News From the Dean |
Dear Colleagues,
A quiet news week this issue. However, I would like to draw your attention to the following items and events. ARC Preparation Workshops
The Learning and Teaching Centre is planning a series of ARC preparation workshops for October/November. These workshops are particularly intended for early career researchers and those who have tried ARC but not yet had success. Details and registration are at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/learningandteachingcentre/LTCWorkshops/Workshops.php
Developing and Assessing Students' Research Skills in the Curriculum
The Division of Linguistics and Psychology cordially invites all staff to an interactive seminar and workshop on the topic of 'Developing and Assessing Students' Research Skills in the Curriculum', to be given by Dr John Willison (University of Adelaide) and Dr Judi Homewood (Macquarie University). The seminar will be held on Monday 8 September at C5C, Room 498, from 10am-2.30pm. For details see:
http://www.announcements.mq.edu.au/events/Psychology_Seminar
AUQA Review Visit May 2009
The Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) will be undertaking a second review of Macquarie in the week commencing Monday 4 May 2009. This is known as AUQA2. To keep all staff and students up-to-date on the processes the University is undertaking in preparation for AUQA2 a series of Newsletters are being developed. The first of these is now online. In addition, a website has been created to provide a one-stop-shop for all AUQA2 documentation. Please see www.mq.edu.au/quality/auqa2.htm .
Macquarie Learning and Teaching Forum - 23 September
I mentioned in last week's issue the forthcoming L&T Forum. The URL for registration has now been set up:
http://www.mq.edu.au/learningandteachingcentre/LTCWorkshops/WorkshopDetails.php?WorkshopID=352
The Forum is titled "Assessing Learning, Communicating Standards" and will cover such issues as:
- How are standards set?
- How can they be communicated to all involved (teaching teams, students, sessional tutors, fieldwork and placement assessors)?
- How is consistency and accuracy amongst assessors assured?
- How can students be best aided in their transition from schools, further education, the workforce and other international education systems to Macquarie University learning and assessment?
- What are some examples of really effective learning, teaching and assessment practices here at MQ?
- What incentives, supports and resources are available to support positive changes in assessment?
With the new Assessment Policy coming into operation next year it will be a useful session to attend.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) - 2009 Graduate Employment & Development Program . The AFMA are currently recruiting for graduates with a genuine interest in establishing a career in natural resource management from the following academic disciplines: natural resource management; marine science; fisheries management; environmental science; maritime and environmental law; natural resource economics; or any mix of these disciplines. Applications close on 12 September 2007. Further information is available from Evelyn Walkden, Graduate Coordinator, tel 6225 5457, email recruitment@afma.gov.au or www.afma.gov.au .
Before signing off . I would like to thank all the Heads of Departments, Learning and Teaching Committee representatives and other staff across the Division who have been working on preparing the documentation on programs and majors arising out of the Curriculum Review for submission to APC. This is a lot of work on top of already full workloads and I would like to take this opportunity to say a public thank you (for the work done . and that still to be done!)
Till next week,
Kevin
[Back to top]
____________________________
|
Research project takes a new approach to detection of sports doping |
New anti-doping research underway at Macquarie University's Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF) should make it easier in future to identify drug cheats in sports who use synthetic human growth hormone (GH) as a performance enhancer.
Using the science of proteomics to measure proteins present in biological processes such as growth, development and disease, the research project focuses on creating a method to distinguish between natural body-produced GH and injected synthetic GH.
Natural GH is produced by the pituitary glands for cell reproduction, growth and development. Synthetic GH, which is produced by recombinant DNA technology, has long been favoured as a performance enhancer with elite athlete drug cheats. So far, it has been virtually invisible to drug testers.
While the exact method being used to detect synthetic GH at the Beijing Olympic Games has not been revealed, lead investigator on the APAF project, Dr Alamgir Khan, says he and fellow researchers, Dr Mark Molloy and Jennifer Wallace, from the University of Queensland are taking a different approach.
"Our test utilises a new approach that combines information from GH marker proteins and visualises natural and synthetic GH," Khan says.
The APAF research project received almost $360,000 in Federal Government funding through the Department of Health and Aging's Anti-Doping Research Program (ADRP). The research builds on a previous international scientific collaboration begun in 1999 when three new methodologies were developed by Wallace and co-authors and Khan's track record on detecting erythropoietin (EPO) using proteomics technology.
This story adapted from a story appearing on the Macquarie University website.
[Back to top]
____________________________
|
Opportunities |
- Canadian Social and Cultural Studies Postgraduate Research Grants
|
A number of opportunities exist for postgraduates and recent doctoral graduates to pursue research or teaching in Canadian Studies. Canadian Studies is defined as research which aims at a better understanding of Canadian society and/or culture and includes disciplines in the social sciences. The grants are offered by the Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ), the International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) and the Government of Canada. Guidelines and application forms for all programs are available at: http://www.acsanz.org.au/funding.html.
|
|
Market Leading Company in South Brisbane requires QC Chemists to fill multiple 12 month contracts. They are looking for people that will easily fit into their friendly working culture.
Desirable attributes include:
A Degree in Chemistry or a related discipline
Previous experience as a QC Chemist
Previous experience testing Pharmaceutical raw materials and finished products
Working Knowledge of GMP/GLP/SOPs and associated Quality Systems
Use of USP/BP/EP/JP
Solid Wet Chemistry and Instrumentation experience (HPLC/GC/TLC/FTIR/UV-Vis)
Experience working in a TGA licensed organisation
A competitive remuneration package is on offer for the right person. Visit www.techstaff.com.au to view available jobs.
[Back to top] ____________________________ |
Events |
- Biological Sciences Seminar
|
"An Update on Climate Science and the Political Response"
by Prof. Tim Flannery, Macquarie University
Wednesday 3 September, 1-2pm, E8A rm 290 (Biology tearoom)
|
- Total Environment Centre Talk - Tillegra Dam: Environmental Folly or Water Wise?
|
The controversial proposal for a new dam in the Hunter Valley will cost up to $1 billion and flood an area the size of Sydney Harbour. Professor Stuart White, Cate Faehrmann, John Kaye and Carol Pasenow discuss why the dam should not proceed.
Time: 5:15pm-6:30pm Sep 01 Cost: Free
Venue: Jubilee Room, NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney
Enquiries: Total Environment Centre 02 92613437
|
- Green Biz Cafe Talk "Behind the Green Spin"
|
"GreenWashing", making misleading or false claims about the environmental benefits of products or services, is being clamped down on by ACCC and other industry bodies. Richard Collins, managing editor of WME media, talks about the six sins of greenwash.
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Sep 08 Cost: $5 incl. refreshment
Venue: The Fair Trade Cafe, 33 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
Enquiries: GreenBizCafe greenbizcafe.com.au (02) 96603303
[Back to top] ____________________________ |
Snippets |
Foreign plants taking over Australia
Foreign plant species now make up half of Australia's flora, research has found, and experts say many of them could be 'weeds in waiting'.
New drug slows down cancer
Cancer patients have been given new hope thanks to the development of a drug that slows cancer's growth by activating a "brake cable" gene.
Gold mines could save cockatoos
New research on black cockatoos could allow gold mines to plan their revegetation in a way that would provide food and habitat for the endangered birds.
Vines prove Lisa Simpson wrong
Research has found that 92 per cent of vines twist anti-clockwise, regardless of hemisphere, proving Lisa Simpson's Coriolis effect theory doesn't apply to plants.
Sanctuaries "may not save corals"
International experts have warned that many marine sanctuaries are not correctly placed or large enough to save corals from the impacts of climate change.
Youth prefer blogging to voting
Young Australians are not apathetic, but are more likely to show their political preferences through blogging or protesting rather than by voting, research has found.
New distraction leaves pain behind
A toylike device has been designed to distract children while they undergo painful medical procedures, diminishing the pain they experience.
Comptuting careers outstrip takers
Australia, especially inland Australia, faces catastrophic shortages in information and communication technology (ICT) professionals.
[Back to top]
____________________________ |
