Division of Environmental and Life Sciences

News From the Dean
The weekly update from the Dean of Division, Prof Liz Deane

The Secret Life of a GEMOC Geodynamic Modeller
So, what does a Geodynmic Modeller do on the weekends?

Opportunities
- Round 2 Linkage Projects for 2008, funding now open
- Science Communicator Job Opportunity at Sydney University
- Powerhouse Wizard 2007 - nominations closing soon

Events
- Music and the Cosmos: interesting lecture series at the Conservatorium of Music
- Special CBMS Teaching and Learning Focussed Seminar
- ELS Seminar Series

News from the Dean

Dear Colleagues

Last week I failed to congratulate Ron Oldfield on his marvellous photographic exhibition "The Small Writ Large". Not only is it a fabulous display of Ron's photos, but there is a wonderful catalogue to go with it. It's open till 5 October in the Art Gallery and some photos will now appear at Eden Gardens !

Thank you to all staff who contributed to another successful graduation - both those on and off stage! We had a lovely crop of PhDs and so congratulations to all their supervisors as well as the graduates themselves. Sarah Prout made a speech that we can all be proud of.

This week's opportunities:

•  Community Development and Ecology Conference - call for papers. Melbourne , March 26-28, 2008.n Details at:- http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts/cchr/eco-cd-conf08/ . There will be two streams to the conference, academic papers and community workshops and forums. Abstracts focused on Ecology and Community Development to be submitted by 31 October 2007 to aok@deakin.edu.au .

•  Applications for the 2008 National Science Week grants are open, closing on 19 October 2007. $ available between 2K to 40K. Details at:- www.dest.gov.au/scienceweek .

Finally, congratulations to Ms Veronika Polaskova (CBMS) who has just been awarded one of the HUPO Young Scientist Awards, to be presented at the Human Proteome Organisation World Congress in Seoul, South Korea.

Till next week

Liz

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The Secret Life of a GEMOC Geodynamic Modeller

During the day, Dr Craig O'Neill from GEMOC is a mild-mannered geodynamic modeller, conducting simulations of how the Earth's surface and interior have evolved over millions of years. Away from the office however, O'Neill is 'Extreme Man', with a penchant for wrestling man-eating alligators.

Like all brave action heroes, of course, O'Neill is blasé about these dangerous creatures.

"Alligators look terrifying but they are actually just like big puppy dogs," he says. "I saw the funniest thing in Louisiana - there was one across a footpath which must have been about 12 feet long and a friend and I stopped and wondered how we would get around it when this guy walking his dog came past. The dog just walked around the front of it and the guy stepped over it and just kept walking.

"I've spent a bit of time out in the swamps photographing alligators and I've handled gators of various sizes. I've also swum with freshwater crocs in Queensland and the Northern Territory , trekked through Mexican swamps looking for American crocs, and fed salties, but I'm not game enough to get in the water with them!"

What was your first job?
Delivering pizzas to stoners in the sticks on the Central Coast .

What do you like most about Macquarie ?
The people number one and the position second. And the ambience on campus is very nice, oh and the Uni is pretty close to the beach.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?
An old Judo Sensei of mine used to say "Craig, stop thinking too much. It's all just rat cunning".

Who inspires you?
Carl Sagan, the great science communicator. Up until a month before his death from cancer he was still attending meetings, giving interviews and generally spreading the word. He never let anything slow him down.

What are you addicted to?
Endorphins. I tend to get very grumpy if I don't run or go to the gym for a couple of days.

What is your ideal way of relaxing?
A camping/fishing/surfing trip on the North Coast .

What do you do best?
I'm great at taking the reigns in pub trivia and I have a reputation for my instant recall of Simpsons quotes and cultural references.

What's a good Sunday?
A sleep-in followed by a big brekkie then hanging out at the beach with a beer and a BBQ.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I have a lop-eared bunny named Booflet. I really wanted a dog called Boof but I live in a unit so I had to compromise. Because it's a female my wife wouldn't let me name it Boof, so Booflet it became.

Is there life after Macquarie ?
Life after Macquarie is hopefully a long, long way off. It's a bit like thinking about whether there is life after death!

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Opportunities

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LINKAGE PROJECTS 2008 ROUND 2 - for funding commencing in July 2008

The Linkage Projects Round 2 Application Form is now available in GAMS via the ARC website: http://www.arc.gov.au. To assist applicants to prepare proposals, an "Instructions to Applicants" document is available on the ARC website.

ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

The Research Office closing date for eligibility rulings/exemption requests, together with appropriate supporting documentation, is 5 pm Friday 28 September, 2007. The "ARC Eligibility Ruling Request" proforma is located on the ARC's website at: http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lp/lp_default.htm

APPLICATIONS

Information can be found at:
http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lp/lp_default.htm
http://www.research.mq.edu.au/researchers/funding/arc_schemes/linkage/arc_linkage

CHECKING PROCESS

1. Submit your application to Divisional Research Manager/ Administrator
- Contact them for their closing date and further information
- Divisional research managers will provide feedback on proposal content (additional text sections)

2. Divisions submit complete drafts of applications to the Research Office by 9 am Monday 5 November

3. Applications will be checked as follows:
- Summaries: reviews and feedback from DVC(R) Prof Jim Piper/ Prof Max Coltheart
- Budget: checks and feedback from Office of Financial Services
- Compliance with Funding Rules: checks and feedback from RO grants staff

4. Feedback emailed to applicants by 5 pm Tuesday 13 November

5. Applicants revise draft application and prepare final version

6. Final versions of applications due to the Research Office: 9 am Wednesday 21 November

7. RO complete final checks and processing for submission to the ARC

Good luck!!!

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Job Opportunity at University of Sydney

A fabulous opportunity for a Science Communicator has become available in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Sydney .

You can view the USYD online ad here: Science Communicator . Close of applications is 3/10/07.

If you are a highly motivated communicator with a biology background who loves working in a team environment; happy to take on some leadership responsibilities and provide creative/strategic input; you have experienced in producing newsletters (or similar) and can organise/manage events - this could be a job for you!

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POWERHOUSE WIZARD 2007 - NOMINATIONS CLOSING SOON!

Nominations are closing shortly for the Powerhouse Wizard 2007 Award. The Award spans the areas of design and decorative arts, Australian history, and science and technology and is a great opportunity for young achievers.

The Powerhouse Wizard 2007 will receive $5,000 to assist their career development and will have the opportunity to promote their work and achievements through public programs at the Powerhouse Museum . Last year's winner, Dominic Dowling, was involved in Sunday Afternoon Talks - and you can still see his fantastic mud brick house in the Level One Courtyard at the Powerhouse.

Nominations close on 2 October 2007. The winner will be announced at the Museum's Life Fellows Dinner on 8 November 2007.

More information available at www.powerhousemuseum.com/wizard ; or contact Dara Vongsonephet  on 02 9217 0577 for nomination form.

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Events

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SPECIAL LECTURE SERIES MUSIC AND THE COSMOS

From the hearts of stars, to the birth of galaxies, the universe sings with the music of the cosmos. In this unique event, leading astronomers from the University of Sydney - Tim Bedding, Peter Tuthill and Geraint Lewis - will describe how understanding this music reveals the Universe¹s deepest secrets. Their presentations will be intertwined with more earthly music inspired by our magnificent cosmos.

Special Guest Compere:
Robyn Williams, Presenter of the Science Show on Radio National

Featuring Imré Pallo conducting the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra Playing Mozart¹s Symphony 41 - Jupiter

When: From 6.00pm, Wednesday 3 October 2007
Where: Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie Street (cnr Bridge St) Sydney
Cost: Tickets $25 - adult    $18 - concession Includes post-event drinks courtesy of Roberts Estate Wines
How to book:    Booking in person: City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney, telephone bookings: 02 8256 2222, online bookings: www.cityrecitalhall.com

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Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences Special Seminar \

Monday 24 September 11:00 am , F7B Room 322

Professor Geoffrey Crisp, Centre for Learning and Professional
Development, University of Adelaide

"Interactive e-Assessment in Chemical and Biological Sciences: more than just multiple choice"

Abstract

This session offers an opportunity to find out about innovative practice in online assessment. The work is based on the Carrick Associate Fellowship project and describes how academic staff can prepare interactive computer-based assessments. The aim of the project is to assist academics to move beyond simple multiple choice questions to provide much richer, authentic and meaningful assessment tasks for students.

About the Speaker...

Geoff completed his Honours Degree (First Class) at the University of Queensland in 1977 and his PhD in Chemistry at the Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University in 1981. After postdoctoral work in Mulheim ad Ruhr in Germany (Humboldt Fellow); Colorado , USA and back at ANU in Canberra ; he began his first academic appointment in 1985 in the Chemistry Department at the University of Melbourne . In 1988 he moved to the Chemistry Department at the University of Adelaide and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2000. Geoff developed his passion for learning and teaching as well as continuing his work in chemistry during this time, being Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching for the Faculty of Science from 1999-2001. He was actively involved in the development of online learning in chemistry and was appointed the Director of the Online Learning and Teaching Unit in 2001 for the implementation of the university online system (MyUni). Geoff made a permanent move to educational and staff development and online learning by being appointed Director of the Centre for Learning and Professional Development in 2002.

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ELS Seminar Series

Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here.

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Snippets

Weed damages natives after death
New research has shown that one of southern Australia 's worst weeds, bridal creeper, continues to haunt native plants even after it has been killed.

Brain controls time perception
New research has shown that the activity in our brain can influence our sense of timing, increasing understanding of time perception and free will.

Aussies accepting nuclear science
A new study has shown that Australians are becoming increasingly aware of nuclear science and support a nuclear facility in the country.

Herbicide resistant ryegrass spreads
Research has found widespread herbicide resistance in Western Australian ryegrass, highlighting management and sustainability issues for grain growers.

Taste test leads to onion classification
Onions that can be eaten raw are now labelled as mild under a new classification system, thanks to a test that reliably assesses an onion's flavour.

Homeless need more than houses
A new study has shown that simply providing housing for homeless Australians is not a solution to the health crisis that they face.

Discrimination triggers depression
A new report has found that cultural discrimination is clearly linked to poor mental, and perhaps heart, health and is still prevalent in society.

Astronomers discover 14 new galaxies
In an astronomical breakthrough scientists have discovered 14 distant galaxies in our Universe by examining the glare of cosmic flashlights.

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