University of Alberta
BIOFEEDBACK, Week Ending: March 16, 2006,
Volume 13, Number 10

News from the Associate Chair Graduate Studies

Comparative Invertebrate Embryology
Session A: June 12 - July 15, 2006, M-F 8-5; S 8-12
Biology 536 (9 credits)  Dr. Billie J. Swalla and Dr. Sally Leys
This course will provide extensive hands-on laboratory experience with the fertilization and development of most invertebrate phyla including: Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Brachiopoda, Phoronida, Bryozoa, Mollusca, Polychaeta, Chaetognatha, Echinodermata, Hemichordata and Urochordata. The lectures will focus on cellular and molecular analysis of evolutionary changes in development as well as reproduction and gametogenesis. The course will emphasize morphological processes and discuss similarities and differences in embryos. Several field trips will acquaint students with the rich invertebrate fauna of the San Juan Islands. The class is at the graduate student level, but exceptionally qualified undergraduate students will be considered.
 
Enrollment is limited to 12 students. For additional information, contact: bjswalla@u.washington.edu or sleys@ualberta.ca
 
J.H. Stewart Memorial Fellowship Trust
Minimum scholarship of $5,000 is awarded annually to a student registered in a doctoral program at a Canadian university, and that has a first-class academic record. The student must have completed their comprehensive examinations, or equivalent, and have had their Doctoral thesis proposal accepted by April 30th. Student must not hold scholarships that exceed in total $25,000 inclusive of the J. H. Stewart Reid Memorial Fellowship Trust. Deadline: April 30, 2006. For more information, visit the website: http://stewartreid.caut.ca/English/default.htm
 
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - Health Research Communications Awards
Value: The maximum amount for a single award is $26,000 for up to 2 years: Stipend: $21,000 per year. For awards held outside Canada, $5,000 is added to the annual stipend. Stipends are valued in Canadian dollars and are taxable. This award is non-renewable.
Eligibility: These awards are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. The program is open to those who have completed one or more degrees related to human health or completed any degree supplemented by significant additional coursework in human health and who have applied or those who have been accepted into a full time journalism or communications degree program. In addition, candidates must have a proven aptitude for health research communications and may not hold any other major scholarship or award. Applications for awards to be held outside of Canada are welcome.
Deadline: April 1, 2006. CIHR's mandate is to create new knowledge and to translate that knowledge into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system. The purpose of this Request for Applications is to increase the number of Canadian writers engaged in communicating the findings and implications of health research. It is expected that this targeted investment will lead to more effective communication of health research in Canada. For more information, visit: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/30091.html 
  
National Park Science Scholars
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program is pleased to announce its 2006 competition. The program is a collaboration among Canon U.S.A. Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the US National Park Service. Thanks to a generous commitment by Canon U.S.A., Inc., the program will be awarding eight $8,000 scholarships to Ph.D. students throughout the Americas to conduct research critical to conserving the national parks of the region. Research projects in the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences are eligible, as well as projects in a new category -- technology innovation in support of conservation science. Applications must be received by May 3, 2006. For information about The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program and a copy of the Application Guide, please visit the website at: www.nature.nps.gov/canonscholarships/