Volume 12, Number 8
Submissions
Submissions, questions, or comments to Deanne Timmons 2-3310 -deanne.timmons@ualberta.ca
Submission deadline for the next issue is at noon on Wednesday, March 9
Department Calendar
March 7 Noon-hour Classes Cancelled
Payroll Deadlines and Information http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/department/hr/
Department News and Notices
Bovine Special Event
Our very own grad students' biology band "Mad Cows" were selected to play in the "Battle of the Bands" at the Power Plant this Saturday, March 5th. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and you can catch their set from 10:40-11:00. Friendly faces from BioSci in the audience will be very welcome! For more information on the concert, e-mail jon.lovell@su.ualberta.ca
BGSA Curling Bonspiel
The BGSA is hosting the 2nd annual BGSA Curling Bonspiel on Saturday, March 5 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Saville Sports Centre, 6501-115 Street (University of Alberta South Campus). Trophies will be awarded for best team overall and a spirit award (costumes encouraged). We have booked the bar at the Saville Centre for after the curling bonspiel. Registration is no longer possible, as all spaces have been filled. Thanks to all those who registered for what promises to be a fun event! Contact Danielle Cobbaert if you have any questions at cobbaert@ualberta.ca.
Cancellation of Classes
In accordance with General Faculties Council policy, classes will be cancelled from noon until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7 for the Students' Union election rally. The rally takes place in the Myer Horowitz Theatre in SUB. Instructors are asked to be aware of this cancellation and that they inform students of the reason for the cancellation.
Summer Temporary Employment Program/Summer Career Placement Program
The applications process has now begun. Please see below for more detailed information on the particular program. The Department has normally submitted the unsuccessful STEP applications for consideration by the SCP program. However, because we will not hear back from the STEP program until after the SCP program application deadline, Joy Correia will need to submit all applications received by the March 8 deadline to both programs unless you indicate otherwise. See program guidelines.
STEP application information must be given to Joy by March 8, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. The Faculty Office will inform us of their decisions around April 4th, 2005. SCP only funding application will be accepted until March 18, 2005. Thanks for your cooperation in meeting the tight timelines.
If you’d like some assistance to fill your summer positions (with or without STEP or SCP funding), you may choose to post these positions with Career and Placement Services (CaPS). All University of Alberta students and alumni can access these jobs ensuring that you receive resumes from top notch candidates. CaPS receives between 1200 and 1500 hits a day on their website. To post a position with CaPS, visit the website at http://www.ualberta.ca/CAPS/CaPS_d2.html. Complete and submit the Job Posting Submission Form or call Carey Castillo at 2-4203 or e-mail carey.castillo@ualberta.ca.
Defensive Driving Course
Diane Caird from Earth and Atmospheric Sciences has 10 spaces in a defensive driving course that she is offering on Saturday, March 19th, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Tory 3-36. Cost is $15 and if you would like to attend, please contact Diane at: diane.caird@ualberta.ca to sign up. I will be offering similar courses in the last week of April and the first week of May and these will be advertised in Biofeedback.
Entomology Treasures
Last chance to view a special entomology exhibit. A special exhibit curated by George Ball is on display only until March 2005 at the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library (Rutherford South). More information is available using the following link: http://www.library.ualberta.ca/specialcollections/exhibits/insect.html
Gala & Fundraiser 2005
Another collection from BioSci is the subject of a special night next week. The 2nd Annual Gala & Fundraiser for the museum and collections of vertebrate palaeontology at the UofA takes place on Saturday, March 12 at the Faculty Club. Keynote address by Dr. Phil Currie, Curator of Dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, an update on last year's Martian 'palaeontology' presentation by Dr. Chris Herd and a fabulous Silent Auction caps off the evening. Tickets are $85 for which you will receive a great meal and a $50 tax receipt. Detailed information at www.biology.ualberta.ca/uapm.hp/ or contact Mike Caldwell at 2-3458 or mw.caldwell@ualberta.ca
Seminars
Thursday, March 3, 2005, 1:00 p.m., M 137 Biological Sciences Building
Mark A. Wolansky, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"GENETIC MANIPULATION OF ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE LEVELS IN Brassica napus: NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY"
M.Sc. Thesis
Thursday, March 3, 2005, 4:00 p.m., TBW-1 Tory Breezeway
Harriet Harris, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"SEX AMONG INSECTS: CYTOPLASMIC INCOMPATIBILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENDOSYMBIONT Wolbachia pipientis "
Entomology 602
Friday, March 4, 2005, 3:30 p.m., M 149 Biological Sciences Building
Ian Forsythe, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"THE CANADIAN BIOINFORMATICS HELP DESK"
Genetics 605
Monday, March 7, 2005, 11:00 a.m., M 137 Biological Sciences Building
Isabelle Lau, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"REGULATION OF THE HEAT SHOCK RESPONSE IN Escherichia coli"
Microbiology 606-607 & 406
Monday, March 7, 2005, 12:00 p.m., M 149 Biological Sciences Building
Diana Lopez-Santiago, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"METAL TOXICITY IN PLANTS: THE ROLE OF THE ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM AS A TOLERANCE MECHANISM"
Botany 600
Monday, March 7, 2005, 3:00 p.m., B 121 Biological Sciences Building
Stefan Little, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"INVESTIGATIONS OF AN EOCENE LAURACEAE: FRESH TECHNIQUES USING DEAD PLANTS"
Biology 506/507
Wednesday, March 9, 2005, 11:00 a.m., M 137 Biological Sciences Building
Zileena Zahir, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"TOLERANCE OF BACTERIA TO ORGANIC SOLVENTS"
Microbiology 606-607 & 406,
Thursday, March 10, 2005, 12:30 p.m., V 112 Physics V-Wing
Serene Wohlgemuth, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"EATING INVADERS: AUTOPHAGY AND THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM"
Genetics 601
Thursday, March 10, 2005, 4:00 p.m., TBW 1 Tory Breezeway
Christina Elliott, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"FACTORS AFFECTING THE DISPERSAL, REPRODUCTION AND PHEROMONE RESPONSE OF MALE LARGE ASPEN TORTRIX (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)
Entomology 602
Friday, March 11, 2005, 12:00 p.m., M 149 Biological Sciences Building
Adrianne Rice and Melissa Day, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"M AND M'S - MICROBES AND MUTUALISMS: EXAMINING COMMON MYCORRHIZAL MYTHS FROM A MICROBIAL PERSPECTIVE"
Biology 631
Friday, March 11, 2005, 3:30 p.m., M 149 Biological Sciences Building
Tim Caulfield, Faculty of Law/Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta
"GENETICS IN THE MEDIA"
Genetics 605
Friday, March 11, 2005, 4:00 p.m., M 145 Biological Sciences Building
J. William Schopf, Department of Earth & Space Sciences, Institute of Geophysics & Planetary Physics, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles
"THE EARLIEST HISTORY OF LIFE: SOLUTION TO DARWIN'S DILEMMA"
Departmental, hosted by Ruth Stockey for the Systematics & Evolution Research Interest Group
Monday, March 14, 2005, 3:00 p.m., B 121 Biological Sciences Building
Lisa Lumley, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"AMPLIFIED FRAGMENT-LENGTH POLYMORPHISMS (AFLPs): THE TECHNIQUE, COMPARISON TO OTHER MOLECULAR METHODS, AND APPLICATIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY"
Biology 506/507
Thursday, March 17, 2005, 4:00 p.m., TBW 1 Tory Breezeway
Fred Gould, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University
"THE PARADOX OF EVOLUTIONARY DIVERSIFICATION IN MOTH SEXUAL COMMUNICATION"
Entomology 602
Friday, March 18, 2005, 12:00 p.m., M 149 Biological Sciences Building
Troy Wellicome, Canadian Wildlife Service, Edmonton, Alberta
"BURROWING OWLS"
Biology 631
Friday, March 18, 2005, 3:30 p.m., 3-27 Earth Sciences Building
Fred Gould, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University
"AUTOCIDAL CONTROL AND STRAIN REPLACEMENT: POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF TRANSGENIC INSECT TECHNOLOGY"
Strickland Memorial Lecture
Thursday, March 3, 2005, 2:00 p.m,. V 107 Physics V-Wing ***Note Room Change***
Paul Beier, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University
"COUGARS, CONNECTIVITY, AND MISSING LINKAGES: 18 YEARS OF SCIENCE AND ADVOCACY"
Renewable Resources, University of Alberta
Paul Frame, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
"RESPONSE OF WOLVES TO CARIBOU MIGRATION PATTERNS AND ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCE IN THE CENTRAL CANADIAN ARCTIC"
Northern Speakers’ Series, sponsored by Circumpolar Students’ Association with CCI
Fiona Schmiegelow, Renewable Resources, University of Alberta
"CONSERVATION BEYOND CRISIS MANAGEMENT: A NEW MODEL FOR BOREAL FORESTS OF CANADA"
Under the Northern Lights: The Boreal Forest, sponsored by ERSC and SFM
Links to biosci-related seminars on campus:
Anthropology - http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/anthropology/index.html
Cell Biology - http://www.ualberta.ca/CELLBIOLOGY/newsandevents.html
Chemistry - http://www.chem.ualberta.ca/news_seminars.html
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences - http://easweb.eas.ualberta.ca/events/eventtype.cfm?eventtypeid=1
ERSC - http://www.ualberta.ca/ersc/es.htm
Mathematical Biology - http://www.math.ualberta.ca/~mathbio/seminar/2004-2005_Seminars.html
Medicine (all groups) - http://www.med.ualberta.ca/news-publications/calendar.cfm Renewable Resources - http://www.rr.ualberta.ca/What's%20Happening/Seminars_lectures/
UofA Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society http://www.rr2.ualberta.ca/wildlifesociety/
News from the Chair
Check out internal job advertisements at http://www.careers.ualberta.ca/
Check out external job advertisements by clicking here.
News from the Associate Chair Research
The National Research Council in collaboration with other agencies, has launched Funding Guide for International Science and Technology Cooperation, an online funding guide for international cooperation. The guide is divided into three sections: 1) Grants and bursaries that provide support for collaborative research projects, visits from a few weeks up to one year, workshops/seminars/conferences, travel support; 2) Postdoctoral fellowships that can be undertaken either in Canada or in a foreign organization; 3) Major international prizes for which Canadian researchers may apply. Please see http://fgic-gfci.scitech.gc.ca.
Department Deadlines for Grants and Proposals
Click here for details and RSO/agency deadlines.
March 7 - NSERC - Nano Innovation Platform http://www.physics.mcgill.ca/NSERCnanoIP/e/
March 8 - University of Alberta Internal - UA Conference Fund, Self-Funded Research, Fund for Learned Journals Edited at the University of Alberta http://www.rso.ualberta.ca/internalforms.cfm
April 1 - NSERC Strategic Project Grants http://www.nserc.gc.ca/professors_e.asp?nav=profnav&lbi=b1
April 11 - EFF Distinguished Visitor's Fund (Please submit a draft letter of support from the department with your application) http://www.ualberta.ca/~univhall/vp/vpa/Awards&Funding/EFF-DVGuideline'Application.doc
No Deadline NSERC Research Partnership Agreements with Canadian Departments and Agencies
No Deadline Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Open Deadline Canadian Health Services Research Foundation - Career Re-orientation Award
Open Deadline ICORE Visiting Professor Grants
News from the Associate Chair Graduate Studies
Click here for funding opportunity information, recent news and notices.
Pre-register for the workshops at CaPS, 2-100 SUB, or by calling 2-4291 with your credit card. The cost for each workshop is $20 students/$40 non-students. The price includes several handouts and a voucher for a one hour individual consultation with the CaPS Career Advisor.
The Academic Interview: Advice for Perfecting Your Interview Skills
Academic staff will attend this workshop to share their experience, offer advice and answer questions for the Science, Engineering and Related Disciplines on Thursday, March 10, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at 4-02 SUB.
Pre-registration is required by March 4.
Learn a career-decision making model, sample self-assessment tools, explore post-academic career opportunities, and plan how to market the skills you acquired in academia for the Science, Engineering and Related Disciplines on Tuesday, March 22, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at 4-02 SUB. Pre-registration is required by March 18.
News from the Associate Chair Undergraduate Studies
Training and Workshops
Workplace Learning Workshop Listings & Registration 2005 are now available at www.learningshop.ualberta.ca . Workshops are presented by senior UofA staff. All Academic & Support Staff are welcome - register online.
Wellness Week is March 14 - 20, 2005
There will be much more information about Wellness Week available in the upcoming weeks. Activities during the week will involve the entire campus; students and staff alike. In addition to the, demonstration stations, Ultimate Frisbee, Largest Yoga Class, and wrap-up Skating party, HPaWS is sponsoring the On the Move Walk, and Wellness Fair. To visit the Virtual Wellness website go to http://www.virtualwellness.ualberta.ca/. See below for a few highlights:
March 17 - Location: SUB Main floor and Dinwoodie Lounge
UofA Wellness Fair: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"It's About Healthy Choices ... Spring into Action" is the theme of the second annual Wellness Week fair. Keeping up to date with the wide range of services available to assist students and staff members in maintaining a healthy lifestyle often seems virtually impossible. The fair is designed to bring resources for all aspects of health and wellbeing to you in one central location. Over 30 organizations and agencies will be on hand with a multitude of interactive displays, information and representatives to answer your questions. Throughout the day a number of guest speakers will take centre stage to discuss a wide range of topics from active living and menu planning on a budget through to laughter and work life balance for high achievers. You will also have an opportunity to enter the draws at the individual booths for your chance to win a number of fantastic prizes!
Lunch and Learn
March is "National Nutrition Month" - Wellness Week is March 14-20
All sessions take place from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. and are free of charge. To register, call Mari Pizzey at 2-0725 or e-mail mari.pizzey@hrs.ualberta.ca
March 14 - Location: QUAD
Just for Fun Series: UofA On the Move Walk, presented by Health Promotion and Worklife Services & Students Union
Kick off wellness week by joining us for a 30-minute walk that will depart from the QUAD at approximately 12:15. Come and enjoy a scenic tour around our campus with friends, fellow students and co-workers it's the perfect way to get started! Walk participants are encouraged to enter their name in the draw box prior to the walk. A draw will be held and prizes presented immediately following the walk.
March 16 - Location: Main Gym, Van Vliet Centre
Mental Health Series: UofA's Biggest Yoga Class, presented by Campus Recreation
Join Campus Recreation's Yoga instructors as they lead you through this one-of-a-kind yoga class. The class will feature a variety of styles of yoga. They are hoping to set a new record for the largest yoga class ever held at the UofA and in the City of Edmonton. No prior experience required, just be prepared to feel great!
March 23 - Location: Heritage Lounge, Athabasca Hall
Physical Health Series: Nutrition Information, presented by Meg Oechslin
Meg is a registered dietician and will be speaking to us about the nutrition services available throught hte University's service provider, Wilson Banwell. She will be providing some quick tips for healthy snacking and lunch ideas. This will be an informal, interactive setting. Please bring any questions you have on these topics.
Department Classifieds
Car for Sale
Great field or winter vehicle! 1988 Toyota Corolla all-wheel drive station wagon. Blue, runs great, some rust, 292K km, a steal at $2000. For more information, contact Cam Gillies at cgillies@ualberta.ca or 435-0151.
Teaching News
Click here for archived columns and articles.
On/Off Campus News and Notices
Staff Learning and Development
Workplace Learning Workshop Listings & Registration 2005 are now available at www.learningshop.ualberta.ca . Workshops are presented by senior UofA staff. All Academic & Support Staff are welcome - register online.
Wellness Week is March 14 - 20, 2005
There will be much more information about Wellness Week available in the upcoming weeks. Activities during the week will involve the entire campus; students and staff alike. In addition to the, demonstration stations, Ultimate Frisbee, Largest Yoga Class, and wrap-up Skating party, HPaWS is sponsoring the On the Move Walk, and Wellness Fair. To visit the Virtual Wellness website go to http://www.virtualwellness.ualberta.ca/. See below for a few highlights:
March 9 - Location: Cookie Lounge, Agriculture Forestry Centre
Healthy Pancake Breakfast: 7:30am - ? (until supplies last!) By donation, proceeds to go to the Edmonton School Lunch Program. Sponsored by Nutrition and Food Science Student Association (NuFSSA) Get with the Nutrition Month campaign theme - Go the Healthy Way! Eat Well, Live Well and Feel Great! Savourez la sante! Mangez bien, bougez et debordez de vie!
March 17 - Location: SUB Main floor and Dinwoodie Lounge
UofA Wellness Fair: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"It's About Healthy Choices ... Spring into Action" is the theme of the second annual Wellness Week fair. Keeping up to date with the wide range of services available to assist students and staff members in maintaining a healthy lifestyle often seems virtually impossible. The fair is designed to bring resources for all aspects of health and wellbeing to you in one central location. Over 30 organizations and agencies will be on hand with a multitude of interactive displays, information and representatives to answer your questions. Throughout the day a number of guest speakers will take centre stage to discuss a wide range of topics from active living and menu planning on a budget through to laughter and work life balance for high achievers. You will also have an opportunity to enter the draws at the individual booths for your chance to win a number of fantastic prizes!
Lunch and Learn
March is "National Nutrition Month" - Wellness Week is March 14-20
All sessions take place from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. and are free of charge. To register, call Mari Pizzey at 2-0725 or e-mail mari.pizzey@hrs.ualberta.ca
March 14 - Location: QUAD
Just for Fun Series: UofA On the Move Walk, presented by Health Promotion and Worklife Services & Students Union
Kick off wellness week by joining us for a 30-minute walk that will depart from the QUAD at approximately 12:15. Come and enjoy a scenic tour around our campus with friends, fellow students and co-workers it's the perfect way to get started! Walk participants are encouraged to enter their name in the draw box prior to the walk. A draw will be held and prizes presented immediately following the walk.
March 16 - Location: Main Gym, Van Vliet Centre
Mental Health Series: UofA's Biggest Yoga Class, presented by Campus Recreation
Join Campus Recreation's Yoga instructors as they lead you through this one-of-a-kind yoga class. The class will feature a variety of styles of yoga. They are hoping to set a new record for the largest yoga class ever held at the UofA and in the City of Edmonton. No prior experience required, just be prepared to feel great!
March 23 - Location: Heritage Lounge, Athabasca Hall
Physical Health Series: Nutrition Information, presented by Meg Oechslin
Meg is a registered dietician and will be speaking to us about the nutrition services available throught hte University's service provider, Wilson Banwell. She will be providing some quick tips for healthy snacking and lunch ideas. This will be an informal, interactive setting. Please bring any questions you have on these topics.
This Week's Funny
Jeff Foxworthy on Canadian residents:
If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Canada.
If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through April, you might live in Canada.
If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Canada.
If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Canada.
If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Canada.
If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Canada.
If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialled a wrong number, you might live in Canada.
You measure distance in hours.
You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again.
You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
You install security lights on your house and garage and then leave both unlocked. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow (well, some winters!).
You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."