07/10/2008

The call for proposals for oral presentations, speed presentations, and posters for the International Marine Conservation Congress (incorporating IMPAC2) is open until 15 October 2008. Details for submission can be found at the conference website, http://www.conbio.org/IMCC SCOPE: The Marine Section of the Society for Conservation Biology will be hosting its first stand-alone meeting, the International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC), from 20-24 May 2009 at George Mason University near Washington D.C. This will be an interdisciplinary meeting that will engage natural and social scientists, managers, policy-makers, and the public. The goal of the IMCC is to put conservation science into practice through public and media outreach and the development concrete products (e.g., policy briefs, blue ribbon position papers) that will be used to drive policy change and implementation. This meeting will encompass the 2nd International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC1 was held in Geelong, Australia in October 2005). The IMPAC2 component will consist of an organized cross cutting issue within the IMCC addressing MPAs though the full range of posters, papers, workshops and symposia. IMCC encourages authors to submit papers that apply to the major Themes and tracks below, describing original work, including methods, techniques, applications, tools, issues, reporting research results and/or indicating future directions. Major themes that will be addressed include: -Global Climate Change*, -the Land-Sea Interface*, -Ecosystem-based Management, and -Poverty and Globalization* Cross-cutting issues encompass topics of global relevance and importance to marine conservation that relate to the major themes: -Marine Protected Areas -Education, Outreach and Capacity Building* -Governance Arrangements* -Fisheries and Aquaculture* -Economics* *We are particularly interested in submissions in these themes. We anticipate that cross-cut issues will result in proposals on a variety of sub-topics. Individuals are limited to being the primary presenter for only one oral, speed, or poster presentation. If your name appears on more than one abstract, make sure you are listed as the presenter for only one of them. ORAL PRESENTATIONS will be limited to 15 minutes: 12 minutes for presentation and 3 minutes for questions. Contributed oral presentations will be grouped by theme and topic. POSTER PRESENTATIONS Poster presenters will receive general instructions on poster format In the email notification of acceptance. Posters will be displayed prominently and for the entire meeting; special sessions dedicated to posters will allow in-depth discussion between authors and attendees. SPEED PRESENTATIONS If your paper topic would be of interest to a wide range of people and you would like your presentation to lead to an extended conversation with colleagues who are specifically interested in your work, you may wish to submit an abstract for a speed presentation. In the first hour of a speed presentation session, 15 speakers will be given four (4) minutes each to present their key ideas and results. In the second hour, presenters will station themselves at separate tables where they can interact with people who are interested in learning more about their work. *We strongly encourage submissions for speed presentations! PLENARY SPEAKERS Dr. Daniel Pauly, Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee, Dr. Rod Fujita, Dorothy Childers and Alexandra Cousteau. Dr. Callum Roberts will be giving the Dr. Ransom A. Myers Memorial Lecture at the evening banquet on May 24th. PAPER SUBMISSION PROCEDURES Please go to www.conbio.org/IMCC IMPORTANT DATES 1st Call for oral presentations, speed presentations, and posters: 1 September - 15 October 2008, decisions by 30 November 2008 2nd Call for 1500 word submissions (for submissions accepted at the first call only): 1 December 2008 - 15 January 2009, decisions by 1 February 2009 Early bird registration: 15 November 2008 – 15 February 2009 CRITERIA FOR SELECTION We encourage proposals from individuals or groups involved in cutting edge conservation science or practice who can demonstrate an alignment with the goals of the Society for Conservation Biology and the SCB Marine Section, which are: * Conservation Science: The scientific research and knowledge needed to understand and conserve biological diversity is identified, funded, completed, disseminated and applied to research, management and policy. * Conservation Management: Conservation practitioners and managers are provided the scientific information and recommendations needed to conserve biological diversity at all scales. * Policy: Policy decisions of major international conventions, governments, organizations, and foundations, are effectively informed and improved by the highest quality scientific counsel, analysis,and recommendations so as to advance the conservation of biological diversity. * Education: Education, training, and capacity building programs are identified, strengthened, and developed to inform the public, education leaders, and support current and future generations of conservation scientists and practitioners. To increase the probability that your abstract will be accepted, and in your preferred format, please consider the following criteria carefully: 1. scientific merit 2. application to marine conservation/management 3. relevance to chosen theme/cross-cutting issue(s) 4. relevance to IMCC theme (“From science to management and policy”) 5. clarity of presentation (e.g. abstract begins with a clear statement of an issue and ends with a substantive conclusion) Please note: We do require that all presenters register for the IMCC by the end of early bird registration: 15 February 2009 TRAVEL GRANTS To encourage international and student participation, we will offer the opportunity to apply for grants to offset travel and other expenses. Please go to the following website: http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/imcc/travel_award.html MENTORING PROGRAM To encourage participation of members whose first language is not English, we will offer a mentoring service for participants who wish to submit abstracts for oral, speed or poster presentations. If you want to take advantage of this mentoring program, simply submit an abstract according to the standard guidelines; indicate that English is not your first language, and that you would like your abstract to be mentored. Instructions will be sent to your email address after you submit your abstract online. A mentor will contact you and provide guidance on grammar and clarity of writing. The mentor also will ensure that the abstract meets the technical criteria for submission. Note that it is NOT the role of the mentor to provide scientific guidance, or to write the abstract. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please email IMCCprogram@conbio.org

07/10/2008

The Christensen Fund Graduate Fellowship Program in Plant Conservation Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center Department of Biology University of Missouri-St. Louis and Missouri Botanical Garden PROGRAM: The Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (http://www.umsl.edu) is offering fully funded fellowships to students from tropical America, Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Malesia and the Pacific Islands with strong leadership and research potential in applied plant conservation. This fellowship is available to individuals with applied plant conservation experience and strong academic credentials for studies leading to a M.S. or Ph.D. degree. This special graduate program in plant conservation, developed in collaboration with The Christensen Fund and the Missouri Botanical Garden, is designed to educate plant conservation scientists from the world's tropical regions. The fellowship will provide recruitment and repatriation airfares, stipend, tuition fee waiver and the opportunity to apply for competitive internal research funds. PARTNERS: The Biology Department (http://www.umsl.edu/~biology), through its Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center (http://hwec.umsl.edu), has very close links with the Missouri Botanical Garden (http://www.mobot.org) and the Saint Louis Zoo (http://www.stlzoo.org). The Harris Center provides additional support to Ecology, Evolution and Systematics graduate students through its competitive research grant program and also has funds to provide conference travel support. UM-St. Louis is a member of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS, http://www.ots.duke.edu/) and students can enroll in an OTS course for credit and may receive financial support from the Harris Center. To learn more about The Christensen Fund Graduate Fellowship Program in Plant Conservation visit: http://hwec.umsl.edu/scholarships/plantconservation.html or write to: Executive Director, Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121-4499, USA (email: osbornepl@umsl.edu). TO APPLY: Application review, for admission in August 2009, will begin in December 2008 and complete applications received before January 15, 2009 will be considered. Application forms can be obtained from the Harris Center web page at http://hwec.umsl.edu/about/application.html or from the Office of International Student Services: http://www.umsl.edu/services/intelstu/prospective/admissions.html, by email from iss@umsl.edu, or by writing to: Executive Director, Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121-4499, USA. Completed applications should be returned to Office of International Student Services, 261 Millennium Student Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Boulevard, St. Louis MO 63121 with a copy of all materials sent to the Executive Director, Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center (email: osbornepl@umsl.edu).

02/10/2008

PhD Scholarships at the University of Sydney There are currently three scholarships available at the University of Sydney to study towards a PhD degree in pathobiology. Each is $25K p.a. tax free and are in a well funded research environment. 1.. Iridoviruses and native fish conservation in the Murray Darling Basin. The project involves a multidisciplinary approach involving immunology, virology, pathology and epidemiology with the overall aim of risk assessment leading to improved policies to conserve threatened and endangered species. You will work with experts in fish biology and ecology as well as specialists in pathobiology and epidemiology. 2 & 3. Pathogenesis of mycobacterial infection using paratuberculosis as a model. The first project will involve training in immunology and molecular biology and the second pathology and molecular biology, both with epidemiological interaction. You will work with an internationally recognised team of specialists and learn skills applicable to all infectious diseases. Contact Richard Whittington on richardw@camden.unisyd.edu.au for further details.

18/09/2008

Quizás te interese la convocatoria de becas Fulbright (www.fulbright.es) de intercambio de estudiantes entre España y EEUU. Ofrecen becas para Masters y Doctorados. La convocatoria suele ser en los primeros meses del año y se resuelve en verano. Son becas muy buenas, pero el nivel exigido también es alto. Se necesita un buen curriculum y un buen nivel de inglés (mínimo de 100 puntos en el examen TOEFL), pero vale la pena intentarlo. En la página web tienen, además de información sobre las becas, algunos links muy interesantes sobre estudiar en EEUU que también te pueden ser útiles.

02/09/2008

PhD Studentship: Social Capital and Marine Resource Governance (ref.PHD024) Description: The Department of Economics offers an opportunity to carry out doctoral research with an interdisciplinary team of researchers focusing in particular on marine environmental governance in Ireland. It is part of an innovative project awarded to NUIG to undertake applied economics research into how social capital influences the governance and conservation of marine coastal resources. The impact of social capital will be examined in terms of its ability to support cooperation between stakeholders and promote better coastal zone management and improved biodiversity conservation practices. This research draws on social capital theory as well as the common-pool resource (CPR) and co-management literature to determine if building partnership capacity between marine stakeholders and resource users through CLAMS (Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems) and other marine partnerships provides a critical basis for overcoming collective action problems (CAPs). The candidate’s duties will include research on social network theory, social network analysis and co-management and the methodological and theoretical issues related to this. This is a 36 month full time fully funded studentship, to begin in September 2008. The studentship is being funded through the Programme of Third Level Institutions and offers a stipend (€16,000 per annum) for 3 years in addition to tuition fees. Additional funds are available for traveling to conferences and research visits. Successful candidates will be provided with computing and office facilities and will be joining a dynamic team of young researchers. The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Tom van Rensburg (Department of Economics, NUIG) and in close association with Dr. Greig Mill (Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, UK). You can read more about the Department of Economics and this project as well as the ENRE (environmental and natural resource economics) group at http://economics.nuigalway.ie Qualifications: Candidates should have, or expect to obtain an MA or MSc degree in Economics, or, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Environmental Economics and Management, econometrics or related fields. Research should lead to a PhD thesis as well as to publications in international refereed journals. Essential skills: strong competency with quantitative analysis and experience with econometric software and social network analysis modelling programs. Informal contacts concerning the post may be made to Tom van Rensburg: thomas.vanrensburg@nuigalway.ie, Tel: +353 91 493858. To Apply: Applicants should submit a letter outlining their suitability for the position plus a full curriculum vitae, to include the names and contact details of three referees, by post or email to: Maureen Mescall, Department of Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland Email: maureen.mescall@nuigalway.ie Tel: +353 (0)91 495325. Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 p.m. on Friday 5th September 2008.

02/09/2008

PASANTÍA en TIERRA del FUEGO para Estudiantes de Biología y Veterinaria en el MUSEO ACATUSHÚN de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos Estancia Harberton, Canal Beagle ( www.acatushun.com ) Se ofrece una pasantía voluntaria de trabajo/estudio de un mes de duración mínima, para estudiantes o graduados en biología, veterinaria o áreas afines, desde mediados de octubre a mediados de abril de cada año. Las investigaciones se realizan a través del PROYECTO AMMA: Estudios de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos Australes, estudio a largo plazo que comenzó en 1974-75 dirigido por la Dra. R. Natalie P. Goodall para aprender sobre la biología básica de los cetáceos (delfines, marsopas, ballenas) de Tierra del Fuego y el sur de la Patagonia, a través de animales varados (muertos) encontrados en las playas o tomados incidentalmente en operaciones de pesca. OPORTUNIDAD para CONOCER las aves y mamíferos marinos australes. Limpieza, rotulado, curación y armado de esqueletos de delfines y aves. Asistencia a necropsias de delfines y aves. Transmisión de los conocimientos a visitantes del museo. INFORMACIÓN Y ENTREVISTAS: Mónica Torres , Silvana Finochiaro. pasantiamuseo@gmail.com

02/09/2008

Ph.D. position available Ph.D. student wanted to participate in ongoing studies involving muscle physiology of pinnipeds or vertebrate stress physiology at Baylor University in Waco Texas. Baylor holds a Carnegie classification as a "high-research" institution. M.S. degree preferred as well as a working knowledge of laboratory techniques (GC-FID, ELISA) and large animal handling experience. Strenuous field work a real possibility. If interested, please send CV, letter of research interest and copies of transcripts electronically (preferred) to Stephen_Trumble@baylor.edu or send to Stephen J. Trumble Ph.D. Department of Biology Baylor University One Bear Place #97388 Waco, TX 76798-7388 254.710.2128 stephen_trumble@baylor.edu

01/09/2008

Cursos de formación para el estudio de los delfines mularesen el Mar Mediterráneo   El Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI (www.thebdri.com) organiza cursos de formación sobre el estudio del comportamiento y ecología de los delfines mulares en libertad. Tan sólo hay que ser mayor de edad y no es necesaria experiencia previa de etología ni biología de los mamíferos marinos ya que se imparten a diferentes niveles y en español. En nuestro centro pensamos que el aprendizaje, en su mejor medida, es aquel que se obtiene de forma activa, entrelazando la práctica con la teoría, así que nuestros estudiantes además de recibir clases teóricas participan en las actividades diarias como un investigador más.   Empleando técnicas de estudio no invasivas, los estudiantes participarán en las salidas al mar a bordo de nuestras embarcaciones para el estudio de la ecología y comportamiento de los delfines mulares en la isla de Cerdeña (Italia) así como recogiendo datos sobre las condiciones del ecosistema marino.   Los cursos de formación, de 6 y 13 días de duración, aportan una valiosa experiencia en técnicas de estudio tan específicas como la foto-identificación, bioacústica y muestreo comportamental. Las clases estarán estructuradas de dos formas: (a) lecciones sobre un determinado argumento con el objetivo de generar un debate y preguntas, o ya sea (b) clases con un claro componente práctico en particular cuando se traten las diferentes métodos de muestreo y estudio de los delfines. A lo largo de los 6 o 13 días de duración, siempre que la metereología sea adecuada, se realizan 4 o 8 salidas al mar respectivamente para la búsqueda y estudio del comportamiento de los delfines.   Los cursos de formación pueden ser utilizados para la obtención de créditos académicos de libre configuración, en este caso los estudiantes han de encargarse de llevar a cabo todos los requisitos que su universidad solicite para la obtención de los mismos previa la  participación a dicho curso.   Curso 1. Curso general: métodos de estudio de los delfines mulares (Fecha de inicio: 8 Septiembre)   Curso 2. Estudio del comportamiento de los delfines (Fecha de inicio: 22 Septiembre)   Curso 3. Técnica de la fotoidentificación y estructura social de los delfines (Fecha de inicio: 6 Octubre)   Curso 4. Bioacústica de los delfines mulares (Fecha de inicio: 20 Octubre)   Para obtener más información acerca de los diferentes cursos visitar:   http://www.thebdri.com , contactar via email a: info@thebdri.com o descargarse el material informativo desde: www.thebdri.com/spain/resources/downloads/courses.pdf   Más información y reservas en: info@thebdri.com