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In This Issue:
- Departmental News
Related News
General Announcements
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
From the Head
 One more edition for 2007. We’ve got too much news to wait for 2008.
Newsletter names are coming in: 15 suggestions so far and we have some good ones. Last chance to submit. The new name appears in 2008.
First, congratulations to all our Geosciences graduates for the December commencement ceremonies. The list of graduates appears later in this newsletter. And thanks also to Owen Davis for being the “name reader” at Friday’s College of Science ceremonies and Lauren Bivona for being a “line marshall”. If you’re not there you will have missed me shaking hands and hooding - and dressed in a suit. Thanks also to Owen for being the Department’s rep at the Saturday ceremonies!
Second, big thanks to Tom Earl for endowing a Galileo Circle Award for a Geosciences student. And special thanks to Pete Reiners and Julie Cole for giving Tom a tour of their labs.
And third, more big thanks to Gari and Joni Jones for their major gifts to the Galileo Circle Fund for Excellence and to the John and Nancy Sumner Scholarship.
Happy holidays and see you all next year…
Karl [top]
Holiday Closure
This year’s holiday closure begins Monday, December 24, 2007 and will reopen Wednesday, January 02, 2008. No mail will be delivered to the MAIN CAMPUS. Mail received during the holiday closure will be delivered when regular mail processing resumes on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. For the full UA paid holiday schedule, holiday closure, and compensation policies during closure, see http://www.hr.arizona.edu/04_cb/comp/holiday/hol_closure_memo.php. [top]
Early Holiday Time Card Submission Reminder
The University of Arizona has early pay roster submission requirements for the last two time periods in December because of holidays and university closure. In order to report payroll hours in a timely fashion, it would be helpful if I receive your time card for pay period December 17-30 by Tuesday December 18. Don't forget to include paid holiday leave time if you are a benefits-eligible employee for December 24, December 25.
Sharon [top]
December Grads
Congratulations to the Geosciences students graduating this December:
Bachelors
Cassandra Alles Pollock
Ryan N. Rodney
Masters
Jennifer Boerner
David A. Keeler
Andrew Kowler
Rachael M. Novak
Jennifer Roskowski
Jennifer L. Sano
Michael Takaichi
Sarah K. Thompson
William Ross Waldrip
Doctor of Philosophy
Robert Scott St. George
[top]
Submittal of Final Grades
Grades for lecture classes should be submitted within 48 hours of the class final using WebRoster, http://webroster.arizona.edu/. For undergrad independent studies please give the appropriate grade earned. For Graduate Independent Studies:
GEOS 599 and 900
Please give the appropriate grade to students:
S= superior
P = pass
E = failure
I = incomplete
GEOS 909, 910, and 920
Please give a grade of K (for continuing). [top]
Using the Department's Google Calendar
This is a reminder to make use of the Google calendar to post department events. Contact Anne, Norm, Lauren, or Lesa to have important events, conferences, etc. added.
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=nmeader%40email.arizona.edu&height=614&gsessionid=lmwdZjH6PZs
[top]
Gould-Simpson Wireless Now Operational
UAWifi (wireless) has been turned on in Gould Simpson. University Information Technology Services (UITS, formerly CCIT) just forgot to notify us. [top]
Can You Lecture About the Geology of Sonora?
John Messina in the School of Architecture is looking for someone (faculty, grad, researcher) who might provide a lecture on the geology of the Sonoran region to his Tier One Gen. Ed. class, SONORA: A Description of Place in Arid America (http://www.dingo.sbs.arizona.edu/~jmessina/). John feels that a lecture on geology is crucial to the message of the course, and last year's absence of one was a great loss.
Could somebody provide such a talk on January 31st from 12:30 to 1:45? Susan Beck and Pete Kresan have given great lectures in the past. Susan also has material that the speaker might use.
Please contact John Messina [jmessina@email.arizona.edu]
Senior Lecturer
Research Architect
School of Architecture
Southwest Center
520-621-5774 [top]
Casa de Los Niños Reminder
As we have done for the past couple of years, we are once again collecting donations for Casa de los Ninos this year. Casa de los Ninos will gladly take monetary donations or new children's clothing (No toys this year).
Please make your checks out to “Casa de los Ninos” in the memo portion. Bring your gift or check to Enedina in Room 208 by December 20th.
As always, thank you for giving.
Enedina Cervantes
Geosciences Department [top]
Collection Box for Primavera Foundation
The University Staff Advisory Council is collecting disposable razors and toothbrushes for Primavera Foundation until March 1. Primavera's innovative programs and services provide a full range of opportunities to help people transition from poverty to greater well-being and security. Help Primavera address poverty and homelessness in Tucson by filling the collection box located in the main office of Geosciences. [top]
RELATED NEWS
Anthropology Department Showing of "Mammoth Mysteries" With Vance Haynes
The National Geographic TV special Mammoth Mysteries (50 min) will be shown in Haury 215 on Monday, December 17th at 10:00 AM. This included a visit of the cosmic catastrophists and Vance Haynes to the Murray Springs Clovis site where they sampled the basal contact of the “black mat” and found evidence of an extraterrestrial impact that caused Pleistocene extinction and the Younger Dryas.
Please plan to join us if you can.
Norma Maynard, Manager, Administration & Finance
Anthropology Department, University of Arizona
(520) 621-6303, nmaynard@email.arizona.edu [top]
The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Science and Society Fellows Program
What is a Science and Society Fellow?
Fellows are highly qualified University of Arizona (UA) graduate students, primarily in ecology, earth and environmental sciences with active research projects who are funded to develop skills, strategies and products that communicate their research to the public. The goals of the program are to 1) increase the skills of the Fellow in communicating their research outside of an academic setting; and 2) advance the understanding of scientific information and the scientific process by members of the general public. The Program uses the Biosphere 2 as a setting for training and outreach related to the Fellow’s own research program.
Who should apply?
Ideal candidates are full-time UA graduate students in ecology, evolution, natural resources, geosciences, geography, hydrology, plant sciences, and soils, water & environmental sciences who have completed at least one year of coursework and have started their research programs. To be successful, graduate students should have a strong interest in honing their abilities to communicate science effectively to the public, including teachers, students, and community members. Support from the Fellow’s faculty advisor is important for participation in the program.
What is the Fellow’s stipend?
The Fellow’s award is $3,000 for a 12-month tenure. In addition, funds will
be available to support materials, production costs, and travel to and from
UA Biosphere 2.
What are my obligations as a Fellow?
Fellows are expected to spend approximately 10 hours per month in oncampus training seminars and in working with various experts to develop strategies and products (e.g., kiosks, animations, hands-on activities) that communicate core concepts and results of their research to many audiences. In addition, the Fellow is expected to devote three Saturdays during 2008 at Biosphere 2 working with visitors to interpret their own research.
How do I apply?
To apply, you must submit a letter of application, including a one-page statement outlining your career goals, research question(s), and interest in connecting your research to the public. Please also include a copy of your graduate coursework transcript and arrange for a letter of recommendation from your major advisor. Submit the applications via email to Candace Crossey (crossey@email.arizona.edu).
Applicants will be ranked on their qualifications, demonstrated commitment to public communication of science, relevance of their research to Biosphere 2 programs, and the level of commitment for this activity expressed by their major advisor. The program is best suited for Ph.D. students, but highly qualified M.S. students are encouraged to apply. We will begin reviewing application materials on January 18, 2008. We anticipate funding three to four Fellows in late Winter or Spring 2008.
For more information on The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Science and Society Fellows Program, please contact Dr. Travis Huxman (huxman@email.arizona.edu; 626-4092), or visit www.b2science.org. [top]
ISPE Graduate Student Travel Awards Call for Applications
ISPE Graduate Student Travel Awards Call for Applications http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/resources/funding/travel_awards.html
ISPE is pleased to announce its semiannual Graduate Student Travel Awards Program, which provides funding for graduate students to travel to meetings, conferences, or symposia where they will give a presentation on their research. All graduate students at The University of Arizona who are engaged in ISPE-related interdisciplinary research are invited to apply. You must be a current University of Arizona student at the time of travel. ISPE-related interdisciplinary research is defined as research that reflects ISPE’s mission and focus areas, and that involves at least two disciplines. Review ISPE's mission before submitting an application: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/about/mission.html.
There will be up to 10 awards each semester with a maximum award of $500. Students are eligible to receive one travel grant per academic year. A student may apply as many times as desired.
Application Procedures:
Each applicant must submit a proposal containing the following information:
- Proposal Cover Sheet: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/library/publications/flyers/coversheet.pdf
- Two-page letter explaining why it is important to participate in the meeting
- Abstract
- Detailed budget with all anticipated costs. The maximum award will be $500. Students should indicate where the remaining funds will come from. Note that the remaining funds must be cost shared by an ISPE faculty member. If cost sharing cannot be obtained, please explain why and where the remaining funding will come from.
- Letter of recommendation from a University of Arizona faculty member associated with ISPE. Letter should include information on how the $500 ISPE Travel Award will be augmented to facilitate student’s travel.
Selection:
Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of ISPE faculty. Partial or full funding may be awarded, at the discretion of the panel and the director of ISPE. Award notifications will be announced February 15, 2008. Within 2 weeks of completing the travel, award recipients must submit a two page summary of how they benefited from attending this meeting. Travel must be taken during the original proposed travel dates.
Proposals may be sent by email or campus mail to the address below. All proposals must be received at ISPE no later than February 1, 2008.
Send proposals to:
Teresa Carochi
Teresac@email.arizona.edu
Institute for the Study of Planet Earth
715 N. Park, 2nd Floor
PO Box 210156
CAMPUS [top]
2007-2008 Faculty Small Grants Program
TO: Deans, Directors, and Department Heads
FROM: Andrew C. Comrie, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research
DATE: December 13, 2007
SUBJ: 2007-2008 Faculty Small Grants Program
The Office of the Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies, and Economic Development and the University of Arizona Foundation continue to support the Faculty Small Grants Program. Awards of up to $10,000 are made on a competitive basis for projects involving research or other creative scholarly activity. The Program is intended to provide short-term, one-time
support that will "jump start" worthwhile projects and result in data or work products that can be used in developing major proposals for submission to extramural funding agencies or private contributors. Individuals holding faculty rank, who have an appointment in the research scientist series of titles, or who have continuing or continuing-eligible status are eligible to apply; however, the Faculty Small Grants Program gives highest priority to junior-level individuals in those categories.
The Faculty Small Grants Program does not fund summer salary, graduate assistantships, publication costs, general-purpose equipment, travel to conferences, or salary for post-doctoral students. Items such as short-term hourly student wages, general operations, supplies, musical scores, art supplies, travel (only if an integral part of the project objectives and if well justified), and specialized research equipment pertaining to the project will be considered.
Instructions and the online application form are posted on the following website: http://vpr.arizona.edu/smallgrants. Proposals must be submitted online by the submission deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2008. In addition, a hard copy of the cover/abstract/budget pages (signed off by the Investigator, the Department Head, and the Dean) must be delivered to the Office of the Vice President for Research, Administration 601, by that deadline. Proposals will undergo scientific review by peers from related disciplines. Top-ranked proposals will subsequently be sent to the University of Arizona Foundation for final review and selection. Applicants will be notified during the first week of April as to the status of their proposal.
Two workshops will be offered that will focus on the process of preparing a Faculty Small Grants Program proposal. The workshops will be offered on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. The same information will be presented at both workshops, so if you want to attend, please register for only one of them. Seating is limited and we would like to accommodate as many registrants as possible. To register, contact Connie Garcia at 626-0631 or csgarcia@vpr.arizona.edu. For additional information about the Faculty Small Grants Program, contact Linda Nultemeier at 621-3512 or lindan@email.arizona.edu. [top]
GSA Student Research Grants Reminder
Apply online at www.geosociety.org/grants/gradgrants.htm. Online submission must be completed by Friday, 1 February 2008, at 11:59 p.m. (MST).
The GSA student research grant application process is online only. No paper applications or letters will be accepted. Students must be GSA Members to apply and may only receive a grant once at the master’s level and once at the Ph.D. level. Those who have applied for grant funding but have not received a grant are welcome to apply again. The maximum award per grant is US$4000. [top]
Retirement Celebration for Wes Ward, USGS Western Region Chief Geologist
Mark your calendars for a special event: Farewell to Wes Ward, Thursday, December 20, 1:00-3:00 pm, Environment and Natural Resources Building, Suite 103 Conference Room. Wes Ward is retiring January 3rd and so a celebration is in order! An informal gathering is planned to bid farewell to Wes, our leader and friend. We’d like this to be a fun time for Wes, so please bring your “fun” farewell treasure for him to enjoy. Cake and punch will be served.
Deborah Ludden, Program Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey, Tucson Field Office
dludden@usgs.gov, (520) 670-5500 [top]
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
AGI Launches Geoscience Currents – Data Snapshots of Workforce and Education in Geosciences
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Martinez cmm@agiweb.org
Alexandria, VA – The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program has initiated Geoscience Currents, a new series covering geosciences workforce and educational data snapshots, that are expected to be released on a near-weekly basis.
Geoscience Currents are delivered via email weekly. These data snapshots and short reports shed light into the issue of the overall health of the geoscience fields. From scholarships to employment opportunities, the effect of retirements, to university enrollment trends, Geoscience Currents provides up-to-the-minute glimpses into all areas of the geoscience fields, from academia, government, and industry to educational opportunities and university demographics.
To subscribe to these free data snapshots, go to http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/ and click “Register.” Also available as part of this website, you will be able to view past Geoscience Current issues, read other reports completed by the Workforce Program, and access other resources pertaining to geoscience careers.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment. [top] [top]
The Water Resources Research Center Announces Release of New Publication: The Layperson's Guide to Arizona Water
As part of its ongoing effort to serve the water education needs of Arizona citizens, the Water Resources Research Center teamed up with the Water Education Foundation of Sacramento, California, to produce the Layperson's Guide to Arizona Water. The guide meets a longstanding need, offering information about state water issues in a single, reader-friendly publication. The guide is aimed at a wide audience including new arrivals to our rapidly growing state who need to learn about our water ways; long-time residents seeking an up-to-date refresher on current water issues; water professionals wanting a quick reference; policy makers looking for a reliable summary of water facts and information; and the water-interested citizen desiring to learn more about this important topic. Written in the language of the layperson, the guide describes the state’s physical setting, provides a history of Arizona's water resource development and explains the legal framework of water management. This provides the basic background for discussions of the major water issues confronting Arizona today. A helpful glossary and list of additional resources is included.
Collaboration between the Water Education Foundation and the WRRC enabled the WRRC to offer the Layperson's Guide to Arizona Water free online, as a public service. The file can be downloaded in PDF format from the WRRC website: http://cals.arizona.edu/AZWATER/
The Layperson's Guide to Arizona Water adds to the well-regarded Water Education Foundation series of Layperson's Guides that include publications on the states of California and Nevada along with the Colorado River. A hard copy can be purchased from the Water Education Foundation, 717 K St., Suite 317, Sacramento, CA 95814; phone: 916-444-6240; web site: www.watereducation.org ($10 per copy; $7 for ten or more copies.)
Publication of the Layperson’s Guide to Arizona Water was supported in part by contributions to the WRRC from the Central Arizona Project, Salt River Project, Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, Southern Arizona Water Users Association, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and by the UA Water Sustainability Program.
Cas Sprout, Administrative Associate
Water Resources Research Center
350 N. Campbell Tucson AZ 85721
Office: 520-792-9591 ext. 55 Fax: 520-792-8518 [top]
Grants to be Available for Nanotech Applications in the Oil Industry
From Lee Allison and http://www.aapg.org/explorer/2007/12dec/nanotechnology.cfm
Consortium Eyes Nanotech Applications
Showcasing the potential importance of nanotechnology for the oil and gas industry, eight companies have formed a consortium to study practical nanotech applications.
Known as the Advanced Energy Consortium, the project will be managed by the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) at the University of Texas at Austin, said BEG director Scott Tinker. Consortium members are Shell International E&P, BP America, ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, Occidental Oil & Gas, Schlumberger Technology, Baker Hughes and Halliburton Energy Services. The consortium was formed because none of (the members) are deeply engaged in nanotech currently, and they can see the potential upside in improved reserve management and a significant upside in enhanced recovery, Tinker said.
Each member company has made a rolling two-year pledge to fund the research, which will be carried out at universities and other research institutions around the world, he said. Tinker, also AAPG president-elect, expects requests for proposals for global participation to go out next year. Rice University is technical partner in the project.
Work will begin as proposals are accepted, and in three years, we would hope to see some interesting prototypes, he said. Tinker called the AEC a positive sign because it shows the industry collaborating to do pre-competitive research and a willingness to invest in the long-term future. That should send a very positive message to young people in our industry that there are still major challenges to solve, he noted.
Lee Allsion notes that the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology expects to have about $8M per year in available funds, much of which will be awarded externally via a grant competition. [top]
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