EarthWorks, March 7, 2008

From the Head

Karl Flessa

Dear Faculty, Staff, Researchers and Grad Students,

Violence taking place at universities and in the workplace is a growing concern nationwide, so this is a good time to review The University of Arizona Human Resources’ policy on Workplace Violence: http://www.hr.arizona.edu/09_rel/policies/pp401-1.php. The UA is committed to providing a safe workplace for all employees.

Please report any form of violence by or to an employee from another employee, student, vendor or visitor to the University to Campus Police, 9-1-1. Report any physical attack, intimidation, threats or property damage, first to the UAPD and then to your supervisor and me. Thank you for keeping this a safe place for all of us to work.

Undergrad Charlene Estrada Accepts Summer Internship at the Carnegie Institution of Washington

Undergrad Charlene Estrada has accepted a prestigious summer internship at the Carnegie Institution of Washington to study the origins of life with funding from NSF and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Her research will be focused on the emergence of prebiotic chemical complexity through the interactions between crystalline solids and organic molecules.
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Noted Climate Scientist Steve Schneider at UA (jointly sponsored with Geosciences)

Title: Global Warming: Is the Science Settled Enough For Policy?

The Southern Arizona Geography Association (SAGA) and the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) at The University of Arizona are sponsoring a talk by Dr. Stephen Schneider, a nationally renowned climate change researcher from Stanford University. Dr. Schneider will be speaking on March 27 at 3:30pm at the Gallagher Theater, Student Union, The University of Arizona.

A discussion and snacks will follow starting at 5:00 pm in the Presidio Room, 4th floor of the Student Union. All free to the public.

Dr. Schneider is a professor in Environmental Biology and Global Change at Stanford University, founder and editor of the journal Climatic Change. He has authored and co-authored over 450 scientific papers, written numerous books on climate change, etc.

Bike Lockers for Gould-Simpson

Parking and Transportations's Alternative Transportation is considering expanding "high-security" bike locker locations and might be interested in putting bike lockers outside our building. If you're interested and would like have these lockers installed, please let Enedina Cervantes know so that she may provide P & T with our numbers.

Bike lockers can be leased by the semester or for the entire year. Fees are $30/semester; $30/summer or $60 annually. There is a $60 refundable key deposit required. Currently, the closest lockers to the building are the Sixth Street Garage on west end (4 lockers/8 spaces) and Bio West Bldg. N.E. side (6 lockers/12 spaces).
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New Geosciences Alumni Advisory Board Member

I’m pleased to announce that Nancy Beckvar has agreed to join the Alumni Advisory Board and that she will be at the April 2 board meeting. Nancy got her MS from the department in 1986 and is currently a Physical Scientist for NOAA’s Assessment and Restoration Division in Seattle. Besides being a loyal alum, she represents a professional area - the environmental sciences - that is employing an increasing number of our graduates. I think that her insights into our undergrad and grad programs will be valuable. Also, she will be great at reaching out to alums and friends working in government agencies and NGOs and great at developing ties to alumni in the Pacific Northwest. Welcome Nancy!

Jessica Conroy Receives ARCS Scholarship

Geosciences Ph.D. student Jessica Conroy has just been awarded a scholarship for $7000 from the Phoenix Chapter of Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS). Congratulations Jessica!
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Downs, Prewitt et al. Publication in Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie

Gibbs G V, Downs R T, Cox D F, Ross N L, Prewitt C T, Rosso K M, Lippmann T, Kirfel A (2008) Bonded interactions and the crystal chemistry of minerals: A review, Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 223, 1-40. Article available from http://www.geo.arizona.edu/xtal/group/pdf/ZK223_1.pdf
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Kursinski, Bennett, et al. Publication in Geophysical Research Letters

Kursinski, E.R., R.A. Bennett, D. Gochis, S. Gutman. K. Holub, R. Mastaler, C. Minjarez, I. Minjarez, and T. van Hove, Water vapor and surface observations in northestern Mexico during the 2004 NAME enhanced observing period, Geophys. Res. lett., doi:10.1029/2007GL031404, 2008. Available at http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2008/2007GL031404.shtml
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Gary Huckleberry, Adjunct Research Scientist, on Tucson’s Past Record in Sediments

See the Wednesday, March 5, edition of the Arizona Daily Star for a featured opinion piece by Gary Huckleberry, Adjunct Research Scientist, on the Story of Tucson's past in sediment. Part of this story is being lost due to construction on Tucson's southwest side: http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/228122.
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UofA Teach Arizona - Become Certified to Teach in Just One Year!

The UofA now makes it possible to earn a Bachelor's degree and become certified to teach grades 7-12 in Arizona in just one year!

If you or someone you know have been thinking about becoming a teacher, and already have a bachelor's degree and background in math, science, social studies, English, history, or Spanish, Teach Arizona may be the ideal program for opening the door to the classroom. Click on the link below to learn how you can get started on an exciting career as a middle or high school teacher:

http://www.ceao.arizona.edu/pdf/outreach/teach_az.pdf
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Open House for New University Spectroscopy and Imaging Facilities in Marley Building

The University of Arizona and Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc. invite you to join our open house and visit the state-of-the-art Spectroscopy and Imaging Facilities at the University of Arizona. The new facilities in Marley first floor are now fully equipped with five electron microscopes. We will have an official Open House on March 19. To register, please contact elisa.merendino@hitachi-hta.com or call Elisa Merendino at (301) 354-2524. Check http://usif.arizona.edu for more
details.
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REU is an NSF-sponsored program providing Research Experience for Undergraduates. Undergraduates receive a stipend ($4,800 @ $10/h) to conduct independent research projects under faculty guidance and mentorship. Dr. Steve Archer in the School of Natural Resources has openings for an REU student on a study investigating why some shrubs are more successful than others in invading and establishing in grasslands. The REU student will participate in controlled environment studies on the UA campus; and in field studies at the Santa Rita Experimental Range just south of Tucson. For more details and application procedures, see http://ag.arizona.edu/research/archer/ or email sarcher@ag.arizona.edu.

Two Full-Time Positions Open with American Geological Institute

The American Geological Institute, a federation of 44 geoscience societies, is pleased to have two full-time positions open in our Alexandria, VA office. We are looking for capable geoscience graduates to join AGI in our mission to serve the profession.

GEOSCIENCE WORKFORCE ANALYST
Full-time position available for a person to help expand AGI’s data collection and analysis efforts regarding all aspects of the geosciences profession. Candidate needs strong analytical and communications skills, attention to detail, and to be a proven self-starter. Statistics background and experience with relational database systems using SQL required. A Bachelor’s degree in the geosciences and/or economics is required. Must be willing to travel. Familiarity with the resources industries a plus. Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobs@agiweb.org. Please note Workforce in subject line. EOE.

WEB DEVELOPMENT/IT SUPPORT
Full-time, permanent position as Web Developer/IT Support. Applicants should have several years of IT experience including web design, programming and end-user support. Demonstrable background with SQL databases, programming in PHP and/or C#/ASP.NET, and development of web sites are required. Experience with Windows and Linux, as well as Flash development is desirable. Responsibilities include overall maintenance of existing geosciences web sites and applications as well as development of new projects. Some background in the geosciences is helpful. The applicant will be a member AGI’s Technology Department, and, as such, will work with the other staff on other IT support functions as needed. Please send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobs@agiweb.org. Please note “IT” in the subject line. Applications accepted until filled. EOE.

Christopher Keane
Director, Technology and Communications
American Geological Institute
keane@agiweb.org
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Summer and Career Employment with Ormat

Ormat is currently interviewing for summer-hire positions and potential permanent-hire geologists. Gene Suemnicht, an alumnus of the University of Arizona wants to make sure that Masters degree candidates at the University are aware of this opportunity.

Ormat is a leading vertically integrated company dedicated to providing solutions for geothermal power, recovered energy generation (REG) and remote power. http://www.ormat.com/

If you are interested in a summer or permanent position with Ormat, please e-mail your CV to Gene directly by March 14. His contact information is below:

Gene Suemnicht, Chief Geologist
Ormat Nevada Inc.
6225 Neil Road
Reno, NV 89511
gsuemnicht@ormat.com
(775) 356-9029 ext-2254
(775) 303-2968 cell
(775) 356-9039 fax
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Grant Writer Needed for a New Book Series at the University of Arizona

Grant writer needed for a new book series at the University of Arizona. This series is a collaborative project of the James E. Rogers College of Law, the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, the Biosphere 2 Institute, and the University of Arizona Press. The Environmental Science, Law, and Policy Book Series (ESLP) is designed to deliver cutting-edge environmental and climate change science and policy information directly to policymakers and the general public.

The ESLP Program Coordinator will work with the series editors, UA Press, faculty participants and others to identify and pursue grant opportunities, develop budgets and promotional documents, help to structure and administer the series, coordinate meetings of book authors and editors, and collaborate with the UA Press on publishing books in the series.

For full details, and to apply, please log on to http://www.uacareertrack.com and search for job #40402.
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Nominations for Student Fellowships in Water Sustainability Invited

The UA Water Sustainability Program (WSP) is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for WSP Student Fellowship Awards to encourage and support outstanding University of Arizona students studying in any area related to water resources. Up to four awards of approximately $18,000 each for graduate students and up to four awards of $2,750 each for undergraduate students are being offered.

Department heads may submit up two undergraduate fellowship nominations and two graduate fellowship nominations from a degree-granting unit. Please see the WSP web site for details:

Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface 8
Natural History Museum, London
18-22 August 2008

The abstract, registration and accommodation deadline is 15th April 2008

The second circular is available at http://www.minersoc.org/GES8eflier.pdf.

Full details are also available from the conference website at http://www.ges8.com

Who:       Tom McCandless, Geosciences Alumnus and Chief Mineralogist, Stornoway Diamond Corporation, Vancouver, BC
What:      Primary Diamond Deposits of North America: History, Geology, and Genesis
When:     Tuesday, March 11, 12:00 Noon
Where:   Gould-Simpson Building Room 209
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Department of Geosciences Colloquium

Who:        Susan L. Beck, Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona
What:       Lithospheric Processes in the Andes - What Do We know?
When:     Thursday, March 13, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where:    Koffler Building (CBS) Room 216

Semester Schedule: http://www.geo.arizona.edu/events/colloquium.htm
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Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research Seminar (Wednesday)

Who:       Greg Pederson, Big Sky Institute, Montana State University
Title:       Northern Rockies Ecosystem Dynamics: A Focus on Mountain Snowpack, Snow Avalanches, and Glaciers
When:     Wednesday, March 12, 12:00 noon
Where: Tree-Ring West Room 20 (Math Annex/Old Purchasing and Stores)

Semester Schedule: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/events.html
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Who:       Gary Parkin, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Title:       A Sampling of Unsaturated Zone Research at Guelph
When:     Monday, March 10, 3:00 pm
Where: Marley Building Room 230
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