendly and easy-going: we like to hike, play music, cooking
and have dinner with friends. To arrange a view, e-mail Stefano (slicciol@ucalgary.ca)
Positions / Opportunities
Field Assistant-Canada Warbler habitat selection and demography study
Job type: Seasonal
Duration: May-August, 2014
Number of Positions: 3
Location: Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park area
Compensation: $14-18/hour, depending on experience
Application Deadline: March 31, 2014
Description:
Seeking 3 field assistants for a University of Alberta Master’s study on a threatened forest songbird: the Canada warbler. The main objective of the study is to compare micro-habitat use and
productivity among old growth aspen-dominated mixed-wood stands, riparian buffers, and harvested stand with varying amounts of tree retention. Field assistants are needed from early May
to mid-August, 2014. Successful applicants will live in field housing near Lesser Slave Lake and
Calling Lake with other technicians and Master’s student. This position is a great opportunity to
gain field wor
experience in avian ecology and bird behavior, and to work on a Species at
Risk in the beautiful boreal forest of northeastern Alberta.
Duties:
Avian point count surveys; Radio-telemetry monitoring of male Canada Warblers; Nest searching
and monitoring; Vegetation surveys
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Qualifications:
Background in ornithology and/or ecology; Avian identification experience (sight and sound);
Comfortable working early mornings, outdoors, for long hours, and adverse conditions ; Comfortable living with others in a field setting; Valid driver’s license
Assets:
Experience using aerial photos and GPS to navigate; ATV training; Experience with vegetation
surveys ; Experience conducting point count surveys; Experience mist-netting and banding birds
Contact: Please send a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Anjolene Hunt (anjolene@ualberta.ca) or Erin Bayne (bayne@ualberta.ca)
Canada Warbler Research
Photo by Darlene Friedman http://blog.nwf.org/2011/05/bird-of-the-week-canada-warbler/
The University of Alberta will be hiring: 3 field assistants for a study on the demography of the Canada
Warbler, a species at risk breeding in the boreal forest. The study will compare habitat use and productivity
in old growth aspen stands and stands with different harvesting intensity in the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial
Park area.
Tasks:
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Point count and playback surveys to detect Canada warblers
Tracking warblers using radio-telemetry to determine habitat use and breeding success
Nest searching and monitoring
Vegetation surveys
Qualifications
 Background in ecology/ornithology
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Attention to detail/excellent note-taking skills
Avian identification experience (sight and sound)
Experience using aerial photos and GPS to navigate
Comfortable working early mornings, outdoors, for long hours
Comfortable living and working with others in a field setting
Valid driver’s license Additional Assets
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Experience conducting point count surveys
Experience with radio-telemetry
Experience performing vegetation surveys
Position will run from May-August, 2014. Compensation is $14-18/hr, depending on experience. Please send a cover
letter, resume, and 3 references by March 31, 2014 to (anjolene@ualberta.ca) or Erin Bayne (bayne@ualberta.ca).
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The Calgary Zoological Society is committed to excellence in animal stewardship and conservation leadership. Our
staff and volunteers are what make us a success in these activities and keep us focused on our mission to take and
inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places as part of our commitment become Canada’s leader in wildlife
conservation If you would like to be part of this dynamic team, the Calgary Zoo has the following Limited Term
employment opportunity available:
Field Technicians
The Centre for Conservation Research, whose main focus is the science of recovering at risk species, is currently
seeking eight field technicians to assist with field work. The research will primarily be on northern leopard frogs in
Southern Alberta and/or black-tailed prairie dog/ black-footed ferrets in Grasslands National Park, Sask. Frog
research is typically 10 days in the field with 4 days off in Calgary. For prairie dog research days off are highly
variable and weather-dependent and will be spent in Val Marie, Sask.
The positions are outlined below:
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three positions from April 28 to June 4th; July 22 to August 28 , 2014 (frog research)
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Five positions from June 2 to Oct. 5, 2013 (prairie dog/ ferret research)
Successful applicants will have:
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Experience with biological field work (e.g. GPS, map reading, wildlife and vegetation surveys)
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An eye for detail, as accurate and precise data collection and entry is essential
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Excellent interpersonal skills
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A high level of physical fitness
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Class 5 drivers license; successful candidates will be required to provide a driver’s abstract
Academic/Educational Requirements:
Possess or working toward a B.Sc. or equivalent education (or above)
Working Conditions:
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Expected to work early and long hours independently or in a team.
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Hiking in remote locations under various weather conditions.
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Long hours spent driving on highways or gravel roads.
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Living in close quarters with field team in camp setting.
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Requires animal handling (live trapping, swabbing for disease testing).
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Carry heavy equipment over long distances.
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Working at night in isolated conditions (ferret monitoring).
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Applications and cover letters must be received by February 9 . Please clearly specify the position
title in your application.
Please send applications to:
No phone inquiries please.
Human Resources
Calgary Zoo
1300 Zoo Road NE
Calgary, AB T2E 7V6
All applicants are thanked in advance and
advised that only those individuals selected
for interviews will be contacted.
Fax: (403) 695-3807
Email: hr@calgaryzoo.ab.ca
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The Calgary Zoological Society is committed to excellence in animal stewardship and conservation
leadership. Our staff and volunteers are what make us a success in these activities and keep us focused
on our mission to take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places as part of our commitment
become Canada’s leader in wildlife conservation
If you would like to be part of this dynamic team, the Calgary Zoo has the following Limited Term
employment opportunity available:
2014 Conservation Research Fellowship
We are pleased to announce our annual Conservation research Fellowship position. The aim of this
fellowship is to aid the professional development of recent graduates as they develop their careers in the
field of conservation biology. The fellowship is tenable in the Calgary Zoo’s Centre for Conservation
Research, which conducts innovative scientific research in zoos and in the wild to develop applicable
solutions for environmental problems threatening the Earth’s species and ecosystems.
As part of the Husky Energy Endangered Species Program, the successful applicant will join the Centre
for a 10-month term from April 28th, 2014 through Feb 27th, 2015. This salary position will focus on
conservation based projects and will involve contributing to the Centre’s existing field research on two or
more SARA species.
Part of the successful applicant’s time will be spent in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, assisting
in field research on population dynamics of the black-tailed prairie dog and the black-footed ferret, and
assisting in surveying and habitat assessment for northern leopard frogs in southern Alberta. The final
components of the applicant’s time will be spent on data analyses and/or written documents regarding the
effects of land use on northern leopard frog conservation.
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada and have graduated from their most recent undergraduate
or graduate degree within the last two years (minimum qualification is a B.Sc. or equivalent).
Undergraduate students may be in their final semester and graduate students must have completed their
defense. Preference will be given to applicants possessing or working towards an MSc with Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) experience.
Academic/Educational Requirements:
B.Sc., MSc. Biology preferred
Required Skills/Experience:
Experience with biological field work
Experience with data analysis, GIS analysis, and report writing
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Working Conditions:
In the field
• Will be in the field from April 29th to October 5, 2012. This time will be split between the frog &
prairie dog projects.
• There are two Northern Leopard field seasons (April 28th-June 5th and July 22-August 28th).
Typically we work 10 days in the field with 4 days off in Calgary (applicant is expected to supply
own accommodation during days off).
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• There are also two Prairie Dog Ecosystem Research Project field seasons (June 6 - July 21
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and August 29 – October 5 ). This field season is very weather dependent thus we have a very
dynamic schedule but will maintain the ratio of 5 working days to 2 days off. The entirety of the
two season will be spent in Val Marie, SK including days off. Food and accommodation will be
provide.
• Expected to work early and long hours independently. Hiking in remote locations with heavy
loads under various climatic conditions. Long hours spent driving on highways or gravel roads.
• Living in close quarters with field team in camp setting.
• Requires animal handling.
In the office
• Office based data management, data entry, GIS analysis and writing.
Applications and cover letters must be received by February 9th, 2014. Interviews will be conducted on
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February 18 and 19 , 2014.
Please clearly specify the position title in your application
Please send applications to:
Human Resources
Calgary Zoo
1300 Zoo Road NE
Calgary, AB T2E 7V6
No phone inquiries please.
All applicants are thanked in advance and
advised that only those individuals selected
for interviews will be contacted.
Fax: (403) 695-3807
Email: hr@calgaryzoo.ab.ca
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