Biological Sciences

These projects exemplify the Grant program's goal to enable research that will ultimately conserve, protect, and enhance, Alberta's fish, wildlife and natural habitats.  With this year’s awards, the ACA Grants in Biodiversity has now awarded over $3.2 million dollars to 318 researchers in its 15 year history.  Congratulations Jonathan, Peter, Terrence, Jeffrey, Amy, Samson and Marla! 

Departmental BGSA Curling Funspiel '09
It's that time of year again!!! Dust off your old brooms and sliders and come out for the fun! There are 14 teams participating thus far - hoping some staff and faculty teams can still make it!
   

When: Saturday, March 28th 6-10pm

Where: Saville Sports Centre (South Campus) How Much: $100 per team

(Teams can consist of an unlimited number of players)
Payment by:  March 14th, to Jeremy Wideman (G407/430/431/424...)

Who can come: Anyone and everyone.

Please let Jeremy Wideman know if you are interested in putting in a team. This year there is no limit to the number of people that can play on a team so bring anyone you wish. The sooner we know how many teams are likely to participate, the sooner we can finalize the ice bookings. This year we can take up to 20 teams!  And there should be money left over for prizes!

Please RSVP ASAP to ensure yourself a spot in this Departmentally-Renowned event!

For more information or to sign up, please contact Jeremy Wideman at jgwidema@ualberta.ca. 

Strickland Memorial Lecture & Dinner
Speaker: Cameron Currie
Dept. of Bacteriology
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Entomology seminar series:

‘Evolution of ancient agriculture in ants’

Thursday, March 19, 2009; TBW -1

Refreshments 3:30 p.m.

Seminar 4:00 p.m.

Strickland Lecture:

‘Drugs from bugs of bugs: Symbioses between insects and actinobacteria'

Friday, March 20, 2009

Refreshments 3:20 pm   Earth Sciences 2-05

Lecture:  4:00 pm   Earth Sciences   3-27

Strickland Dinner

Friday, 20 March, following the Strickland Lecture.

Main Dining Room, The University Faculty Club, Saskatchewan Drive.

Cocktails (No-Host Bar) at 6:00 pm, supper to follow at 7:00 pm.

Costs:

$30/plate for students and PDFs, $40/plate all others.

Dinner Choices (Main Courses): 

1. BREAST OF CHICKEN CATHERINE & ROAST POTATOES

2. BAKED FILET OF SALMON & SAFFRON RICE

3. VEGETARIAN OPTION

(All of these come with a salad and dessert)

Reservations:

Reservations may be made through Maya Evenden (mevenden@ualberta.ca) Confirmations will be sent in early March. Reservations (including choice(s) of main course) should be made via email to hold places, but please mail your checks (made out to University of Alberta) or cash to Maya at the: Dept of Biological Sciences, CW405, University of Alberta or delivered to 2-14 Earth Sciences.  

Storeroom Year-End Purchasing Cut-offs
Please be aware of the following year-end cut-offs when dropping off your orders in the Storeroom: 
· Purchase Order - $5,000 to 4,999 - March 16th, 2009 (as long as the vendor provides the product and submits their invoice to the University before March 31st)
· Preferred Supplier Agreement Vendors (eg. Fisher Scientific, Grand and Toy, Sigma) - March 26th, 2009

Please keep in mind that if the product(s) is not available immediately upon placing the order, there is a possibility that it still may not be charged in this fiscal year if:
· The product is not available within a couple days
· It is not shipped within a couple days, or
· The vendor does not invoice or charge out the product(s)
· Before the Financial Services cut-off dates.  

Now on sale:  Department of Biological Sciences canvas zippered tote bag! 

Environmentally friendly:  100% natural cotton, processed AZO-free, with no hazardous chemicals. 

Get yours today for $10 (cash only please) at the 4^th floor reception desk

Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 3:30 p.m., M-145, Biological Sciences Building

Dr. Nathalie Isabel, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Quebec City

“Combining modelling and population genomic approaches to monitor introgression from exotic poplars to their wild relatives: an alternative method to assess the risks posed by trees with novel traits”
Special – Plant Biology and Sys & Evol RIGs

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 11:00 a.m., M-137, Biological Sciences Building
Carol Gebhart, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
 “Two proteins involved in the general secretory pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and their affect on virulence”
Microbiology 606-607 & 406

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 12:00 p.m., M-141, Biological Sciences Building
Steven Hitchen, Belosevic Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta “Characterization of goldfish myelopoietic factors”
Biology 642

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 5:00 PM, CW-313, Biological Sciences Building
Dr. Heather Steele, Edmonton Wildlife Rehabilitation Society
"Tales from a Wildlife Veterinarian"

UACTWS Seminar Series

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 12:00 p.m., Rooms 231/237, Law Centre, University of Alberta

Matthew C. Nisbet, School of Communication, American University, Washington, DC

“Science Communication at a Crossroads: New Directions and Dead Ends”

Picard Lecture in Health Law

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 4:00 p.m., TBW1, Tory Breezeway
Cameron Currie, Associate Professor, Dept. Bacteriology, Univ. Wisconsin-Madison
“Evolution of ancient agriculture in ants"
Entomology 401/501

Friday, March 20, 2009, 11:00 a.m, M-137, Biological Sciences Building
Parisa Shahrabadi, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
“Characterization of Bacterial Type VI Secretion Systems: A Novel Mechanism for Protein Secretion”
Microbiology 606-607 & 406

Friday, March 20, 2009, 12:00 p.m, M-149, Biological Sciences Building
Dr. David Locky*
“Plant Communities and Diversity in Boreal Wooded Fens: An Ecoregional Perspective”
Biology 642

* Dr. David Locky is presenting a seminar in the Ecology seminar series as part of his application for adjunct status in the Department. If any of you would like to comment on the seminar or the general suitability of Dr. Locky as an adjunct, please forward your comments to Heather Proctor by March 27, 2009.

Friday, March 20, 2009, 4:00 p.m, ESB 3-27, Earth Sciences Building
Cameron Currie, Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
“Drugs from bugs of bugs: Symbioses between insects and actinobacteria”
Strickland Memorial Lecture 

Friday, March 27, 2009, 1:00 p.m., M-145, Biological Sciences Building

Dr. Billie Swalla, Department of Biology, University of Washington
“How Genomes and Development Create Novel Body Plans: Investigation into Chordate Origins”

Departmental – Systematics & Evolution RIG

News from the Chair

News from the Associate Chair Research

AHFMR Postdoctoral Fellow Recruitment Grant
There are three competitions, with Departmental (and RSO) deadlines of 1 April (6 April), 29 April (4 May) and 25 May (1 June).  For more information see http://www.rso.ualberta.ca/ahfmriacvisiting.cfm

The First Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP) Call for Proposals (CFP) for Collaborative Initiatives Between California and Canada
The University of California is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for collaborative initiatives between California and Canada under the auspices of the First Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP). Co-sponsored by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada), this opportunity is intended to stimulate novel ideas, and catalyze the development of innovative multi-campus and multi-disciplinary research and educational collaborations between partners in both jurisdictions.

Bilateral teams are encouraged to put forward short proposals for collaborative initiatives that aim to address key priorities shared by California and Canada, leverage the complementary strengths of both jurisdictions and emphasize delivery to the market place. This may include the establishment of bilateral R&D consortia, the structuring of Canada-California Centers of Excellence and the creation of new working relations between university systems, in addition to other collaborations. Teams may propose bilateral initiatives in priority areas that include, but are not limited to: Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Green IT, Infectious Diseases, Next-Generation Digital Media and Sustainable Biofuels.

Full proposals are due May 1, 2009. Please see the CCSIP Call for Proposals (pdf)

For additional guidance and information contact:
UC Office Research and Graduate Studies
1111 Franklin Street, 11th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607

Department Deadlines
April 1 - AHFMR Postdoctoral Fellow Recruitment Grant (http://www.rso.ualberta.ca/ahfmriacvisiting.cfm)
April 29 - AHFMR Postdoctoral Fellow Recruitment Grant (http://www.rso.ualberta.ca/ahfmriacvisiting.cfm)
April 20 - Full, Invited Proposals. The First Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP) Call for Proposals (CFP) for Collaborative Initiatives Between California and Canada
May 1 - NSERC Major Resources Support Program, Letter of Intent. For more information and forms see http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/RTII-OIRI/MRS-ARM_eng.asp
May 25 - AHFMR Postdoctoral Fellow Recruitment Grant (http://www.rso.ualberta.ca/ahfmriacvisiting.cfm) 

OPEN DEADLINE:

NSERC Strategic Workshops Program
http://www.nserc.gc.ca/professors_e.asp?nav=profnav&lbi=swp

More information about these and other funding opportunities including all RSO deadlines until November 2009 are in the Target Point newsletter: http://www.mymailout.com/MyMailout/View.aspx?id=138874&p=63b1

News from the Associate Chair Graduate Studies

Celebration of Excellence 2008/2009
On behalf of Rolf Vinebrooke, Declan Ali, Chesceri Mason, and Michelle Green: Please join us as we celebrate the many recent accomplishments of our graduate students in Biological Sciences. On Monday, April 6, 2009, the Department of Biological Sciences will hold a Celebration of Excellence to recognize the awards and outstanding achievements of our graduate students in the Department in 2008/2009. The Celebration takes place in CW 410 and CW 422 with food and drinks being served at 3:30.pm. and presentations made at 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stay and socialize until 6:00p.m. We hope to see you then!

Funding Opportunities
Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Fellowship Program
The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is accepting applications for its fellowship program involving ethical issues relating to the use of animals in science.
Application deadline is March 31, 2009. For details, see http://www.ccac.ca/

United Nations University (UNU)-IAS Fellowship Programme
UNI-IAS offers PhD and postdoctoral fellowships to provide young scholars and policy-makers with a multi-disciplinarily context within which to pursue advanced research and training. The fellows are resident at UNU-IAS in Yokohama or UNU-ISP in Tokyo, Japan for the full term of the fellowship.
Application deadline is March 31, 2009. For details, see http://www.ias.unu.edu/fellowships

Grants for North American Language and Culture Teaching Assistants in Spain
The Ministry of Education of Spain has announced over 1,200 openings for Language and Cultural Assistants. This program gives recent graduates an opportunity to visit Spain and become acquainted with the Spanish education system, teachers and students, while sharing aspects of your own language and culture with students in the K-12 public school system. The grant is from October 2009 to May 2010.
Application deadline is April 15, 2009. For details, see http://www.mepsyd.es/exterior/usa/en/home/index.shtml       

Tenure Track Position in Oceanography (Remote Sensing) at ISMER
Concours No: ISMER 09-01
The Institut des Scienes de la Mer de Rimouski (ISMER), is looking for a candidate to fill a regular faculty position in oceanography, specialized in remote sensing. ISMER is looking for a dynamic individual who will contribute to the research and teaching objectives of the Institute through collaborations with existing faculties, and who will develop independent funded research programs involving students at the M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels. ISMER is an autonomous Research Institute which is part of Universite du Quebec a Rimouski, and it includes faculty and support staff in all major disciplines of oceanography. In addition to well-equipped laboratories, the institute operates a sea water field research station and a 50-m research vessel. Research at ISMER focuses mostly on the coastal zone, particularly in the large-sized estuary and gulf of St. Lawrences. Remote-sensing is of particular interest for such a large region. The working language is French.

Position Summary:
This position is primarily for an oceanographer with expertise in remote sensing in coastal environments. The candidate's expertise should include studies on marine primary production, organice matter, and sediment transport, using remote-sensing tools. The successful candidate should demonstrate expertise in field research. He/she will be encouraged to develop his/her own research program, and collaborate with biologists, chemists, physicists and geologists from the Institute and the University.

The candidate must have a PhD in oceanography (biology), geography or evironmental sciences, or related fields, with a thesis dealing with remote sensing. A minimum of one year post-doctoral experience and a substantial list of publications at an international level in a field related to the position are requested. He or she must be able to contribute to the M.Sc. and PhD programs through teaching and graduate student supervision.

Candidates must provide a curriculum vitae, a description of their research activities and teaching capabilities and the contact information of three referees.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications should sent to the following address:
Chairman, Institutional Assembly,
Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski
310, allee des Ursulines, C.P. 3300
Rimouski (Quebec) G5K 3A1 

Tenure Track Position in Ecological Modeling at University of Montreal
The Department of Biology invites applications for a tenure-track position for an Assistant Professor specializing in Ecological Modeling

Aff : FAS 02-09 / 8
Starting Date: After August 1, 2009 (subject to budget approval)

The Université de Montréal offers a competitive salary and a complete range of fringe benefits.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses, supervise graduate students, conduct independent research, produce publications, and contribute to the life and administration of the University. Upon arrival, the priority will be to develop an undergraduate course in ecological modeling.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to consult the Department’s Web site: www.bio.umontreal.ca.

Requirements

· Ph.D. in ecological modeling or a related field

· Postdoctoral research experience is an asset

· Strong publication record in international journals with high visibility

· Innovative research program in ecological modeling of ecosystems. Interest in modeling the distribution and/or flow of contaminants, nutrients, genes or organisms at various levels in aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems. Candidates are expected to complement theoretical modeling with experimental or field validation.

· Interest in interdisciplinary research and openness to collaboration with members of the Department

· Excellent aptitude for teaching in higher education and incorporating new technologies

· A good working knowledge of French is required. French being the teaching language on campus, candidates who do not speak French should acquire an adequate knowledge of it within a reasonable period after the appointment.

Candidates’ file, including a curriculum vitae, copies of 3 recent publications or research, a description of their research program (2 pages maximum), and their teaching philosophy should be sent by April 15, 2009. Three confidential letters of reference, from the thesis supervisor, postdoctoral research director, and employer should be sent under separate cover to the same address:

Madame Bernadette Pinel-Alloul, Directrice

Département de sciences biologiques

Université de Montréal

C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville

Montréal (Québec) H3C 3J7

Meanook Biological Research Station – Assistant Manager
Position Type: Full Time Summer Position
Position Length: May 1 – Aug 31, 2009
Salary Range: $1800/month plus accommodations/meals
Application Deadline: March 15, 2009

Teaching News

On/Off Campus News and Notices

Under this Agreement, staff members can make their own arrangements for
o  Regular full or part-time day care services for children ranging from infants to twelve years of age
o  Emergency back-up child care for situations where regular arrangements are interrupted
o  Elder care support services including consultation, assessment and home support services