Division of Environmental and Life Sciences

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

GSE Research and Development Internationally Recognised
Wendy Goldstein leads development of new sustainability Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) toolkit

Opportunities
- Macquarie's Community Education Awards
- Gene to Geosciences PhD Information Session

Events
- Biological Sciences Seminar
- Ride to Work Day this Wednesday!
- ELS Seminar Series

News from the Dean

Dear Colleagues

This past week I spent time at the University of Tasmania doing promotions interviews and on Friday we held more interviews for the CoRE positions in Climate Adaptation. Hopefully by 2008 we will have all our new research positions in pace so we can get down to business!

You all will have no doubt seen the final review documentation that is to go to Council. If not please check the website at:-
http://www.mq.edu.au/provost/reports/academicstructure/report_to_council.pdf
and please go to the forums where the plan and the process is to be explained on either:-

Tuesday 16/10/07 from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in the Whiteley/Mackenzie rooms, Level 3 of the SAM Building .

or

Thursday 18/10/07 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm in the Whiteley/Mackenzie rooms, Level 3 of the SAM Building .

Four opportunities have come our way:

Australian Fellowship award for outstanding health and medial researchers. Information can be found at:-http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/fellows/apply/granttype/career/index.htm

Australian Society for Microbiology Research Trust Award- http://www.theasm.com.au/research_trust

Student Research Awards -
http://www.ecolsoc.org.au/What we do/Prizes/StudentResearchPrize.html

Gruber Prize for Genetics 31/12/2007-
http://www.gruberprizes.org/Nominations/Nominations.php

Finally, In the coming vacation, there will be two scholarships available at CSIRO Molecular & Health Technologies in North Ryde for undergraduates who have completed three years of study and are interested in working at CSIRO for 8-12 weeks. See:- http://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/Job_Details.asp?RefNo=2007%2F1147
There are six projects described in the advertisement. The two projects at North Ryde are:- Project 2 - Stem cell-like properties of cancer cell lines and Project 6 - A simple blood test to assess general health.

Till next week

Liz

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GSE Research and Development Internationally Recognised

Wendy Goldstein of the GSE has been a lead author / editor of a toolkit for the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on Communication Education and Public Awareness in collaboration with the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC).

The kit aims to assist the coordinators of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and Convention, focal points to be more effective in communication, education and public awareness - in short CEPA - in order to manage social and individual change for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The toolkit is launched on the web, comprised of fact sheets, examples and check lists and is oriented to answering questions from about how to start, how to network, plan communication strategically etc. As well there are links to various resources. The website contains materials and resources suggested by the CEC networks that are considered relevant for further professional updating. The aim is to make this website a "living mechanism" to share useful resources and experiences from different parts of the world.

The new CEPA Toolkit is available online at www.cepatoolkit.org

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Opportunities

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Macquarie University Community Engagement Awards

Community Engagement Awards are to encourage and reward outstanding achievements in this core area of Macquarie 's strategic mission-to engage with the community at large and to promote access to high quality scholarship and services.

Outstanding Service Awards mark the long-term commitment and achievement of members of staff to their work at Macquarie University . The nominees for these awards will have made exceptional contributions to the University not recognised by awards for teaching, research or community outreach.

Awards may be made to individual staff or to groups.  The case for an award may rest on a combination of engagement and service.

Members of staff may put themselves forward for an award, or be nominated by a colleague.  The nomination should include an account of the outstanding contribution in engagement or service, a short curriculum vitae, a supporting statement from the relevant Dean or Head of Office, and the names of three members of staff who may be approached to support the nomination.

Nominations should be sent to Steven Pringle, Director, Community Engagement, BD Building, Level 2.

The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, 9 November 2007.

If you would like more information, please call Steven Pringle on 9850 4270.

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Genes to Geosciences PhD Information Session

Tuesday October 16th 2007 @ 1pm E8A290 (Biology Tearoom)

The Genes-to-Gesociences research center is running an information session for students who are thinking of doing a PhD.

The session will provide information on:

Why do a PhD
How to apply for a PhD and scholarship
What are the selection criterior for scholarships
What potential projects are available
What research support is provided by the division/departments/university

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Events

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Biological Sciences Seminar

Wednesday 17 October, 1:00 pm, Building E8A room 290 (Biology tearoom).

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Join Macquarie's Ride to Work Day team

October 17 is National Ride to Work Day and it's not too late to join the Macquarie University team.

National Ride to Work Day is Australia's biggest active workplace event - over 60,000 Australians are expected to don their riding gear next Wednesday and travel to work using pedal power.

Regardless of whether you're a regular bike commuter or a first-time rider, National Ride to Work Day is the perfect opportunity to do something for your health, and the health of the environment.

PhD student Adrian Emilsen is coordinating Macquarie's efforts and has so far signed up 54 riders keen to support the initiative. And, with support from the Vice-Chancellor's Office, he will also be hosting a free breakfast for staff and students of Macquarie University who cycle to the campus on 17 October.

"If you've ever thought of riding to work, this is the day to give it a go," says Emilsen. "Thousands of new riders are expected to join in from all parts of Australia. Riding to work is a great way to stay healthy and to help the environment by reducing carbon emissions."

National Ride to Work Day will stimulate over 10,600 tonnes of greenhouse gas savings in the first three years, so leave the car in the garage and participate in an initiative that will have a real impact on global warming.

For more information and to register visit www.ride2work.com.au. Macquarie’s team code is 723541. For details on the breakfast visit www.ofm.mq.edu.au/ride2work.htm. If you have any questions contact Emilsen on 0405 358 253 or at aemilsen@els.mq.edu.au

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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

Group therapy benefits mental health
Research has shown that group therapy can effectively treat  obsessive compulsive disorder and may result in more sufferers receiving help.

Australia faces health crisis
The health of Australia 's youth is in decline, according to research that paints a bleak picture of the nation's future health.

Allergies on the rise in Australia
A study has found that allergic conditions have increased in  Australia since 1990 and more people are being hospitalised for severe reactions.

Self-help effective as therapy
New research has shown that self-help procedures may be just as effective at treating social anxiety disorder as seeing a therapist.

Tea may prevent osteoporosis
Drinking tea may prevent osteoporosis in elderly women, according to a new study, which shows that tea drinkers have higher bone density than non tea drinkers.

Health ads fail to motivate kids
Research has shown that a $6 million Federal Government healthy lifestyle advertising campaign aimed at children has failed to "get kids moving".

Testosterone may cure Alzheimer's
A study has found that testosterone replacement therapy stops the protein that causes Alzheimer's and may cure the disease.

Chemo test improves cancer treatment
A researcher has developed a test that will improve cancer treatment and increase survival rates by determining whether or not chemotherapy is working.

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