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ESGP newsletter: May 23, 2014

May 23, 2014

ESGP newsletter: May 23, 2014

Newsletter for the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program.

News, News, News

ESGP GSC Election Results – on behalf of Mark Moritz

Congratulations and welcome to the following ESGP faculty members, who have been elected to serve on the ESGP GSC for the coming three-year term: 

  • Jeffrey Bielicki
  • Anne Carey
  • Gaj Sivandran 

The ESGP GSC also welcomes Brooke Stevens as the new Student Representative.

I thank all the candidates very much for volunteering to serve on the committee and their commitment to the ESGP. In addition, many thank you’s to the outgoing members: Jennifer Harrison, Berry Lyons, and Bryan Mark for serving on the GSC.

I will be on a sabbatical next year and won't be able to serve at the GSC chair next year. It has been my pleasure working with the GSC, directors and Sarah Straley, our graduate program coordinator.

Best wishes,

Dr. Mark Moritz
Chair Graduate Studies Committee
moritz.42@osu.edu

SEEDS 2014-068 Awards Notice

Congratulations to ESGP PhD student Patrick Bell for his SEEDS Graduatefunding!

Competition: Doctoral

Grant Award: $ 5,000

Project Period: 8/1/2014 - 7/31/2015

Title: Sustainable Intensification for Improving Soil Quality and Adapting to Climate Change in the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania

SABE Congratulatory Announcement - Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award PH.D. Competition

Congratulations to ESGP PhD student Fuqing Xu for her submission to be selected as one of the top three papers for the ASABE Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award PH.D. Competition!

Processes & Impacts ArticlePublished

ESGP Alumna and ESN Program Manager Maureen Langlois is lead author on a study conducted with her ESGP co-advisors and now co-authors Yu-Ping Chin and Linda Weavers. The article is entitled, "Contaminant-Mediated Photobleaching of Wetland Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter" and was released May 14 online in the journal Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts.

Jobs and Internships

PhD Opportunity in Glacierized Catchments Hydrology at the École de TechnologieSuperieure (University of Quebec), DRAME Center (Watershed Modeling Research Group), Montreal, Quebec

Topic: “Multi-scale assessment of glaciers retreat impacts on watersheds hydrology”

Most of the world’s glaciers have retreated over the last century, raising concerns about downstream water supplies.The hydrological response to a glacier retreat follows a characteristic sequence. Under conditions of continuous retreat, a glacier generates a temporary increase in glacier-melt derived stream runoff as it loses mass. Yet as the remaining glacier volume diminishes, the runoff hydrograph reaches a plateau called “peak water” and is followed by a persistent decrease. In case of catchments hosting several glaciers, the hydrological response is a function of the combined effect of different glacier volume changes, and is therefore more variable in space and time. 

The objective of this project is to explore this variability in hydrological response of glaciers retreat for catchments of different sizes in North America.  This will be carried out using a multi technics approach. The use of natural tracer to identify hydrological processes and pathways specific to the studied watersheds and the adaptation of distributed numerical models to these specificities are among the technics that are already identified.

Conditions

The project, starting in September 2014, is fully funded. The selected student will benefit from a tax free scholarship of ~$18,000 per year during 3 years.

Application

Applicants should have or be completing a master degree in sciences, applied sciences or engineering. A background related to hydrology and/or glaciology is required.Experiences in GIS and programming are definitive assets.For additional information or to apply, e-mail Michel Baraer at ÉTS.

Seminars and Courses

Climate Webinar: Climate Change Impacts on Wildlife – May 29, 12 pm

Climate change in the Great Lakes region and beyond is expected to promote shifts in the ranges and phenology of well-known plant and animal species. These shifts are often a result of changes in the availability of food and shelter, as well as temperature. Knowing more about these potential impacts will help wildlife managers and nature enthusiasts alike to adapt to and potentially mitigate some of the resulting changes in wildlife diversity.

This webinar will cover:

  • an overview of potential climate change impacts on wildlife
  • effects of a changing climate on the phenology of migratory birds
  • impacts of shifting climate conditions (such as drought and flooding) on the vulnerability of species of special concern
  • climate change effects on Broad-tailed Hummingbirds as a result of shifts in the timing of flowering of their nectar flowers glacier lily, dwarf larkspur, and Indian paintbrush, which they rely on during spring migration

The webinar is free. Register on the OSU Climate Change website.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with log-in information.

Workshops and Conferences

AESS 2014 Conference

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS)2014 Conference at Pace University in New York City, will be June 11-14.  The theme this year is "Welcome to the Anthropocene: From Global Challenge to Planetary Stewardship." Register now!

The conference will feature the latest scholarship on food systems, water, conservation, energy, climate, pedagogy, policy, and more.  AESS offers a prime opportunity to engage in discussions with a diversity of students, faculty, and leaders on subjects such as best teaching practices, career development, and building and leading interdisciplinary programs.

The agenda includes:

  • Keynote addresses by Andrew Revkin and Karl Rábago;
  • Plenary session by a distinguished panel of United Nations policymakers and scholars on the Montreal Protocol;
  • Over 80 roundtable discussions, panel presentations, and discussion symposia, workshops, and poster presentations;
  • Exhibitions featuring artist Elizabeth Demaray and other invited artists;
  • A rich program of performance art;
  • The student paper awards;
  • Field trips;
  • The William R. Freudenburg lifetime achievement award presentation;
  • The AESS banquet;
  • And, as always, numerous opportunities to connect with people in your field.

The conference agenda and session details are posted online here. Register today!

About the Conference Theme

The theme for the conference is "Welcome to the Anthropocene: From Global Challenge to Planetary Stewardship."   Several of the panels and speakers will focus on the argument advanced by many environmental experts that Earth has entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, or "the recent age of humans." Proponents of this theory contend that humans have become a global geophysical force capable of disrupting the grand cycles of biology, chemistry and geology by which elements like carbon and nitrogen circulate between land, sea and atmosphere. This is resulting in profound alteration of the planet's climate, serious threats to a large array of species and critical ecosystems and conversion of fertile lands to desert.  AESS will trace the implications of this idea for food systems, water resources, biodiversity conservation, human health, human/nonhuman relations, environmental research, policy, and pedagogy.

About the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences

A major aim of AESS is to encourage engagement with today's socio-ecological challenges by serving the needs of environmental scholars and scientists who value interdisciplinary approaches to research, teaching, and problem-solving (learn more about the association here; the journal here). The meetings provide an incredible opportunity to engage with a diverse range of environmental scholars and practitioners through sessions, workshops, receptions, and excellent plenary talks. AESS is particularly accessible to young scholars and students, providing opportunities to network and grow.

For more information visit the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences website.

EPI's 4th Annual Energy Policy Research Conference (EPRC)

EPI's 4th Annual Energy Policy Research Conference (EPRC) will be held in San Francisco, California. Formerly known as the Western Energy Policy Research Conference, EPRC is the premier energy policy research conference held in the Western United States.  The conference will take place September 4-5, 2014 and The Westin San Francisco Market Street will host the event.

EPRC provides a unique platform for networking and collaboration as EPRC gathers the best energy policy researchers and practitioners from academia, research institutes, NGOs, national laboratories, industry, and government.

Register today to secure your spot for the premier energy policy research conference in the Western United States.

Keynote Speaker, Dr. Steven Chu

EPI is proud to welcome Dr. Steven Chu as the conference's Keynote Speaker! 

Dr. Chu recently returned to Stanford after serving as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Obama's administration. He is the co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1997), and directed the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory from 2004-2009. Chu is the holder of 10 patents, the author of over 250 scientific papers, and the recipient  of 23 honorary degrees.

OCTWS Spring Meeting - SAVE THE DATE!

Ohio Chapter - The Wildlife SocietySpring Meeting

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014

Time:  10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location

Five Rivers MetroParks
Cox Arboretum
6733 Springboro Pike,
Dayton, Ohio 45449

Forests and Wildlife

Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Long Horned Beetleand Thousand Canker Disease

Guest Speakers

Jonathan Shields, OH Department of Agriculture

Michael Enright, Five Rivers MetroParks

Cost:  FREE

Panera Boxed Lunch $9 (or brown bag) soda/water provided

RSVP by June 4 to andrew.j.montoney@aphis.usda.gov

Funding and Papers

Call for ACE Conference Presentation and Workshop Proposals

The Ohio State University will host the ACE Women’s Network, Ohio (WNO) 16th annual conference on Friday, November 7, 2014. The Women’s Place encourages you to take part in the conference by submitting a presentation/workshop proposal offering skill-building and/or information on current higher education issues and trends.

The 2014 conference theme, “Adaptable and Ready: Thriving in a New Higher Education Landscape,” was chosen based on college and university leaders’ expectations that the next 10 years will be a revolutionary period in higher education, with rapid and continual change. Presenters can use this theme as a proposal guide.

WNO’s annual conference is a professional development opportunity attended by women faculty, staff, administrators and graduate students from across the state and beyond. Participants and topics typically represent issues relevant to women at two-year and four-year campuses, public and private institutions and religious colleges and universities.

Proposal Deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Poster Competition

2014 C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium: Urban Strategies for a New Energy Future

As the national and international community works to advance clean energy solutions in the face of global climate change, states and local governments are becoming incubators of new ideas – demonstrating best practices to support systematic change. Their leadership comes as they intimately feel the effects of climate change, cope with urbanization and a mass of new people in their cities, and account for an increasing share of the world’s energy consumption. What innovative approaches are being explored in cities around the country and around the world? The symposium will be an opportunity for game-changing women to come together and discuss the road ahead for cities and clean energy.

C3E organizers welcome students to enter into a research poster competition.

Submitted posters should focus on clean energy policies, tools, or technologies that cities could be or are employing. Posters will be judged in two broad categories: technology solutions and policy solutions. Finalists must attend the 2014 Women in Clean Energy Symposium: Urban Strategies for a New Energy Future on September 16th and 17th, 2014 in Cambridge, MA, where two winners will be chosen – one from each category.

Apply if you are: A female graduate student engaged in research in any department that addresses this theme.

The Prize: Finalists will be invited to attend the Symposium with expenses paid. This symposium is an excellent opportunity for networking, and two winners will each receive $2,500. Deadline to apply is June 1st. Find out more, and submit your work at C3E Awards website.

The C3E Symposium: The goal of the Symposium is to provide women in clean energy with a range of perspectives, analysis, and data on clean energy challenges and opportunities. It also provides a unique forum for networking. Hopefully it will help build a sustained national and international community of professionals dedicated to advancing the careers and goals of women in clean energy.

Other C3E Awards: As part of the U.S. C3E program, MITEI also invites nomination for mid-career women for outstanding work in clean energy for an $8,000 award in one of eight categories. The deadline to nominate an awardee is midnight on May 15, 2014. Nominate an awardee at C3E Awards website.

Questions? Please contact c3eawards@mit.edu for questions related to the Awards Program, the poster competition, or the C3E Symposium.

DOE’s Office of Science Selects 35 Scientists to Receive Early Career Research Program Funding

The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science has selected 35scientists from across the nation – including 17 from DOE’s national laboratories and 18 fromU.S. universities – to receive significant funding for research as part of DOE’s Early CareerResearch Program. The effort, now in its fifth year, is designed to bolster the nation’s scientificworkforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during the crucial early career years,when many scientists do their most formative work.

“By supporting our most creative and productive researchers early in their careers, this programis helping to build and sustain America’s scientific workforce,” said Patricia M. Dehmer, ActingDirector of DOE's Office of Science.

Full Article [pdf]

Miscellaneous

Family Wellness Expo

Participate in wellness activities designed to improve your family’shealth and well-being

  • Hands-on nutrition and food demonstrationsPlay wellness games
  • Explore career options
  • Enter raffle for prizes!Free healthy lunch provided
  • Special guests Eddie George, ShellyMeyer, Brutus Buckeye, the OSU Dance Team and The Ohio StateUniversity Marching Band! Come for a while or spend the day!

Saturday, June 21, 2014
9 am–3 pm
RPAC
337 W. 17th Ave.
On the Ohio State University campus

Visit the College of Nursing website to learn more and register for the event

CEDD Summer Program Conference

The 2014 CEDD Summer Program Conference is right around the corner.  Your CEDD colleagues and NCSE have planned a great program for you.

NCSE is happy to announce that the hotel has provided us with additional 10 rooms at the preferred rate ($169/night).  Book your hotel room today by contacting Chris Prince (cprince@ncseonline.org).  Chris will complete the booking on your behalf.  The hotel will no longer be able to provide you a room at the preferred rate.

Please take a few minutes to complete the registration process.  Registration, Hotel, and Transportation information about the 2014 CEDD Summer Program Conference is available now.

Please invite a colleague of yours to join us as well and share this information with your colleague(s) who may wish to join you for the conference.

The “Dance Your Ph.D.” Contest

The dreaded question. “So, what’s your Ph.D. research about?” You take a deep breath and launch into the explanation. People’s eyes begin to glaze over…At times like these, don’t you wish you could just turn to the nearest computer and show people an online video of your Ph.D. thesis interpreted in dance form?

Now you can. And while you’re at it, you can win $1000 and a free trip to California, achieve immortal geek fame on the Internet, and be recognized by Science for your effort.

Grand prize

The cash prizes are the same as last year ($500 for each category and an additional $500 for the overall winner). The grand prize winner also gets a free trip to Stanford University in spring 2015 (travel and hotel covered by Highwire Press) to screen your PhD dance.

How to enter

  1. Turn your Ph.D. thesis into a dance.
  2. Post the video at Vimeo.com.
  3. Send us the link by Monday Sep 29 at 11:59 EST

The prizes

A cash prize goes to the best Ph.D. dance in each category:

  • PHYSICS — $500
  • CHEMISTRY — $500
  • BIOLOGY — $500
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES — $500

And the ultimate prize?

BEST PH.D. DANCE OF 2014 — An additional $500 plus a trip to Stanford University in spring 2015 to screen your PhD dance. 

The Rules

  1. You must have a Ph.D., or be working on one as a Ph.D. student.
  2. Your Ph.D. must be in a science-related field (see FAQ).
  3. You must be part of the dance (see FAQ).

Submission deadline: Monday Sep 29 at 11:59 EST. Here’s the fine print.