[DIALOGnews] DIALOG and DISCCRS Newsletter 02/11/05
Susan Weiler
weilercs at whitman.edu
Fri Feb 11 16:59:41 CST 2005
DIALOG and Disccrs News
02/04/2005
************************************
Table of Contents
RESOURCES
Graduate-student opportunity at Max Planck
Research school of Marine Microbiology
Funding: EPA Call for Proposals on Global Change
and Human Health
http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2005/2005_decision_support_sys.html
New website indexes news headlines on environment
Earthnewswire.com http://www.earthnewswire.com
SCIENCE NEWS
Editorial: Climate change threat may be
underestimated
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/mg18524863.400
2004 Was Fourth-Warmest Year Ever Recorded http://snipurl.com/code
NASA Development May Help Solve Ocean Biology
Problem
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/plankton.html
Scientists Zero In on True Color of the Sea http://snipurl.com/cper
Sonar Shows Ruptures at Tsunami Epicenter http://snipurl.com/cpf5
FORUM
Draft Science Plan for the Ocean Observatories Initiative
SUMMER PROGRAMS, COURSES, INTERNSHIPS, MEETINGS
Upcoming Cutting-Edge Workshops
http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/coursedesign05/overview_face_to_face.html
or
http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/coursedesign05/overview_online.html
2005 SUMMER SCHOOL ON LAGRANGIAN OCEANOGRAPHY, THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
JOBS
DIRECTOR, Environmental Center University of Colorado, Boulder campus
***************************************************
Resources
Graduate-student opportunity at Max Planck
Research school of Marine Microbiology
The Max Planck Research school of Marine
Microbiology, MarMic, where I'm a faculty member,
has received fellowships through the Marie Curie
training network. We thus have fellowships to
offer for excellent students who want to get
their masters and PhD or just their PhD at this
school (www.marmic.mpg.de). The possibilities to
work and study are pretty special at this school
as 2 universities - the University of Bremen and
the International University of Bremen and 2
Research Institues (AWI, MPI) are involved, and
the teacher to student ratio is awesome.
Fellowships are for non-Germans, who have lived
in Germany for less than 12 months before the
start of the fellowship,and who have a degree
which in their home country would allow them to
get a PhD.
Students could start their work here between
September 2005 and August 2006. If you know of
someone who is interested in getting their PhD in
Marine Mikrobiology (the term is used loosley -
single celled organisms, both eucaryotes and
procaryotes qualify) they can contact me for
possible thesis subjects or the MarMic school
directly for questions regarding the classes.
Priv.Doz. Dr.habil.Uta Passow
Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Marine and Polar Research
Am Handelshafen 12
D - 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Tel.: +49 471 4831 1450
Fax.: +49 471 4831 1425
e-mail: upassow at awi-bremerhaven.de
****************
Funding: EPA Call for Proposals on Global Change and Human Health
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Office of Research and Development, National
Center for Environmental Research, and National
Center for Environmental Assessment, in
cooperation with the EPA Global Change Research
Program, announce an extramural funding
competition supporting assessment of the
consequences for human health of global change,
including climate, climate variability, land use,
economic development, and technology. Under the
Global Change Research Act of 1990, the United
States Climate Change Science Program is required
to undertake scientific assessments of the
potential consequences of global change for the
United States. The EPA is interested in research
leading to the development of decision support
systems that can incorporate information about
the consequences of global change on human health
in order to aid state and local public health
agency efforts to ameliorate these impacts.
It is anticipated that a total of
approximately $2.7 million will be awarded,
depending on the availability of funds. The EPA
anticipates funding six grants under this
announcement. The projected award per grant is up
to $150,000 per year, for up to three years.
Requests for amounts in excess of a total of
$450,000, including direct and indirect costs,
will not be considered. The total project period
for an application submitted in response to this
announcement may not exceed three years. Funding
in subsequent years will be contingent upon
satisfactory progress.
The deadline for applications is March 29,
2005. Find out more at
http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2005/2005_decision_support_sys.html,
or
contact Darrell Winner at (202) 343-9748 or winner.darrell at epa.gov.
*****************
New website indexes news headlines on environment
A new website, Earthnewswire.com
http://www.earthnewswire.com indexes news
headlines on the evironment, science,
conservation, and nature from around the world
from various online news sources. It is also a
forum for posting news, weblinks, and an events
calendar. It still in the early stages of
development, but may be something to track.
***************************************************
Science News
Check out this section both for news tidbits, and for
examples of how to communicate science to a non-scientist audience
Editorial: Climate change threat may be underestimated
From Science News
The climate change conference suggests
scientific peer pressure may have led to gross
underestimates of the potential scale of global
warming
THE good news for climate sceptics is that a
speaker at a major British conference on climate
change agreed that arch-sceptic Pat Michaels had
a point. The bad news is that it was Myles Allen,
the Oxford physicist who recently grabbed the
headlines by suggesting that 11 °C of warming
could be in the pipeline.
Allen was underlining what others had said
off-platform: that the desire for consensus has
too often led the UN Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change to don blinkers. This has not only
blotted out the arguments of sceptics, but also
sidelined results from climate models that keep
producing "outlier" predictions of horrendous
warming. As one scientist said last week: "by
ignoring the outliers, IPCC has failed for 10
years to investigate the possible effects of more
extreme climate change."
Last week's conference, called by the British
government to ask what dangerous climate change
might look like, ...
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/mg18524863.400
*****************
2004 Was Fourth-Warmest Year Ever Recorded
from The New York Times (Registration
Required) via Sigma Xi Science in the News
Last year was the fourth warmest since
systematic temperature measurements began around
the world in the 19th century, NASA scientists
said yesterday.
Particularly high temperatures were measured
over Alaska, the Caspian Sea region of Europe and
the Antarctic Peninsula, while the United States
was unusually cool. But the global average
continued a 30-year rise that is "due primarily
to increasing greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere," said Dr. James E. Hansen, director
of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, in
Manhattan.
The main source of such gases is smokestack
and tailpipe emissions from burning coal and oil.
http://snipurl.com/code
*****************
NASA DEVELOPMENT MAY HELP SOLVE OCEAN BIOLOGY PROBLEM
NASA Press Release 05-042
NASA and university scientists have made a
breakthrough in using satellites to study the
tiny, free-floating ocean plants, called
phytoplankton. The plants form the base of the
ocean food chain and produce half of the oxygen
in the air we breathe.
The development opens the door to solving a
problem that has stymied ocean biologists for
more than a century, and is revolutionary to our
understanding of how ocean biology and
ecosystems, as well as carbon cycling, respond to
climate variability and change.
Data about the growth rate of the ocean plants
can be derived from space and incorporated into
global estimates of their life processes. New,
accurate information on phytoplankton will
greatly advance understanding of marine
ecosystems and how they function, including
issues related to fisheries, water quality, and
harmful algal blooms.
This research contributes to improved computer
models that enable predictions of how climate
change will alter ocean ecosystems and the Earth
system. Despite their minute size, the growth and
photosynthesis of phytoplankton collectively
accounts for half of the carbon dioxide, a major
greenhouse gas, absorbed annually from Earth's
atmosphere by plants.
"While the full potential of this discovery
awaits further work, what is really amazing is
that a signal detectable from space has been
found that tracks changes in the activity, not
just abundance, of phytoplankton," said Michael
Behrenfeld, a professor at Oregon State
University, Corvallis, Ore., and a researcher at
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
In order to determine ocean productivity,
which is the rate of hotosynthesis, scientists
must know plant growth rates and their abundance.
Satellites can detect variations in the color of
light within the ocean, and researchers use this
information to tell phytoplankton amounts. The
new method for recording growth rates by
satellite involves advances in the way these
satellite ocean data are analyzed.
"Satellite ocean color images are kind of like
your television screen, where you have controls
for the color setting and controls for
brightness," said researcher Dr. David Siegel.
"What we've done here is use both the color and
brightness signals to determine plant greenness
and the number of individual phytoplankton cells."
With this new information, researchers can
calculate growth rates from the greenness of the
individual phytoplankton cells. When cold water
temperatures, bright light, or low nutrients put
stress on phytoplankton, they lose pigment and
appear less green. The reverse is also true,
phytoplankton become greener when conditions
improve and growth rates
increase.
To demonstrate the new approach, the research
team used ocean color data from the Sea-viewing
Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS). The data
showed growth rates changed over seasons and
across ocean basins in precisely the manner
expected from years of laboratory studies on
phytoplankton. Encouraged by these findings,
researchers applied their new data to recalculate
ocean production. The result was a significantly
different view of ocean photosynthesis previously
revealed by older models using the same satellite
data.
The study appeared in the January 2005
electronic issue of the journal Global
Biogeochemical Cycles. The research was an
Editor's Choice in the Feb. 4 issue of Science
Magazine. Coauthors include Dr. Emmanuel Boss of
the University of Maine, Orono; Dr. David Siegel,
University of California, Santa Barbara; and
Donald Shea from Goddard.
For more information and images about this new
development on the Web, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/plankton.html
*****************
STORY DEVELOPED FROM NASA PRESS RELEASE (see above)
Scientists Zero In on True Color of the Sea
from The Los Angeles Times (Registration Required)
How blue is the ocean? How green is the sea?
The color of seawater, a key measure of ocean
health, is coming into sharper focus due to a
breakthrough in analyzing satellite images.
A group of NASA and university scientists on
Thursday announced it had figured how to measure
the hue and brightness of ocean coloration that,
in turn, reflects changes in the tiny plants that
provide the base of the ocean food chain and
supply half of the world's oxygen.
http://snipurl.com/cper
****************
Sonar Shows Ruptures at Tsunami Epicenter
from Associated Press
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) - The first images
Thursday of the seabed battered by the
earthquake that triggered Asia's catastrophic
tsunami revealed huge ruptures spanning several
miles.
A British naval ship collecting data off the
coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island produced the
digital images using sonar, and they could be
used to help develop a tsunami early-warning
system for the Indian Ocean region.
The vibrantly colored seabed maps show the
9.0-magnitude quake caused the tectonic plates to
clash ``like the rumpling up of a carpet,''
according to Steve Malcolm, the commanding
officer of the HMS Scott. http://snipurl.com/cpf5
See
http://www.ukho.gov.uk/attachments/Earthquake%20presentation.ppt
for images. Beware, This is a powerpoint
presentation, and it took *several hours* for me
(Sue Weiler) to download!
***************************************************
Forum
Draft Science Plan for the Ocean Observatories Initiative
A draft of the Science Plan for the Ocean
Observatories Initiative (OOI) has been posted on
the ORION Program web site at
http://www.orionprogram.org/. This document is
designed to offer a broad overview of a
representative set of cutting-edge scientific
drivers for ocean observatories, a description of
the novel suite of new technological capabilities
that OOI will provide for ocean research, and a
summary of the important scientific, educational,
and societal benefits to be gained by deploying
this new infrastructure. The OOI will design,
test and install pioneering ocean observatory
technology for the research-driven Ocean Research
Interactive Observatory Networks (ORION) Program.
***************************************************
Summer Programs, Courses, Internships, Meetings
Upcoming Cutting-Edge Workshops
Designing Effective and Innovative Courses in the Geosciences
Finding the time, energy, and inspiration to
develop a new course or to re-design an existing
course is a challenge for faculty. On the Cutting
Edge will be offering two course design
experiences this summer. We will offer our usual
four-day face-to-face workshop, and we will, for
the first time, offer an on-line version of the
workshop. You can find details on both workshops
at the following sites:
Face-to-Face course Design Workshop
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
June 1-5, 2005 information and application at
http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/coursedesign05/overview_face_to_face.html
On-line Course Design Workshop
May 23-June 23, 2005 information and
application at
http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/coursedesign05/overview_online.html
Further Information: Contact Barbara Tewksbury
(btewksbu at hamilton.edu) or Heather Macdonald
(rhmacd at wm.edu).
*****************
2005 SUMMER SCHOOL ON LAGRANGIAN OCEANOGRAPHY, THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY JULY 25 TO FRIDAY AUGUST 5, 2005
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF OCEANOGRAPHY
A two-week summer school (SS05) on
oceanography from a Lagrangian perspective will
be conducted at the Graduate School of
Oceanography, jointly by H. Thomas Rossby
(University of Rhode Island) and Andrew F.
Bennett (Oregon State University).
The format will consist of two lectures daily
on theoretical Lagrangian fluid dynamics (AFB),
one lecture daily on Lagrangian observing
systems and ocean circulation (HTR), and one
lecture daily from an invited expert in
Lagrangian statistics, modeling, observing or
analysis.
The invited speakers are:
Amy Bower (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
John Gould (Southampton Oceanography Center)
David Hebert (University of Rhode Island)
William Jenkins (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Ricardo Letelier (Oregon State University)
Frederick Lumpkin (Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory)
Arthur Mariano (University of Miami)
SS05 will be limited to 20 participants,
mostly upper-level graduate students, postdocs
and other young investigators. Their airfares,
accommodation and meals will be provided by SS05.
To apply submit:
(1) a one page letter explaining your interest;
(2) your Curriculum Vitae;
(3) if you are a student, your current transcript;
(4) if you are a student, a letter of support from your advisor.
All documents to be received at URI by Friday
March 11, 2005; email is preferred, and the
documents must be in .pdf format. All emails to:
SS05 at gso.uri.edu
Acceptances will be announced by Monday April 4, 2005
SS05 is funded principally by the US Navy Office of Naval Research.
***************************************************
Jobs for PhDs
http://www.higheredjobs.com/about/
DIRECTOR, Environmental Center University of Colorado, Boulder campus
Nature of Work: The Director of the
Environmental Center will play an influential
role in advancing sustainability initiatives on
the Boulder campus, and in higher education
across Colorado. The Director will be expected
to develop new sustainability initiatives, to
obtain grant funding for new programs, to develop
personal relationships with decision makers, and
to serve as a public spokesperson for the Center.
The Director will work with academic departments
across the campus to advance environmental
literacy initiatives, with operational
departments to advance campus sustainability, and
with colleagues and decision makers statewide.
The Director will also be responsible for
developing and managing the Center's budget, and
for supervising the Center's six professional
staff positions. The Director may also be
co-rostered as a faculty member. The Director
will work closely with the student Environmental
Board and the University of Colorado Student
Union, and will report directly to the Director
of the Student Organizations Finance Office. The
Environmental Center Director will help mentor
students and develop student environmental
leaders.
The Environmental Center is a national leader
in the campus sustainability movement. It is the
largest student run Environmental Center in the
nation. The policy direction and budget for the
Environmental Center are determined by the
student Environmental Board and the University of
Colorado Student Union. It has strong existing
programs in sustainable transportation, energy
efficiency and renewable energy, and recycling
and waste reduction. Areas of future emphasis
will include climate change, environmentally
preferable purchasing, sustainable food systems,
environmental literacy, and the development of a
statewide network for campus sustainability.
This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic
and visionary candidate with a strong leadership
background who wants to make a difference in the
campus, the state, and the nation.
Minimum qualifications: MS degree in
Environmental Studies or a related field; three
years of experience in a leadership position in a
campus
sustainability office or environmental center, a
state sustainability office, a corporate
sustainability office, or an environmental
nonprofit, or
as a faculty member in an environmental
discipline (two additional years of work
experience in this role may be substituted for
the masters degree); strong written and verbal
communication skills; applicant must be
comfortable working with students who are in
leadership positions
Preferred qualifications: PhD in
Environmental Studies or a related field; three
years of experience as the director of a campus
sustainability office or environmental center, a
state sustainability office, a corporate
sustainability office, or an environmental
nonprofit; a demonstrated record
of successfully obtaining grants for
environmental programs; a record of teaching and
publications in the sustainability field
Salary range: The starting salary shall be
between $55, 000 and $70, 000 per year,
commensurate with education and experience.
To apply: email a letter of interest, current
resume, and list of three references to:
dana.kelly at colorado.edu
Application review will begin February 28,
2005and will continue until the position is
filled. Desired start date: July 1, 2005
**************************************************
This newsletter has been developed by C. Susan
Weiler to distribute information of potential
interest to recent PhDs engaged in
interdisciplinary aquatic science or
climate-change research, and to build an
international sense of community among recent
grads. It provides an international forum for the
exchange of information and opinions regarding
research, professional and social issues. The
views and opinions expressed do not necessarily
reflect those of the funding agencies or
sponsoring societies. Dr. Weiler reserves the
right to edit or reject material submitted to the
list.
Please submit announcements of interest
to recent PhDs to phd at whitman.edu. Send a short
message in the body of an e-mail message, and
link to any appropriate websites. Do not send
attachments.
Moving? Send address changes to
dialog at whitman.edu or disccrs at whitman.edu
--
C. Susan Weiler, Ph.D.
Office of Earth System Studies Tel: 509-527-5948
Whitman College Fax: 509-527-5961
Walla Walla, WA 99362
weiler at whitman.edu
Programs for Recent PhDs http://aslo.org/phd.html
DIALOG poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/dialogposter.pdf
DISCCRS poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/disccrsposter.pdf
DIALOG VII Symposium Application Deadline May 1, 2005
DISCCRS II Symposium Applicaton Deadline October 2, 2005
Workshop Report, Meeting the Needs of
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Graduates in a Changing
Global Environment
http://marcus.whitman.edu/~weilercs/biocomplexity/
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