Research Enrichment Program

One key aim of the Genes to Geoscience Research Enrichment Program (GGREP) is for researchers to encounter during their PhD new research questions and possibilities across a wider range of fields than just in their own lab. They will then be better prepared to take the lead as new cross-discipline fields emerge. The second key aim is for researchers to learn useful skills, at higher standard and more efficiently than by self-education.

MENU FOR SECOND SEMESTER 2008

Writing for journals and for grants and citation metrics (1 day, Tue 22nd July)
Mike Gillings, Culum Brown, Chris Lusk, Mariella Herberstein (all Genes to Geoscience).
An introduction to authorship as a scientist. For practice, you will draft a small research proposal during the day. As incentive, a research grant of $1000 will be offered for the best draft proposal to undertake research that bridges disciplines.

Macroevolution: processes and patterns (1 day, Monday 1st September)
Drew Allen (Genes to Geoscience), Academics and postdocs welcome.
Macroevolution is production and loss of species and of trait diversity over geological time. What are the main models that have been proposed about how this happens? How do the predictions from different models stand up against the evidence? What are the most exciting questions currently, about large-scale patterns in evolution? Slide presentation

New opportunities from new equipment (2 half-days, mornings of Tues 23rd and Thu 25th September)
Organized by Mariella Herberstein (Genes to Geoscience), various contributors. Academics and postdocs welcome. Takes the form of a tour round some items of equipment. The aim is to get ideas what kinds of question can be asked. If you decide the equipment is useful for your research, you can get more detailed training later about how to use it.

Toughness, elasticity and breakage of biological materials (1 day, Monday September 29th)
Josh Madin (Genes to Geoscience). Concepts and methods from engineering applied to breaking corals, bending twigs, stretching silk and lots of other materials. Introduction; Fluid dynamics; fluid forces; materials; beam theory; case studies; laboratory

Building and maintaining your personal website (1 day, Monday 13th October)
Josh Madin (Genes to Geoscience), Academics and postdocs welcome. Hands-on: you will have a website at the end of the day! Slide presentation

Colour: concepts and measurement. (half-day, Tuesday 21st October - postponed until 2009)
Mariella Herberstein (Genes to Geoscience), Academics and postdocs welcome. How to quantify colour for different plants or animals; colour and contrast; colour signals and communication between animals or plants and animals.

Where biology, geology and chemistry meet (1 day, Thursday 23rd October )
Simon George (Genes to Geoscience), . Academics and postdocs welcome. Lectures and exercises at the interface of proteomics, molecular biology and organic geochemistry; how microorganisms affect geological deposits and vice versa; biomarkers in present-day environments; chemical record of life on earth; extraterrestrial biomarkers. Talk on amber; talk on microorganisms; talk on biomarkers and oil; talk on marine biochemistry; introductory talk; talk on biochem & proteomics; talk on chemical record on earth; biomarkers present day; final presentation

 

To enrole contact the G2G Administrator: Wade Tozer: g2gadmin(at)bio.mq.edu.au; 98508192