Newsletter 260 Wednesday 23 January 2013 · A., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2012). Adaptive...

Newsletter 260 Wednesday 23 January 2013

Welcome back! I hope that you have all had the opportunity for at least a little bit of R&R over the summer

break – I have memories of warm sea, coral, brightly coloured fish, swinging out over a blue hole (and

dropping into it), and riding a bike with a back pedal brake and no gears (just like two of my school bicycles)

along rugged roads (laid by the Americans during WWII) with back pack containing flippers and snorkel. Yes,

we did get to Vanuatu and avoided all cyclones (but not necessarily rain).

Semester 1 seems to be starting earlier and earlier – the 18th February, only three and a bit weeks away! As

many of you are know, as students start to come back onto campus so do the stair walkers – those into

opportunistic thieving – so if you are not sure if someone should be where they are simply ask if you can

help them. If they are a genuine student this might mean a friendly helpful interaction, and if they are a stair

walker this is usually sufficient to cause them to leave.

The ‘bump’ we had last weekend should be a reminder that earthquakes may yet not be a thing of the past

and to remain aware of where your personal items are – preferably on your person. Bill will continue to keep

us up-to-date with the remediation process in Putaiao koiora. And as the semester progresses so will the

planning for the Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RSIC).

I hope you all have an excellent year – whether this be as a UC student or a UC staff member!

~ Paula ~

Recent publications in the school

The first papers for the year!

Cerveira, A.M. and Jackson, R.R. (2013). Love is in the air: olfaction-based mate-odour identification by

jumping spiders from the genus Cyrba. Journal of Ethology 31(1): 29-34.

Ghosh, R., Lokman, P.M., Lamare, M.D., Metcalf, V.J., Burritt, D.J., Davison, W. and Hageman, K.J. (2013).

Changes in physiological responses of an Antarctic fish, the emerald rock cod (Trematomus bernacchii),

following exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Aquatic Toxicology 128-129: 91-100.

Laliberté, E., Lambers, H., Norton, D.A., Tylianakis, J.M. and Huston, M.A. (2013). A long-term experimental

test of the dynamic equilibrium model of species diversity. Oecologia 171(2): 439-448.

Lavandero, B. and Tylianakis, J.M. (2013). Genotype matching in a parasitoid-host genotypic food web: an

approach for measuring effects of environmental change. Molecular Ecology 22: 229-238.

Niyogi, D.K., Harding, J.S. and Simon, K.S. (2013). Organic matter breakdown as a measure of stream

health in New Zealand streams affected by acid mine drainage. Ecological Indicators 24: 510-517.

This is Allie's (MSc candidate) first publication AND at first author to boot!

Sikorski, A., Argüello-Astorga, G.R., Dayaram, A., Dobson, R.C.J. and Varsani, A. (2013). Discovery of a

novel circular single-stranded DNA virus from porcine faeces. Archives of Virology 158: 283-289.

Last round for 2012

Monjane, A.L., Pande, D., Lakay, F., Shepherd, D.N., van der Walt, E., Lefeuvre, P., Lett, J.-M., Varsani,

A., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2012). Adaptive evolution by recombination is not associated with

increased mutation rates in Maize streak virus. BMC Evolutionary Biology 12(252): doi:10.1186/1471-2148-

1112-1252.

Williams, M., Holdaway, R.N. and Rogers, K.M. (2012). Feeding environments of New Zealand's extinct

merganser revealed by stable isotope analyses. Wildfowl 62: 190-203.

PhD oral completed

Scott Graham had his oral defence on the last day of the UC term, Friday 21st December. Scott's thesis is

entitled 'Components of ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange in a New Zealand tussock grassland under soil

warming and nitrogen addition'. His senior supervisor is Professor Jason Tylianakis. Congratulations Scott!

Pictured: David Whitehead (Co-Supervisor), Scott Graham and Marta Camps (Oral Examiner)

Making news...

Stinus Lindgreen (Postdoctoral Fellow) appeared

online: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1212/S00138/danish-expert-at-uc-for-two-years-to-study-climate-

change.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1212/S00138/danish-expert-at-uc-for-two-years-to-study-climate-change.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1212/S00138/danish-expert-at-uc-for-two-years-to-study-climate-change.htm

and now for something completely different...

Here are the five worst Christmas gift ideas and the most often returned items

1. Clothing

2. Home items, toys, games and hobbies

3. Beauty items and perfumes

4. Consumer electronics

5. Jewelry and watches

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

2. Fit in Fitness

3. Tame the Bulge

4. Quit Smoking

5. Enjoy Life More

6. Quit Drinking

7. Get Out of Debt

8. Learn Something New

9. Help Others

10. Get Organised

New York Best Seller List - Combined Print & E-Book Fiction

1. A MEMORY OF LIGHT, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

2. HOPELESS, by Colleen Hoover

3. GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn

4. SAFE HAVEN, by Nicholas Sparks

5. FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, by E. L. James

TIME Picks the Top 10 Photos of 2012

Thought for the Week

Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try. -Mary Kay Ash

http://lightbox.time.com/2012/12/13/time-picks-the-top-10-photos-of-2012/#1

Newsletter 261 Tuesday 29 January 2013


Contreras, A.M., Marsden, I.D. and Munro, M.H.G. (2012). Physiological effects and biotransformation of

PSP toxins in the New Zealand scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae. Journal of Shellfish Research 31(4): 1151-

1159.

Ewers, R.M., Bartlam, S. and Didham, R.K. (2013). Altered species interactions at forest edges: contrasting

edge effects on bumble bees and their phoretic mite loads in temperate forest remnants. Insect Conservation

and Diversity early access online: doi: 10.1111/icad.12014.

Kornfeld, A., Heskel, M.A., Atkin, O.K., Gough, L., Griffin, K.L., Horton, T.W. and Turnbull, M.H. (2012).

Respiratory flexibility and efficiency are affected by simulated global change in Arctic plants. New Phytologist

early access online: doi: 10.1111/nph.12083.

Massaro, M., Stanbury, M. and Briskie, J.V. (2012). Nest site selection by the endangered black robin

increases vulnerability to predation by an invasive bird. Animal Conservation early access online: doi:

10.1111/acv.12007.

Rosario, K., Padilla-Rodriquez, M., Kraberger, S., Stainton, D., Martin, D.P., Breitbart, M. and Varsani,

A. (2013). Discovery of a novel mastrevirus and alphasatellite-like circular DNA in dragonflies (Epiprocta)

from Puerto Rico. Virus Research 171: 231-237.

Quist, D.A., Heinemann, J.A., Myhr, A.I., Aslaksen, J. and Funtowicz, S. (2012). Hungry for innovation:

pathways from GM crops to agroecology: European Environment Agency. pp461-517.

PhD oral completed

It is with great delight that the school announces the completion of Sue's defence - CONGRATULATIONS!!

Sue Adkins, had her oral defence on Wednesday 23 January. Her thesis is entitled 'Population biology and

restoration of intertidal cockle beds'. Her supervisors are Associate Professor Islay Marsden and Dr John

Pirker.

Pictured: Islay Marsden, Sue Adkins and Vonda Cummings (External Examiner, NIWA, Wellington)

Introducing...

Dr Andrew Muscroft-Taylor

Over the few remaining weeks of the year and in the New Year, we will be profiling

each of the members of the newly established Industrial Research Limited Protein

Science and Engineering Team located here at the University of Canterbury. We

begin with the Team Leader, Dr Andrew Muscroft-Taylor.

Andrew concluded his PhD studies in synthetic organic chemistry within the

Department of Chemistry here at the University of Canterbury in 2006. He then

embarked on post-doctoral research in the School of Biological Sciences with Juliet Gerrard, where he was

engaged in protein structure and function studies of dihydrodipicolinate synthase. In 2010, Andrew relocated

to Wellington to begin a position with Industrial Research Limited (IRL), a Crown Research Organisation

(CRI). Here Andrew worked in the Carbohydrate Chemistry Team, providing synthetic chemistry solutions to

New Zealand and International clients. In 2012, Andrew returned to Christchurch to lead the new Protein

Science and Engineer Team based within the Biomolecular Interaction Centre (BIC) at the University of

Canterbury. Andrew wishes he had more time to play Ultimate and practice Karate, but usually ends up

fighting his rampant raspberry and blackberry bushes in his vege garden.


The 10 best chocolatiers in the world

The latest Ikea catalogue


A dream is an answer to a question we haven’t yet learned how to ask. -Fox Mulder

http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/28/the-10-best-chocolatiers-in-the-world/

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_AU/customer_service/2013_IKEA_Catalogue.html

Newsletter 262 Monday 4 February 2013

As I am still taking anti-malarial tablets (and weathering the rather strange side effects) I am reminded that

there was a holiday somewhere not so many weeks ago. I seem to have hit the year running with grant

applications due, papers to write, new postgrads starting in the lab, enquiries coming in, UC Futures

discussions, remediation discussions and re-organisations within our own general staff as we, as a School,

work together to stay at the forefront of quality research and teaching. I believe we can all look forward to an

exciting and progressive year within the School and UC as we move into the new academic year.

~ Paula ~


This is Frank's first paper from his thesis, which he has yet to submit. Well done!

Burdon, F.J., McIntosh, A.R. and Harding, J.S. (2013). Habitat loss drives threshold response of benthic

invertebrate communities to deposited sediment in agricultural streams. Ecological Applications, early access

online: 10.1890/12-1190.1.

Heydarnejad, J., Keyvani, N., Razavinejad, S., Massumi, H. and Varsani, A. (2013). Fulfilling Koch's

postulates for beet curly top Iran virus and proposal for consideration of new genus in the

family Geminiviridae. Archives of Virology 158: 435-443.

Marinov, M. (2012). Description of female Hemicordulia hilaris Lieftinck, 1975 (Anisoptera: Corduliidae) with

brief notes on the biogeography of the genus. Records of the Auckland Museum 48: 97-105.

Marinov, M. and Donnelly, T. (2013). Teinobasis fatakula sp. nov. (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae), found on

'Eua Island, Kingdom of Tonga. Zootaxa 3609(6): 589-592.

Nelson, X.J. and Fijn, N. 2013. The use of visual media as a tool for investigating animal behaviour. Animal

Behaviour advanced online, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.12.009

Thompson, G.A. and Schiel, D.R. (2012). Resistance and facilitation by native algal communities in the

invasion success of Undaria pinnatifida. Marine Ecology Progress Series 468: 95-105.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.12.009

Industrial Research Limited is now Callaghan Innovation

Some of you may be aware that a research team was established by Industrial Research Limited (IRL) here

at the University of Canterbury in the School of Biological Sciences in mid 2012. The Protein Science and

Engineering Team, headed by Dr Andrew Muscroft-Taylor, has been working with Canterbury businesses to

solve their biotechnology problems and add value to their existing manufacturing streams. On February 1,

IRL transitioned into Callaghan Innovation. This new government entity has been created to accelerate the

commercialization of innovation in New Zealand firms. The name of Callaghan Innovation is an

acknowledgement and celebration of one of New Zealand’s greatest scientists, Sir Paul Callaghan. His belief

was that science was not only about great ideas, but getting value from those ideas through innovation and

commercialization. More information on Callaghan Innovation can be found at:

http://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/.

Introducing...

Michael Steward

Callaghan Innovation is pleased to welcome Dr Michael Steward (Senior Research

Scientist) to the Protein Science and Engineering Team.

Michael undertook his BSc (Biochemistry) and PhD (Molecular Virology) at the

University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. Michael has extensive experience in

the biotechnology industry, working for a series of companies including Novocastra

Laboratories, AdProTech, Lark Technologies and Domantis. Michael’s research

has ranged from molecular biology (custom cloning and genotyping) to the development of molecular

adjuvants and antibody technology. Michael’s most recent role was with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he

established a domain antibody discovery group with a focus on bispecific antibody therapies. This role

broadened to encompass the generation of monoclonal and domain antibodies to support GSKs

biopharmaceutical pipeline. During this time Michael also led a priority project to identify a leading

monoclonal antibody discovery platform for in-license. Michael is an author on over 30 papers and has

contributed to a similar number of patent filings.

When Michael isn’t working he loves being outdoors, walking or gardening (or even just sitting doing nothing,

which doesn’t happen very often). He is a keen sportsman, invariably turning his hand to anything that

involves a moving ball (squash and 5-a-side football are my sports of choice). He has been married to

Annette, a fellow scientist, for 21 years and is very much looking forward to making a significant contribution

to successful partnerships between Callaghan Innovation and the University of Canterbury.


This is a TED lecture about a project that uses crochet, and mathematics, to model coral reefs

http://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_wertheim_crochets_the_coral_reef.html

Complete Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly


People who make no mistakes lack boldness and the spirit of adventure. They are the brakes on the wheels

of progress. -Dale Turner

http://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_wertheim_crochets_the_coral_reef.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk

Newsletter 263 Wednesday 13 February 2013


Alvaro-Benito, M., Fernández-Lobato, M., Baronian, K.H.R. and Kunze, G. (2012). Assessment

of Schwanniomyces occidentalis as a host for protein production using the wide-range Xplor®2 expression

platform. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology: early access online.

Brindefalk, B., Dessailly, B.H., Yeats, C., Orengo, C., Werner, F. and Poole, A.M. (2013). Evolutionary

history of the TBP-domain superfamily. Nucleic Acids Research Advance Access: 10.1093/nar/gkt1045.

Florschütz, K., Schröter, A., Schmieder, S., Chen, W., Schweizer, P., Sonntag, F., Danz, N., Baronian,

K.H.R. and Kunze, G. (2013). 'Phytochip' - on-chip detection of phytopathogenic RNA viruses by a new

surface plasmon resonance platform. Journal of Virological Methods: early access on line.

Garrett, D.J., Flavel, B.S., Baronian, K.H.R. and Downard, A.J. (2013). Patterned forests of verticially-

aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes using metal salt catalyst solutions. Journal of Nanoscience and

Nanotechnology 13: 728-731.

Giersberg, M., Florschütz, K., Baronian, K.H.R. and Kunze, G. (2012). Arxula adeninivorans (Blastobotrys

adeninivorans): An imperfect dimorphic yeast of biotechnological potential. Microorganisms in Sustainable

Agriculture and Biotechnology. T. Satyanarayana, B. Johri and A. Prakash (Eds.). Berlin, Springer Verlag:

453-468.

Godsoe, W., Larson, M.A., Glennon, K.L. and Segraves, K.A. (2013). Polyploidization in Heuchera

cylindrica (Saxifragaceae) did not result in a shift in climatic requirements. American Journal of Botany

100(3): early access online.

McCarthy, J.K., Brockerhoff, E.G. and Didham, R.K. (2013). An experimental test of insect-mediated

colonisation of damaged Pinus radiata trees by sapstain fungi. PLoS ONE 8(2): e55692.


The Festival of Flowers, 16 February - 3 March

La Grande Swim - 23 February

The Science of Love

http://www.festivalofflowers.co.nz/

http://www.oceanswim.co.nz/event-info/la-grande-swim-akaroa/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDMwpVUhxAo


Dear Mr. Jarrell:

It seems that the twenty-fourth floor is complaining of lost students who are hunting you. Could you put your

name and office hours on the door?

Thank you.

The English Office

[University of Texas, at Austin]

RANDALL JARRELL, OFFICE HOURS 10-11

Mr Jarrell:

Come back and you will find me just the same

Hunters, hunters--but why should I go on?

Learn for yourself (if you are made to learn)

That you must haunt an hourless, nameless door

Before you find--not me, but anything.

Lost Students:

It never seemed to me that I was lost.

You were, perhaps; at least, no one was there.

I missed you; why should I go back?

I am no hunter, I say. I was sent

And asked to find--not you, not anything.

English Office:

Each of them is lost, and neither hunting;

And they stand still around a crazy door

That tells a truth, or lie, that no one learns.

Here is a name, an hour for you to use:

But name, or come, or come not, as you choose.


Welcome to Semester 1

Welcome to all out new postgraduate and undergraduate students. It was great to see how talkative and

interactive our new 4th year group was this morning. I hope you will take advantage of the brand new

facilities available to you on the 4th floor of SBS2.

I thought it might be useful to repeat what I put in the first newsletter of the year and mentioned to our 4th

years today, but it applied equally to everyone on campus: As students start to come back onto campus so

do the stair walkers – those into opportunistic thieving – so if you are not sure if someone should be where

they are simply ask if you can help them. If they are a genuine student this might mean a friendly helpful

interaction, and if they are a stair walker this is usually sufficient to cause them to leave.

The occasional ‘bumps’ we are having should be reminders that earthquakes may yet not be a thing of the

past and to remain aware of where your personal items are – preferably on your person.

Bill will continue to keep us up-to-date with the remediation process in Putaiao koiora. And as the semester

progresses so will the planning for the Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RSIC).

I hope you all have an excellent year – whether this be as a UC student or a UC staff member!

~ Paula ~


Atwood, T.B., Hammill, E., Greig, H.S., Kratina, P., Shurin, J.B., Srivastava, D.S. and Richardson, J.S.

(2013). Predator-induced reduction of freshwater carbon dioxide emissions. Nature Geoscience:

doi:10.1038/ngeo1730.

Greig, H.S., Wissinger, S.A. and McIntosh, A.R. (2013). Top-down control of prey biomass increases with

drying disturbance: an unexpected consequence of non-consumptive interactions? Journal of Animal

Ecology: doi:10.1111/1365-2656.12042. Science News coverage.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/348348/description/Aquatic_predators_affect_carbon-storing_plant_life_


Traces of Anxiety Drug May Affect Behavior in Fish

36 Hours in Melbourne, Australia

French Film Festival

28 February - 10 March, Hoyts Northland


There is in every woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire which lies dormant in the broad daylight of

prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. -Washington Irving

(1783-1859)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/science/traces-of-anxiety-drug-may-affect-fish-behavior-study-shows.html?ref=science&_r=0

http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/travel/36-hours-in-melbourne-australia.html?ref=travel

http://frenchfilmfestival.co.nz/





As a tempopary measure in the school, a 'Paper of the Week' will be featured at reception. Our publications

board will be going up again once level 2 of the research building is fully functional.

Cross, F.R. and Jackson, R.R. (2013). The functioning of species-specific olfactory pheromones in the

biology of a mosquito-eating jumping spider from East Africa. Journal of Insect Behavior 26: 131-148.

Frost, C.M., Graham, A.K. and Spence, J.R. (2013). Abiotic conditions rather than resource availability cues

determine aerial dispersal behaviour in spiderlings of Dolomedes triton (Araneae: Pisauridae). The Canadian

Entomologist 145(01): 29-39.

Marinov, M. and Donnelly, T. (2013). Teinobasis fatakula sp. nov. (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae), found on

'Eua Island, Kingdom of Tonga. Zootaxa 3609(6): 589-592.

Piasecki, T., Harkins, G.W., Chrząstek, K., Julian, L., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2013). Avihepadnavirus

diversity in parrots is comparable to that found amongst all other avian species. Virology

10.1016/j.virol.2013.01.009.

Sikorski, A., Kearvell, J., Elkington, S., Dayaram, A., Argüello-Astorga, G.R. and Varsani, A. (2013). Novel

ssDNA viruses discovered in yellow-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps) nesting material. Archives

of Virology early online access.

Introducing...

Dion Thompson

The next member of the Callaghan Innovation (formerly Industrial Research

Limited) Protein Science and Engineering Team is Dion Thompson. Dion refers to

himself in response to an old joke that asks “what do you call someone who hangs

around with musicians?”, as a science drummer.

Dion has arrived to the team through a circular route that began at Lincoln

University for his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Biochemistry, and

then relocated to the Thermophile Research Unit at Waikato University. After his

time Waikato University, Dion was recruited to AgResearch at Ruakura before taking off to the UK to spend

time at North Wyke Research and the University of Exeter. Finally, prior to returning to Canterbury, Dion

spent 5 years at Southern Cross University in the beautiful Northern Rivers region of NSW. Dion work

focusses on enzymology, natural product characterization and cell culture for commercial clients. Dion has

particular enthusiasm for untangling a spread-sheet full of kinetic data and teasing apart synergist drug

responses, where he draws on his additional postgraduate maths knowledge. Dion has published in high

quality journals including Methods in Enzymology. Dion also shows his versatility outside of the lab being a

keen brewer, Christmas tree farm owner and if he appears a bit grumpy it will be because he is going cold

turkey on competitive rugby after thirty years.


Will Godsoe as PI for an international group of biogeographers and theoreticians studying the role of

species interactions on models of species distributions. Early Feb, Knoxville TN.

How to look cool

(Really...)


There are countless ways of achieving greatness, but any road to achieving one's maximum potential must

be built on a bedrock of respect for the individual, a commitment to excellence, and a rejection of mediocrity.

-Buck Rodgers

http://www.wikihow.com/Look-Cool

Newsletter 266 Monday 4 March 2013

Congratulations to Jon Harding for his appointment as one of the two Deputy Deans of Postgraduate

Studies. Jon has stepped down from his position as our Postgraduate Co-ordinator. Ashley Garrill, who has

been the deputy to Jon, has willingly stepped into our position and holds delegated authority from me to be

the Post Graduate Co-ordinator for the School of Biological Sciences. Ximena Nelson will be Deputy Post

Graduate Co-ordinator.

My grateful thanks to Jon for all his contributions as this is a position with a considerable amount of work and

responsibility, and thanks to Ashley and Ximena for taking on their roles.

~ Paula ~


Calvo, J., Álvarez, I., Aedo, C. and Pelser, P.B. (2013). A phylogenetic analysis and new delimitation

of Senecio sect. Crociseris (Compositae: Senecioneae), with evidence of intergeneric hybridization. Taxon

62(1): 127-140.

Eklöf, A., Jacob, U., Kopp, J., Bosch, J., Castro-Urgal, R., Chacoff, N.P., Dalsgaard, B., De Sassi, C.,

Galetti, M., Guimarães Jr., P.R., Lomáscolo, S.B., González, A.M.M., Pizo, M.A., Rader, R., Rodrigo,

A., Tylianakis, J.M., Vázquez, D.P. and Allesina, S. (2013). The dimensionality of ecological networks.

Ecology Letters: 10.1111/ele.12081.

I forgot to mention last week that this is Carol's first publication and that she came in as first author,

congratulations!

Frost, C.M., Graham, A.K. and Spence, J.R. (2013). Abiotic conditions rather than resource availability cues

determine aerial dispersal behaviour in spiderlings of Dolomedes triton (Araneae: Pisauridae). The Canadian

Entomologist 145(01): 29-39.

Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2013). Artificial spawning habitats improve egg production of a declining

diadromous fish, Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842). Restoration Ecology: 10.1111/rec.12008.

Thomas, J., Ingerfeld, M., Nair, H., Chauhan, S.S. and Collings, D.A. (2013). Pontamine fast scarlet 4B: a

new fluorescent dye for visualising cell wall organisation in radiata pine tracheids. Wood Science Technology

47: 59-75.

Where are they now...

Sara Kross (PhD graduate 2012), has recently been selected as a 2013 Smith Conservation Research

Fellow. She will be moving to California in August to start the two-year fellowship which is coordinated by the

Cedar Tree Foundation and the Society for Conservation Biology. Sara will complete a project titled,

“Conservation in the agricultural landscape: Investigating the tradeoffs between avian conservation and farm

production in an ecosystem services framework” under the academic mentorship of Dr. Jason Townsend at

University of California, Davis and working in partnership with Dr. Rodd Kelsey of Audubon California.


Other reasons why people use discharge certificates

Why my cat should be the next pope

(try not to take this tooo seriously...)

How to slice a tomato

Annual farewell to the Godwits


The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of the young mind for the purpose

of satisfying it afterwards. -Anatole France

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news266_discharge.jpg

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2013/why-my-cat-should-be-the-next-pope/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0xVthFSJBg

http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/annual-farewell-to-the-godwits-kuaka/christchurch-city/christchurch


BIOSOC has started up again (I do remember it from my earlier years at UC) with an energetic committee

with lots of ideas and a BBQ for members (a small joining fee applies) on Friday 15th March. I invite BIOSOC

to contribute information/news to our weekly newsletter.

Our student Postgrad Committee is running a Quiz night on the 21st March for teams of eight – a small entry

charge applies! I was in the team that came second last time – I hope we win this time!!

~ Paula ~


Griffin, K.L. and Turnbull, M.H. (2013). Light saturated RuBP oxygenation by Rubisco is a robust predictor of

light inhibition of respiration in Triticum aestivum L. Plant Biology: early access online.


Beautiful universities around the world

A look at the city's harbour

(with video of Dave Schiel)

Tauranga’s harbour is the focus of a day long symposium aiming to raise awareness and educate the public

on the waters surrounding the city.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/expateducation/9480575/Beautiful-universities-around-the-world.html

http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/40009-a-look-at-citys-harbour.html

Turnbulls become Kiwis


Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. -Confucius


Packing up a house to move to a new city or even a new house is exciting – but packing up for eight weeks

in a motel in the same city is a little less so! So just to let you know we’ve got packers starting next week and

a bit of teaching on before Easter, so I may be a little less available this next couple of weeks.

However, the Green Fingers team led by Anish is looking forward to a challenge from other teams – we’ve

already got a few staff points (the HoS must be worth at least two) and we’ve been told by judge Dave

Collings himself that he is open to bribes!

~ Paula ~


Atkinson, S.C., Dogovski, C., Downton, M.T., Pearce, F.G., Reboul, C.F., Buckle, A.M., Gerrard, J.A.,

Dobson, R.C.J., Wagner, J. and Perugini, M.A. (2012). Crystal, solution and in silico structural studies of

dihydrodipicolinate synthase from the common grapevine. PLoS ONE 7(6): e38318.

Boughton, B.A., Hor, L., Gerrard, J.A. and Hutton, C.A. (2012). 1,3-Phenylene Bis (Ketoacid) derivatives as

inhibitors of Escherichia colidihydrodipicolinate synthase. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 20(7): 2419-

2426.

Cross, P.J., Allison, T.M., Dobson, R.C.J., Jameson, G.B. and Parker, E.J. (2013). Engineering allosteric

control to an unregulated enzyme by transfer of a regulatory domain. Proceedings of the National Academy

of Sciences of the United States of America 110(6): 2111-2116.

Gerrard, J.A. and Cottam, J.R. (2012). Protein cross-linking in food: Structure, applications, implications for

health and food safety. Food Biochemistry and Food Processing. B. K. Simpson. New York, Wiley-Blackwell:

207-222.

Gerrard, J.A., Lasse, M., Cottam, J., Healy, J.P., Fayle, S.E., Rasiah, I., Brown, P.K., Bin Yasir, S.M.,

Sutton, K.H. and Larsen, N.G. (2012). Aspects of physical and chemical alterations to proteins during food

processing - some implications for nutritiion. British Journal of Nutrition 108(Supplement 2): S288-S297.

Griffin, M.D.W. and Gerrard, J.A. (2012). The relationship between oligomeric state and protein function.

Protein Dimerisation and Oligomerisation in Biology. J. M. Matthews. New York, Springer: 74-90.

Griffin, M.D.W., Bilakanti, J.M., Wason, A., Keller, S., Mertens, H.D.T., Atkinson, S.C., Dobson,

R.C.J., Perugini, M.A., Gerrard, J.A. and Pearce, F.G. (2012). Characterisation of the frist enzymes

committed to lysine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS ONE 7(7): e40318.

Healy, J.P., Wong, K., Sawyer, E.B. Roux, C., Domigan, L.J., Gras, S.L., Sunde, M., Larsen,

N.G., Gerrard, J.A. and Vasudevamurthy, M. (2012). Polymorphism and higher order structures of protein

nanofibers from crude mixtgures of fish lens crystallins: toward useful materials. Biopolymers 97(8): 595-606.

Hettiarachchi, C.A., Melton, L.D., Gerrard, J.A. and Loveday, S.M. (2012). Formation of Beta-Lactoglobulin

nanofibrils by microwave heating gives a peptide composition different from conventional heating.

Biomacromolecules 13(9): 2868-2880.

Ireland, R.D., Brennan, S.O., Gerrard, J.A., Walmsley, T.A., George, P.M. and King, R.I. (2012). A mass-

spectroscopic method for measuring des-Leu albumin: A novel marker for chronic pancreatitis. Clinical

Biochemistry 45(18): 1664-1668.

Lasse, M., Gerrard, J.A. and Pearce, F.G. (2012). Aggregation and fibrillogenesis of proteins not

associated with disease: a few case studies. Subellular Biochemistry: Protein Aggregation and

Fibrillogenesis in Cerebral Systemic Amyloid Disease. J. R. Harris. Dordrecht, Springer. 65: 253-270.

Nelson, X.J. and Fijn, N. (2013). The use of visual media as a tool for investigating animal behaviour.

Animal Behaviour 85(3): 525-536.

Newton, A.E., Fairbanks, A.J., Golding, M., Andrewes, P. and Gerrard, J.A. (2012). The role of the Maillard

reaction in the formation of flavour compounds in dairy products: not only a deleterious reaction but also a

rich source of flavour compounds. Food and Function 3(12): 1231-1241.

Rao, S.P., Meade, S.J., Healy, J.P., Sutton, K.H., Larsen, N.G., Staiger, M.P. and Gerrard, J.A. (2012).

Amyloid fibrils as functionalizable components of nanocomposite materials. Biotechnology Progress 28(1):

248-256.

Reboul, C.F., Porebski, B.T., Griffin, M.D.W., Dobson, R.C.J., Perugini, M.A., Gerrard, J.A. and Buckle,

A.M. (2012). Structural and dynamic requirements for optimal activity of the essential bacterial enzyme

dihydrodipicolinate synthase. PLoS Computational Biology 8(6): e1002537.

Winterbourn, M.J. and Pohe, S.R. (2013). Life histories of four dragonfly species (Odonata: Anisoptera) in

northern New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist 36(1): 8-14.

Introducing...

Kathryn Baker and Kat Melief (welcome back!) have filled the two new positions of Laboratory/Autoclave

Assistants. If Kathryn's name sounds familiar to some zoologists, she did her BSc in Zoology back when

Frank and Khris were here! They will be enjoying their new digs in the washing up/autoclave room on the

first floor of Biology2 very soon.

Gavin Tisch has replaced Teri Johnston, as a full time Laboratory Assistant. He will be assisting our other

Gavin in animal physiology.

Graeme Boddy has jumped in to take up the role of Technical Assistant that Mr Tisch left behind.

James Strong

The next member of the Callaghan Innovation Protein Science and Engineering

Team to be profiled is Dr James Strong. James completed his PhD at Rhodes

University in South Africa and has a background in biotechnology, microbiology

and chemistry. The majority of his research has involved either isolating valuable

materials from waste product streams or rendering these waste streams less toxic

to the environment. Such projects have application across a wide range of

industries. Generally, his research has involved some form of fermentation or

biological digestion, but he has demonstrated his versatility by working on projects

ranging from fungal enzyme production to antibody purification from tobacco plants. James enjoys

developing new processes, often integrating new technologies to improve their efficiency. As part of

Callaghan Innovation based at the University of Canterbury, James is enthusiastic about engaging with

researchers at UoC on any project that has real-world application.

James has published in a number of biotechnology journals, and is an active reviewer for some of these. He

has also had the opportunity to present his work at international research meetings.

In his free time, James is a keen angler and will appreciate any tips on good salmon or blue cod fishing

spots.

The Body, the Research and the Professor

CTV will go digital on 18th March. For followers of Canterbury Medical Research Foundation's (CMRF)

show, this is very exciting news as their first programme in the new series is scheduled to screen on the 19th

March at 8.30 pm and replay over the following week. The second programme is the 26th March plus replays

and then weekly, until all five programmes in the series have been broadcast.

Presented by CMRF's Medical Director Professor Robin Fraser with John Dunne, the first show features our

very own Associate Professor Steven Gieseg and looks at atherosclerosis and cholesterol issues.

Programme two, guests Drs Anthony and Phil Butler and Nigel Anderson and delves into nanoparticles.

Then follow shows with Professor Justin Roake on heart disease and strokes, plastic surgery practices with

Mr Jeremy Simcock and Professor Eric Espiner and researcher, geneticist Dr Anna Pilbrow.

CMRF gratefully acknowledges the Mainland Foundation for their support in producing these programmes.

Journal news

BBC World Service - Science in Action

Brain-to-brain communication, featuring at end our very own Jason Tylianakis. Session is 18 minutues long.


Crusaders back on track with Bulls victory

Huge puddle jump surprise

Five top cult movies

(or you be the judge...)

1. Barbarella (1968)

2. The Big Lebowski (1998)

3. Brazil (1985)

4. Breathless (1960)

5. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

David Attenborough's Kingdom of Plants - Introduction

(Watch it - TV One, Tuesdays, 8.30 pm)


Many of the greatest men have owed their success to industry rather than to cleverness. -John Lubbock

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014t2kz

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8435653/Crusaders-back-on-track-with-win-over-Bulls

http://www.vancouversun.com/videos/recommended/video.html?embedCode=pxdWw1YTqe3v3EBzuz3JlYKnYwiJBTbV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofxCVJvHqj0

Newsletter 269 Tuesday 26 March 2013

The packers moved in today…..

Happy Easter everyone – remember Easter Tuesday is a University Holiday!

~ Paula ~


Heinemann, J.A., Zanon Agapito-Tenfen, S. and Carman, J.A. (2013). A comparative evaluation of the

regulation of GM crops or products containing dsRNA and suggested improvements to risk assessments.

Environment International 55: 43-55.

Heiskanen, A., Coman, V., Kostesha, N., Sabourin, D., Haslett, N., Baronian, K., Gorton, L., Dufva, M. and

Eméus, J. (2013). Bioelectronchemical probing of intracellular redox processes in living yeast cells-

application of redox polymer wiring in a microfluidic environment. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry:

early access online.

Heskel, M.A., Greaves, H., Kornfeld, A., Gough, L., Atkin, O.K., Turnbull, M.H., Shaver, G. and Griffin, K.L.

(2013). Differential physiological responses to environmental change promote woody shrub expansion.

Ecology and Evolution: early access online: doi: 10.1002/ece1003/1525.

Heydarnejad, J., Hesari, M., Massumi, H. and Varsani, V. (2013). Incidence and natural hosts of Tomato leaf

curl Palampur virus in Iran. Australasian Plant Pathology 42: 195-203.

Piasecki, T., Harkins, G.W., Chrząstek, K., Julian, L., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2013). Avihepadnavirus

diversity in parrots is comparable to that found amongst all other avian species. Virology 438: 98-105.

Congratulations to Ceci on her first authored publication!

Romo, C.M. and Tylianakis, J.M. (2013). Elevated temperature and drought interact to reduce parasitoid

effectiveness in suppressing hosts. PLoS ONE 8(3): e58136.

Yoder, J.B., Smith, C.I., Rowley, D.J., Flatz, R., Godsoe, W., Drummond, C. and Pellmyr, O. (2013). Effects

of gene flow on phenotype matching between two varieties of Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia; Agavaceae) and

their pollinators. Journal of Evolutionary Biology: early access online.

PhD oral completed

Davon Callander, had her defence on Wednesday 13 March. Her thesis is

entitled 'Effects of environmental stress on gene expression in mussels'. Her

senior supervisor is Professor David Schiel. Congratulations Davon on a well

defended thesis!


What causes hiccups?

What does the Easter bunny have to do with Easter?

Waiheke Island Jazz Festival

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis

(a rockabilly treat because tickets are sold out)


Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature.

-Helen Keller

In remembrance of Robyn Pinn - Mum, Grandma, Artist, Geraldine treasure.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/hiccup.html

http://news.discovery.com/history/what-does-easter-bunny-come-have-to-do-easter-120406.htm

http://www.waihekejazzfestival.co.nz/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxW3Ed7GrhQ

Newsletter 270 Tuesday 9 April 2013

Annual Biology Conference (ABC)

Thursday 17 October 2013

Location: A1 - A3

Abstracts due by: 20 September 2013

~ Paula ~


Budy, P., Thiede, G.P., Lobóon-Cerviá, J., Fernandez, G.G., McHugh, P., McIntosh, A.R., Asbjørn

Vøllestad, L.

Becares, E. and Jellyman, P.G. (2013). Limitation and facilitation of one of the world's most invasive fish: an

intercontinental comparison. Ecology 94(2): 356-367.

Dickie, I.A., Martínez-García, L.B., Koele, N., Grelet, G.-A., Tylianakis, J.M., Peltzer, D.A. and Richardson,

S.J. (2013). Mycorrhizas and mycorrhizal fungal communities throughout ecosystem development. Plant and

Soil early access online.

Jackson, R.R. and Cross, F.R. (2013). A cognitive perspective on aggressive mimicry. Journal of Zoology

early access online.

Nelson, X.J. and Jackson, R.R. (2013). Hunger-driven response by a nectar-eating jumping spider to

specific phytochemicals. Chemoecology early access online.

Razavinejad, S., Heydarnejad, J., Kamali, M., Massumi, H., Kraberger, S. and Varsani, A. (2013). Genetic

diversity and host range studies of turnip curly top virus. Virus Genes 46: 345-353.

Robinson, E., Jerrett, A.R., Black, S. and Davison, W. (2013). Hypoxia impairs visual acuity in snapper

(Pagrus auratus). Journal of Comparative Physiology A early access online.

Tylianakis, J.M. (2013). The global plight of pollinators. Science 339: 1532-1533.

Tylianakis, J.M. and Soper, E.J. (2013). Assessing cumulative risks to ecosystem function: expectations

and realities of environmental change interaction effects. Climate Vulnerability: Understanding and

Addressing Threats to Essential Resources. Ed. R. Pielke, Academic Press. 4: 229-237.

Woodford, D.J. and McIntosh, A.R. (2013). Effects of introduced trout predation on non-diadromous galaxiid

fish populations across invaded riverscapes. Science for Conservation 320. Wellington, Department of

Conservation. 23p.

PhD orals completed

It is with enormous pleasure that I announce that both Kristy Hogsden and Mauricio Urbina

Foneron defended their PhD theses on Wednesday 27 March.

Pictured: Associate Professor Jon Harding (Senior Supervisor), Kristy Hogsden (PhD candidate) and

Associate Professor Kevin Collier (Oral Examiner)

Kristy's thesis is titled 'Structure and function of food webs in streams'.

Pictured: Adjunct Associate Professor Malcolm Forster (Associate Supervisor), Mauricio Urbina Foneron

(PhD candidate), Dr Norman Ragg (Oral Examiner), and Dr Chris Glover (Senior Supervisor)

Mauricio's thesis is titled 'Physiological responses of Inanga (Galaxias maculatus) (Jenys) to environmental

salinity and oxygen levels: The role of gills and skin in ion exchange and gas exchange across a salinity

gradient'.

In the Spotlight...

Paul Gardner's research has been immortalised into a cartoon! Paul attended a recent conference in

Boston and Francis Rowland gave him this fine compliment! Francis Rowland cartooned Paul Gardner's talk

Ant Poole's article on "What if Kiwi are just tiny Moa?" was highlighted on 'The Civilian' website.

Adjunct Associate Professor John Clemens, has a glorious spread in Avenues (April issue) titled 'A green

heart'. A Jurassic gift for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens' 150th anniversary year is a symbol of exciting

things to come for this beloved piece of turf. It's curator John Clemens' job to help work out what to plant

where for the next half-century.


Kitty goes nuts for milk

Scientific Articles Accepted (Personal Checks, Too)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/francisrowland/8591706117/in/set-72157633049218262

http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/what-if-kiwi-are-just-tiny-moa-asks-biologist/

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news270_Avenues.pdf

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news270_Avenues.pdf

http://www.vancouversun.com/videos/recommended/video.html?embedCode=EwcXZuYTrL9P3oi7cfjrJQCYPHVIBFvs

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/health/for-scientists-an-exploding-world-of-pseudo-academia.html?ref=science&_r=0

Thoughts for the Week

Former British Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke.

Here is a selection of her best quotes:

1."Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."

2."I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one

personally, it means they have not a single political argument left."

3."I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

4."If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman."

5."Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the

problems of running a country."

6."A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us."

7."To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions

best."

8."I seem to smell the stench of appeasement in the air."

9."I don't mind how much my ministers talk, as long as they do what I say."

10."Pennies don't fall from heaven; they have to be earned here on Earth."

Newsletter 271 Monday 15 April 2013

The long-awaited PBRF results are out. As many of you now know the School has come out extremely well -

well tops really! As a School our overall score was 6.2. We are the top equal department at UC (with

Psychology), and the top School of Biological Sciences in the country (Auckland SBS scored 4.8). Over

three quarters of our PBRF-eligible staff scored a 'B' or better. Our 2005 Strategic Plan set a target of 75% of

staff reaching at least a B grade and that was before the earthquakes so well done, we made it.

Thanks are due to Matthew who guided the preparation of the evidence portfolios - and a big thank you to all

our researchers and that includes not just the academic leading a lab group but the post docs and post grads

in our labs and the technical staff who support them, as well as all our other support staff - its been a huge

team effort.

The score is even more impressive when you consider what we went through from Sept 2010 and through

2011, in and out of our labs - and in some cases completely out of homes - but the research and writing and

portfolio preparation continued apace. Our performance also shows that the faith the UC Council put in us

with the $56 million building/refurbishment programme has indeed been vindicated. We now need to turn this

result to our advantage in recruiting more students!

~ Paula ~


Atkin, O.K., Turnbull, M.H., Zaragoza-Castells, J., Fyllas, N.M., Lloyd, J., Meir, P. and Griffin, K.L. (2013).

Light inhibition of leaf respiration as soil fertility declines along a post-glacial chronosequence in New

Zealand: an analysis using the Kok method. Plant and Soil early access online.

Chauhan, S.S., Sharma, M., Thomas, J., Apiolaza, L.A., Collings, D.A. and Walker, J.C.F. (2013). Methods

for the very early selection of Pinus radiata D. Don. for solid wood products. Annals of Forest Science early

access online.

In the Spotlight... Jack Heinemann

The Press

Lax GM rules may bit back - scientists

Scientist warned agency of GM danger

Is it safe to eat?

FWPlus website

New GM technology under fire

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8466949/Lax-GM-rules-may-bite-back-scientists

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8466949/Lax-GM-rules-may-bite-back-scientists

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8481665/Scientist-warned-agency-of-GM-danger

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/editorials/8492720/Editorial-Is-it-safe-to-eat

http://www.fwplus.co.nz/article/new-gm-technology-under-fire

Radio New Zealand News

New GM food not proven safe

Radio New Zealand National

Claims of lax food safety regulations for GM molecules (17min, 32sec)


How to put a cat in a cat carrier easily

(Just for you Alan!!!)

How to build a fairy house


Great graduation motivation:

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown

out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

~ Steve Jobs

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/131349/new-gm-food-not-proven-safe,-says-researcher

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20130328

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmzG7_8Yemc

http://www.fairyhouses.com/about-fairy-houses/how-to-build/

Newsletter 272 Tuesday 23 April 2013

We are now into term two and many of us are back into the swing of teaching after a busy ‘break’ of field

activities. My impression is that field campaigns went well and students have come back from their field

experiences pretty enthusiastic about their studies (if a little wet...). Best wishes for those teaching in the

coming weeks.

On a darker note, please be careful about office/lab security – we have greater flows of people through our

buildings during teaching time and it is difficult to know who belongs and who doesn’t. Already we have had

a theft from a closed (but not locked) office. It’s really important to keep doors locked when offices are not

occupied – the small additional hassle of locking/unlocking is worth it in comparison to having personal

and/or Uni gear stolen.

~ Matthew ~


Atwood, T B., Hammill, E., Greig, H.S., Kratina, P., Shurin, J.B., Srivastava, D.S. and Richardson, J.S.

(2013). Predator-induced reduction of freshwater carbon dioxide emissions. Nature Geoscience 6: 191-194.

Dayaram, A., Goldstien, S.J., Zawar-Reza, P., Gomez, C., Harding, J.S. and Varsani, A. (2013). Novel

ssDNA virus recovered from estuarine Mollusc (Amphibola crenata) whose replication associated protein

(Rep) shares similarities with Rep-like sequences of bacterial origin. Journal of General Virology 94: 1104-

1110.

Gerrard, J.A. (2013). Protein Nanotechnology: Protocols,

Instrumentation, and Applications. New York, Springer. 371pp.

Greig, H.S., Wissinger, S.A. and McIntosh, A.R. (2013). Top-down

control of prey biomass increases with drying disturbance: an

unexpected consequence of non-consumptive interactions? Journal of

Animal Ecology 82(3): 598-607.

Julian, L., Piasecki, T., Chrząstek, K., Walters, M., Muhire, B., Harkins,

G.W., Martin, D.P. andVarsani, A. (2013). Extensive recombination

detected among beak and feather disease virus isolates from breeding

facilities in Poland. Journal of General Virology 94: 1086-1095.

Sanhueza, C., Bascunan-Godoy, L., Corcuera, L.J. and Turnbull, M.H. (2013). The response of leaf

repiration to water stress in Nothofagus species. New Zealand Journal of Botany early access online.

PhD oral completed

Roopashree Revanna defended her thesis on Monday 15 April. The title is 'Investigation into the functional

nature of FRC locus conditioning fructan levels in onion'. Her senior supervisor is Professor Matthew

Turnbull.

Pictured: Professor Matthew Turnbull (Senior Supervisor), Dr Elspeth McRae (Oral Examiner), Roopashree

Revanna and Dr John McCallum (Associate Supervisor)

Wedding bells

On Friday April 19th, Aliaa Idris (PhD student in plant cell biology) married Mohamad Safwan Ismail in

Kejong, near Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia.

In the Spotlight

Mark Silby (PhD graduate 2002) has been living in Boston for 11 years, and teaches microbiology at the

University of Massachusetts. He spoke on the Morning Report (Radio New Zealand) about the tragic events

in Boston.

April graduation - 19 April 2013

Doctor of Philosophy

IN PERSON

Sue Adkins in Environmental Sciences (awarded 17 April 2013)

Population biology and restoration of intertidal cockle beds

Kristy Hogsden in Ecology

Structure and function of food webs in acid mine drainage streams

Sarah-Jane O'Connor in Ecology

Quantifying seed dispersal of matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia)

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2552251/more-from-a-new-zealander-living-in-boston

IN ABSENTIA

Mauricio Urbina Foneron in Zoology

Physiological responses of inanga (Galaxias maculatus) (Jenys) to environmental salinity and oxygen levels:

the role of gills and skin in ion exchange and gas exchange across a salinity gradient

COUNCIL CEREMONY

Scott Graham in Ecology

Components of ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange in a New Zealand tussock grassland under soil

warming and nitrogen addition

Rocio Jana in Ecology

Animal dispersal and its consequences for plant recruitment

Tristan Stringer in Zoology

Developmental of biossay approaches to evaluate the impacts of pollution on New Zealand estuaries using

the marine copepod Quinquelaophonte sp.

Master of Science

Miles Burford Ecology First Class Honours

Delyse Campbell Ecology Second Class Honours, Division II

Jenifer Iles Ecology First Class Honours

Archie MacFarlane Ecology Second Class Honours, Division I

Andrew Memory Ecology First Class Honours

Hannah Prebble Biochemistry First Class Honours

Kim Roberts Ecology Distinction

Mailee Stanbury Ecology First Class Honours

Kieran Tibble Ecology Second Class Honours, Division II

Josh van Vianen Ecology First Class Honours

COUNCIL CEREMONY

Ashley Card, Zoology, First Class Honours, 30 January 2013

Kristy Udy, Ecology, Second Class Honours, Division I, 30 January 2013

Shevelle Hutt, Zoology, First Class Honours, 27 February 2013

Laurel Julian, Microbiology, First Class Honours, 27 March 2013

Bachelor of Science with Honours Stacey McKenzie Biochemistry Second Class Honours, Division I

Melissa Webby Biochemistry First Class Honours

IN ABSENTIA

Tessa Lambert, Biochemistry, Second Class Honours, Division I

COUNCIL CEREMONY

Marleen van Oeveren, Biochemistry, First Class Honours

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences/Biochemistry Leon A.G. Allen Samuel J. Arnet Nixie C.M. Boddy

Rebecca J. Broughton Nicholas J. Burnett Hazel L. Clemens

Padraig J. Deegan Tomislav Flikac Sophia K. Hunt

Amanda R. Inglis Morgan C. Jones Cody J. Kinzett

Alexander O. Law Emma K. Livingstone Keren M. Love

Hannah R. MacLeod Anishah N.D. Mandani Kate L. McGeorge

Sophie R. Moloney Admad Osama Charlotte A. Phelps

Monique A. Piket Emma C. Puloka Victoria A. Roxburgh

Brittany G.C. Seaward Melissa A. Seymour Manmeet S. Sidhu

Susannah A. Stewart Thomas S.T. Swan Joanna H. Swete

Liezl Thalwitzer Ayla L. van Loenen Kate A. Vick

Katherine L. Wootton

IN ABSENTIA

Reuben D. Herz-Edinger

Tessa K. Lambert


Tribute to Dave McCartney

Is that the way

Virginia

Never fade away

Tribute to Chrissy Amphlett

(Divinyls)

I touch myself

Pleasure and pain


Retirement quotes:

Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength. - Betty Friedan

People forget how fast you did a job, but they remember how well you did it. - Howard Newton

The things that one wants most to do are the things that are probably most worth doing. - Winifred Holtby

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon the verdure is the most perfect refreshment. - Jane Austen

It's not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours. - Sam Ewing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE0V24AGoYQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb-UcN076O0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehSp00IUrZs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjRG9Xn_UxA

Newsletter 273 Monday 29 April 2013


Kornfeld, A., Atkin, O.K., Griffin, K.L., Horton, T.W., Yakir, D. and Turnbull, M.H. (2012). Modulation of

respiratory metabolism in response to nutrient changes along a soil chronosequence. Plant, Cell and

Environment 36(6): 1120-1134.

This publication has extra kudos by having their research on the front cover of this issue! Check it out.

Kross, S.M., McDonald, P.G. and Nelson, X.J. (2013). New Zealand falcon nests suffer lower predation in

agricultural habitat than in natural habitat. Bird Conservation International doi:10.1017/S0959270913000130.


The (original) Coffee Club

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news273_PCE_36_6_cover.pdf

How to talk like a pirate


“The person who says something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it.”

http://www.wikihow.com/Talk-Like-a-Pirate

Newsletter 274 Monday 6 May 2013

In the spotlight

Many congratulations to three UC PhD students who were recipients of Todd Foundation Awards for

Excellence (Universities) last week. These awards support research projects that will benefit New Zealand,

with an emphasis on projects with a practical application. Of the eight awards made three were awarded to

UC students: Tom Brookman (Geological Sciences), Helen Warburton (Biological Sciences) and Matt

Signal (Mechanical Engineering).

Check out the latest UC More, Feel More, Do More campaigns and you will spot Dr Laura Young and Tejraj

Janmale (PhD candidate).

BIOSOC presents D.A.D (David Attenborough Day!)

Come celebrate the birthday of one of Biology's most famous personalities, David Attenborough! How do we

celebrate birthdays? Why, with cake of course!

BIOSOC and CakeSoc have collaborated to bring you a cake feasting event! THERE WILL BE CAKE.

Feel free to BYO cake to contribute to the cake supply! There will be competitions and prizes for the best

David Attenborough! Comes dressed as the man of the hour for some awesome cakes, friends and of

course, David! Memorable footage of David Attenborough's escapades from around the world will be

featured!

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

David Attenborough Day

Wednesday 8th May

12pm - 2pm

School of Biological Sciences Building - Atrium (ground floor, near the aquarium)

Hope to see you there!!!

BioSoc Committee

Facebook link to the DAD event: http://www.facebook.com/events/369239796519146/

BIOSOC Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/396757107046080/


Photo: courtesy of K. Baronian

Jock Paget wins Badminton horse trials Road Safety Week 6 - 12 May Exam questions foretold

Thought for the Week Things do not change, we change. – Kalidasa

http://www.facebook.com/events/369239796519146/

http://www.facebook.com/groups/396757107046080/

http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Jock-Paget-wins-Badminton-Horse-Trials-2013-in-dramatic-style/tabid/415/articleID/296788/Default.aspx

http://www.brake.org.nz/roadsafetyweek

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news274_exam_questions.jpg


It is a busy time for research-related activities this month. Congratulations to five groups within the School for

getting the ‘call-up’ for full proposals by the Marsden Fund. Ant Poole, Ren Dobson, Will Godsoe, Robert

Jackson and Mads Thomsen will be leading the charge to get full proposals written over the next few weeks.

I am sure they would welcome assistance from colleagues to proof-read drafts so they get the best possible

outcome when funding is determined.

Also on the agenda in coming months will be our collective contribution to the National Science Challenges,

which were announced last week (http://www.msi.govt.nz/update-me/major-projects/national-science-

challenges/). This is an opportunity for all of us to consider how we might contribute. Hazel and the research

committee will be requesting suggestions/feedback in the coming weeks, so give some thought to that.

~ Matthew ~

In the spotlight

Jack Heinemann's article in Environmental International has the big thumbs up for being most

downloadable in the last 90 days! Heinemann, J.A., Zanon Agapito-Tenfen, S. and Carman, J.A. (2013). A

comparative evaluation of the regulation of GM crops or products containing dsRNA and suggested

improvements to risk assessments. Environment International 55: 43-55.

Check out Nixie Boddy (BSc Hons candidate), Amanda Klemmer (PhD candidate) and Hamish

Greig (Postdoctoral Fellow) at the airport on a very large billboard. They are all members of the Freshwater

Ecology Research Group.

Introducing...

The next member of the Callaghan Innovation Protein Science and Engineering

Team to be profiled is Dr Antonia Miller. Antonia is a Senior Research Scientist in

the team, and is an alumnus of the University of Canterbury, obtaining her PhD in

Biochemistry under the supervision of Prof Juliet Gerrard. Antonia undertook two

post-doctoral fellowships, the first at Case Western Reserve University in the USA,

and the second at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Over these post-

doctoral years, Antonia expanded her repertoire to include skills in cell biology and

physiology, with an overall focus on diseases that arise as a result of diabetes. Antonia was the holder of a

prestigious Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Fellowship and has been awarded national

and international grants from organizations such as the National Health and Medical Research Council of

Australia. Antonia has published in high quality journals in the fields of Biochemistry, Endocrinology and

Physiology, such as the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Diabetes and Circulation Research. During her time

http://www.msi.govt.nz/update-me/major-projects/national-science-challenges/

http://www.msi.govt.nz/update-me/major-projects/national-science-challenges/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412013000494



http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news275_Airport_Billboard.JPG

at Monash, Antonia was a co-founder of a precinct-wide early career researchers committee, dedicated to

the professional development of final year PhD students through to 7 years post-PhD. Antonia enjoys hitting

the squash court with some members of the School of Biological Sciences, but is sadly yet to register a win

against Dave Collings and has been annihilated by Matt Walters on more than one occasion.


If animals would eat fast food

How Dilbert deals with noisy co-workers

How to defrost a freezer


People have been known to achieve more as a result of working with others than against them.

- Dr. Allan Fromme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKGO4H2f2L8

http://search.dilbert.com/comic/Cubicle%20Noise

http://www.wikihow.com/Defrost-a-Freezer



Glover, C.N., Bucking, C. and Wood, C.M. (2013). The skin of fish as a transport epithelium: a review.

Journal of Comparative Physiology B, early access online.

Liu, E.E., Leung, D.W.M., Xia, Q.H., Zheng, J.R., Peng, X.X. and He, X.M. (2013). Efficient plant

regeneration in vitro from cotyledon explants of chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. chieh-qua).

ScienceAsia 39: 134-138.

Pilkington, S.M., Montefiori, M., Galer, A.L., Emery, R.J.N., Allan, A.C. and Jameson, P.E. (2013).

Engogenous cytokinin in developing kiwifruit is implicated in maintaining fruit flesh chlorophyll levels. Annals

of Botany, early access online.

Rocha, C.S., Castillo-Urquiza, G.P., Lima, A.T.M., Silva, F.N., Xavier, C.A.D., Hora-Júnior, B.T., Beserra-

Júnior, J.E.A., Malta, A.W.O., Martin, D.P., Varsani, A., Alfenas-Zerbini, P., Mizubuti, E.S.G. and Zerbini,

F.M. (2013). Brazilian begomovirus populations are highly recombinant, rapidly evolving, and segregated

based on geographical location. Journal of Virology 87(10): 5784-5799.

In the spotlight

Yet again one of our fine postgraduate students appears on the front cover of the Research Report. This

time the accolades go to Rathishri Chanduruveland (PhD candidate). Rathi's research topic is

'Investigation of biomarkers of stress in New Zealand bivalves'. Her senior supervisor is Chris Glover.

Sophia Hunt and Katherine Wootton (MSc candidates) have both been awarded scholarships

from Freemasons New Zealand. They have received $6,000 each towards their studies. Four Canterbury

students received these scholarships and two just happen to be ours! Congratulations to you both.

and now for something completely different... Crusaders make statement with big win Mazes and Labyrinths Kenton Nelson

Thought for the Week Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom. - Will Durant

http://www.research.canterbury.ac.nz/Research_Report_2012_book_web.pdf

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news276_kate.jpg

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news276_hunt.jpg

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/crusaders/8690307/Crusaders-make-statement-with-big-win

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/11/25/amazing-creative-hedge-mazes-and-labyrinths/

http://kentonnelson.com/gallery.php

Newsletter 277 Tuesday 4 June 2013


Atkin, O.K., Turnbull, M.H., Zaragoza-Castells, J., Fyllas, N.M., Lloyd, J., Meir, P. and Griffin, K.L. (2013).

Light inhibition of leaf respiration as soil fertility declines along a post-glacial chronosequence in New

Zealand: an analysis using the Kok method. Plant and Soil 367: 163-182. [Now complete with page

numbers]

Dayaram, A., Goldstien, S.J., Zawar-Reza, P., Gomez, C., Harding, J.S. and Varsani, A. (2013).

Identification of starling circovirus in an estuarine mollusc (Amphibola crenata) in New Zealand using

metagenomic approaches. Genome Announcements 1(3): e00278-00213.

Dickie, I.A., Martínez-García, L.B., Koele, N., Grelet, G.-A., Tylianakis, J.M., Peltzer, D.A. and Richardson,

S.J. (2013). Mycorrhizas and mycorrhizal fungal communities throughout ecosystem development. Plant and

Soil 367(1-2): 11-39.[Now complete with page numbers]

Gharouni-Kardani, S., Heydarnejad, J., Zakiaghl, M., Mehrvar, M., Kraberger, S. and Varsani, A. (2013).

Diversity of Beet curly top Iran virus isolated from different hosts in Iran. Virus Genes 46: 571-575.

Hilbeck, A., Lebrecht, T., Vogel, R., Heinemann, J.A. and Binimelis, R. (2013). Farmer's choice of seeds in

four EU countries under different levels of GM crop adoption. Environmental Sciences Europe 25(12):

doi:10.1186/2190-4715-1125-1112.

Hogsden, K.L. and Harding, J.S. (2013). Leaf breakdown, detrital resources, and food webs in streams

affected by mine drainage. Hydrobiologia early access online: doi:10.1007/s10750-10013-11544-10753.

Marinov, M. and Richards, S. (2013). Notes on the female colour forms of Synthemis miranda Selys, 1871

(Odonata: Synthemistidae) in New Caledonia. Australian Entomologist 40(2): 57-64.

Muhire, B., Martin, D.P., Brown, J.K., Navas-Castillo, J., Moriones, E., Murilo-Zerbini, F., Rivera-Bustamante,

R., Malathi, V.G., Briddon, R.W. and Varsani, A. (2013). A genome-wide pairwise-identity-based proposal

for the classification of viruses in the genus Mastrevirus (family Geminivirdae). Archives of Virology 158:

1411-1424.

In the spotlight

Robyn White (MSc candidate), has received the Roland Stead Scholarship worth $5,000. Robyn's research

is on the 'Response of New Zealand birds to the presence of novel predators' and she is supervised by Jim

Briskie. Congratulations Robyn!

Jack Heinemann has been mixing it up again with these articles/opinions on GM research:

The National Business Review

GM Watch

The Conversation


Animals you didn't know existed

(this page may take awhile to load)

Goodreads

(Meet your next favourite book)

All in the family - Too good Edith

(Six minutes of gold by Jean Stapleton and Carroll O'Connor)


"Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner, and roots as dark as her soul."

- as said by Blanche Hunt about Liz McDonald

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/authority-rejects-anti-gm-claims-dc-140674

http://gmwatch.org/latest-listing/52-2013/14855-authors-of-new-paper-on-dsrna-risks-respond-to-fsanz

http://theconversation.com/securing-the-safety-of-genetic-modification-13102

http://imgur.com/a/Jexvo

http://www.goodreads.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcTVvK3_jB4



Goldstien, S.J., Inglis, G.J., Schiel, D.R. and Gemmell, N.J. (2013). Using temporal sampling to improve

attribution of source populations for invasive species. PLoS ONE 8(6): e65656.

Ito, Y., Ohi-Toma, T., Murata, J. and Tanaka, N. (2013). Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of

the Ruppia maritima complex focusing on taxa from the Mediterranean. Journal of Plant Research early

online access.

Thaher, M., Umar, D.M., Takaoka, T. and Harding, J.S. (2013). Application of the maximum convex sum

algorithm in determining environmental variables that affect Nigerian highland stream benthic communities.

Procedia Computer Science 18: 909-918.

PhD oral completed

Paul Dutton, completed his oral exam on Friday 7th June. His

thesis is titled 'Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes elliot) ecology in a

Nigerian Montane Forest'. His senior supervisor is Associate

Professor Hazel Chapman and in attendance were Dr Nicholas

Malone (Oral Examiner) and Dr Marie Hale (Oral Chair). No

commemorative photo, but here is one taken on his research site in

Nigeria (pictured at right).

Congratulations Paul!

In the spotlight

If you happen to be in the neighbourhood of Oslo, Norway, you can catch Professor Jim Briskie talk at the

Natural History Museum this Thursday, 13 June on 'Nest predation and the evolution of life history traits in

New Zealand birds'.


First footage of ocean's largest bony fish

Beautiful butterfly

What not to do if you fall asleep at work...

How to travel with your dog


On the move again...

http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8672427/first-footage-of-oceans-largest-bony-fish

http://www.redorbit.com/images/pic/77878/universe-butterfly-nebula-ngc-6302-hubble-061013/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-11/german-banker-falls-asleep-on-keyboard-transfers-millions/4745042

http://www.funnydogsite.com/pictures/Relax_How_I_Want.htm

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news278_Just-Moving-You-Down-To-Four.jpg


Building News

Life seems remarkably quiet at the moment after the trials of Monday (yesterday) when we had lots of watery

related incidents:

1. One of the R/O (distilled water) units had a hissy fit and destroyed itself. The back-up unit is still working. Major problems and probably major expense to get this unit repaired or replaced.

2. The sewer backed up which forced us to close down the holding tanks coming from the constant temperature rooms. Unfortunately lots of seawater was being drained from one of the CT rooms causing the holding tank to overflow. Luckily we got on to the strong hydrogen sulphide smell fairly quickly.

3. A great deal of water bubbled up through all of the cracks in the basement floor. The hope is that remediation with fix most of this. Serves us right for building a basement in Ilam.

Other than that, not a lot to report: the level 4 move is going very smoothly; Hawkins will start ripping level 4

apart on Monday morning; Hawkins will be shutting down the distilled water on Friday morning

~ Bill ~


Dunne, J.A., Lafferty, K.D., Dobson, A.P., Hechinger, R.F., Kuris, A.M., Martinez, N.D., McLaughlin, J.P.,

Mouritsen, K.N., Poulin, R., Reise, K., Stouffer, D.B., Thieltges, D.W., Williams, R.J. and Zander, C.D.

(2013). Parasites affect food web structure primarily through increased diversity and complexity. PLoS

Biology 11(6): e1001579.

Pham, H.T.M., Kunath, K., Gehrmann, L., Giersberg, M., Tuerk, J., Uhlig, S., Hanke, G., Simon,

K., Baronian, K. and Kunze, G. (2013). Application of modified Arxula adeninivorans yeast cells in an online

biosensor for the detection of estrogenic compounds in wastewater samples. Sensors Actuators B.

doi.1016/j.snb.2013.05.065.

PhD oral completed

Anastasia Shchepetkina, had her oral exam on Thursday 13 June. Her thesis is titled 'Mechanisms of 7,8-

dihydroneopterin protection of macrophaqges from cytotoxicity'. Her senior supervisor is Associate Professor

Steven Gieseg. Anastasia originally travelled from the Russian Federation to complete her studies here at

Canterbury. She has been a huge asset on the postgraduate front during her time here. Congratulations

Anastasia on completing your oral exam!

Pictured: Associate Professor Steven Gieseg (Senior Supervisor), Anastasia, Dr Jacquie Harper (External

Examiner)

In the spotlight

Daniel B. Stouffer's most recent publication (see above), was highlighted in Decoded Science and Science

Daily.

From the deep...

The answers to the most talked about species in the acquarium of late.

Why do starfish lose their arms?

When they are threatened or grabbed by a predator, such as a crab they will sacrifice the arm that’s being

grabbed or simply drop one as a distraction while they try to escape.

http://www.decodedscience.com/how-do-parasites-affect-food-webs/31103

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130611204639.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130611204639.htm

How long does it take a starfish to regenerate a lost arm?

About a year.

What happens to the lost arm if it is not eaten or damaged?

It can grow into a new starfish as long as some part of the central ring is included.


Hey Grant, hope Colin doesn't get any bright ideas...

Tis the season to be knitting your animal hat

Ten of the worst decisions ever made


“Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.” ~ Yoda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_6GB2sMVI&feature=em-subs_digest&list=TLwddvSHxLAzU

http://www.animalknithats.com/

http://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/10-worst-decisions.htm#page=0



Heinemann, J.A., Massaro, M., Coray, D.S.., Zanon Agapito-Tenfen, S. and Wen, J.D. (2013).

Sustainability and innovation in staple crop production in the US Midwest. Inernational Journal of Agricultural

Sustainability doi:10.1080/14735903.2013.806408.

Jankowska, D. A., Trautwein-Schult, A., Cordes, A., Hoferichter, P., Klein, C., Bode, R., Baronian, K. and

Kunze, G. (2013). Arxula adeninivorans xanthine oxidoreductase and its application in the production of food

with low purine content. Journal of Applied Microbiology doi:10.1111/jam.12284.

Schowe, K.A., Harding, J.S. and Broady, P.A. (2013). Diatom community response to an acid mine

drainage gradient. Hydrobiologia 705: 147-158.

Tylianakis, J.M. (2013). Response: Pollination decline in context. Science 340: 923-925.

In the spotlight

Jack Heinemann's latest paper drew the attention of Michael Pollan, professor of journalism at UC-Berkeley

and who writes for the New York Times Review of Books and is author of the Ominvore’s Dilemma, The

Botany of Desire, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation

and others. Michael tweeted this about the new paper:

You can also listen to Jack Heinemann on the Bush Telegraph which was broadcast yesterday on the topic

of 'Study: no yield advantage with GM crops'. Jack speaks to Cameron Wilson from the ABC's Radio

Network.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bushtelegraph/gm-yields/4775862


Some different guitar music

Nadal out in Wimbledon shocker

Snow/wind/rain images from last Thursday

TED talks: What will future jobs look like

(14 mins long)


Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

- Nelson Mandela

http://www.youtube.com/embed/XlyCLbt3Thk?rel=0

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/8836980/Nadal-dumped-out-in-Wimbledon-shocker

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/gales-howl-through-wellington-winter-storm-moves-north-5470284/photos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXQrbxD9_Ng

Newsletter 281 Monday 1 July 2013

Building news

1. Hawkins are about a week into level 4 work and it is impressive how much they have done already. The labs are bare, the vinyl has been stripped from the floor and much of the floor has been ground back. Everyone is surprised at how relatively little damage there is to the floor. Floor injection should start in about a week’s time.

2. The digger in the gravel area between von Haast and SBS is preparing the area for laying an asphalt path. Work has stopped until they sort out how to lay the path over gravel and concrete without cracks simply appearing. This should be sorted in about a week.

3. The path is holding up erection of scaffolding on the western end of SBS1. Once the path is finished, a temporary ramp will be installed about three metres out from the building. It will not be pretty, but will be functional. Once this ramp is finished, scaffolding will be erected over the existing ramp – they do not plan to dismantle the ramp at this stage.

4. Final dates for moving level 5 down to level 3 should be in place this week. 5. The scaffolding around the back entranceway will stay in place for some time. Apparently there is a

problem with the external seismic joint Between SBS 1 and 2.

~ Bill ~


This is Arvind Ravichandran's (PhD candidate) first published journal. Congratulations Arvind!

McGroty, S.E., Pattaniyil, D.T., Patin, D., Blanot, D., Ravichandran, A.C., Suzuki, H., Dobson,

R.C.J., Savka, M.A. and Hudson, A.O. (2013). Biochemical characterization of UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-

alanyl-D-glutamate: meso-2,6-diaminopimelate ligase (MurE) from Verrucomicrobium spinosum DSM 4136T.

PLoS ONE 8(6): e66458.

Complete with page numbering

Sikorski, A., Kearvell, J., Elkington, S., Dayaram, A., Argüello-Astorga, G.R. and Varsani, A. (2013). Novel

ssDNA viruses discovered in yellow-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps) nesting material. Archives

of Virology 158: 1603-1607.

Tomimatsu, H., Sasaki, T., Kurokawa, H., Bridle, J.R., Fontaine, C., Kitano, J., Stouffer, D.B., Vellend, M.,

Bezemer, T.M., Fukami, T., Hadly, E.A., van der Heijden, M.G.A., Kawata, M., Kéfi, S., Kraft, N.J.B.,

McCann, K.S., Mumby, P.J., Nakashizuka, T., Petchey, O.L., Romanuk, T.N., Suding, K.N., Takimoto, G.,

Urabe, J. and

Yachi, S.(2013). Sustaining ecosystem functions in a changing world: a call for an integrated approach.

Journal of Applied Ecology early access online.

Recently submitted theses

Francis Burdon (PhD): Impacts of sedimentation on the structure and functioning of agricultural stream

communities.

Jen Cate (PhD): The effects of tourism on the behaviour of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri)

Patrick Collins (MSc): Investigating nuclear pore-anchoring proteins in plants using transient gene

expression

Carina Davis (MSc): Application of metagenomics to microbial source tracking

Moritz Lassé (PhD): Does protein aggregation state impact on the digestibility and safety of foods?

Simon Litchwark (MSc): Impact of honey bee declines on invasive weed pollination

James McBride (MSc): Factors influencing the honeydew production of Ultracoelostoma scale insects in

New Zealand beech forests.

Kusitino Mudunaivalu (MSc): Community fishery resource management in New Zealand: Is it serving its

purpose?

Karen Renouf (MSc): Riparian buffer zones of the Canterbury agricultural landscape as nutrient filters.

Emma Swadel (MSc): An investigation into the underlying mechanisms of hyphal branching in filamentous

microorganisms.

Mandy Yang (MSc): Is the antifungal and anti-tumour activity of Ajoene achieved through the inhibition of

microtubules?


TED talk: The art of asking

Nature: New Zealand aims highwith Natural Science challenges

Mad Science quiz of Doom


What "bleeping" kind of human being am I, if my own mother wants me dead?

- Tony Soprano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMj_P_6H69g&feature=em-hot-vrecs

http://www.nature.com/news/new-zealand-aims-high-with-national-science-challenges-1.13253

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/mad-scientist-quiz.htm

Newsletter 282 Tuesday 9 July 2013

Building news

Not a lot to report this week, though the third item is very important.

o Despite telling me about all of the work that was starting late last week, the gravel area between von Haast and SBS1 remains a wasteland. In theory, by now we should have acquired a new ramp and a tarmacced path.

o Current dates for moving from Level 5 to level 3 in SBS1 are mid September. No I don’t know why Hawkins needs this much time.

o I received an e-mail last week announcing that the South Island MPI inspector’s position has been disestablished, and the inspector has been moved to a different position. At the moment I am not sure what will happen with all of our MPI interactions. Be aware though that if you are transferring something and need a transfer request, make sure you give Nicole plenty of warning.

~ Bill ~


Now complete with page numbers


290: 161-171.

In the spotlight

GM crops article goes viral! Meet the co-author, Jack Heinemann, of the most popular article in International

Journal of Agricultural Sustainability.

Robert Jackson's photo for his publication above made it to the front cover of Journal of Zoology 290.

If you missed Troy Watson (MSc graduate 2012) on TV3 news segment, promoting the New Zealand

Mountain Film Festival, you can watch it here.

and now for something completely different... Fred Perry who? Hugo & Holly For you loyal Otago fans

Thought for the Week Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first. -Frederick B. Wilcox

http://tandf.msgfocus.com/q/11xqEPbmuyw6jIvy/wv

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jzo.2013.290.issue-3/issuetoc

http://www.3news.co.nz/Daring-journey-highlight-of-Mountain-Film-Festival/tabid/312/articleID/304090/Default.aspx

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23221727

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YtAVIGq1ko

http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renovation/other/auction-613176465.htm

Newsletter 283 Tuesday 16 July 2013


Francis Burdon's (PhD candidate) first publication from his unpublished thesis. Congratulations

Francis!

Burdon, F.J., McIntosh, A.R. and Harding, J.S. (2013). Habitat loss drives threshold response of benthic

invertebrate communities to deposited sediment in agricultural streams. Ecological Applications 23(5): 1036-

1047.

Dayaram, A., Potter, K.A., Moline, A.B., Rosenstein, D.D., Marinov, M., Thomas, J.E., Breitbart, M.,

Rosario, K., Argüello-Astorga, G.R. and Varsani, A. (2013). High global diversity of cycloviruses amongst

dragonflies. Journal of General Virology 94: 1827-1840.

Gornish, E.S. and Tylianakis, J.M. (2013). Community shifts under climate change: Mechanisms at multiple

scales. American Journal of Botany early access online.

In the spotlight

Jessica Roche (PhD candidate), won the Best student poster prize from the New Zealand Society of Plant

Biologists received at the annual conference recently. Her winning poster title was: Systems Biology: To

build understanding of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/12-1190.1

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/12-1190.1

http://vir.sgmjournals.org/content/94/Pt_8/1827.full.pdf+html

http://www.amjbot.org/content/early/2013/07/02/ajb.1300046.full.pdf+html

PhD oral completed

Gareth Taylor, completed his oral defence on Wednesday 10th July. The title of Gareth's thesis is

'Management of Sand Beaches for the protection of Shellfish Resources'.

Pictured: Associate Professor Islay Marsden (Senior Supervisor), Gareth, Dr Terry Hume (Oral Examiner,

NIWA) and Dr Deirdre Hart (Associate Supervisor, Geography Department)


Why are office kitchens so putrid?

The most patient and docile cat ever!

Catching dragonflies in Tonga

(an oldie, but a goodie!)

Thought for the Week There are no speed limits on the road to excellence.

- Unknown

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/8910622/Why-are-office-kitchens-so-putrid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-UKbDMfnuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAK1mfxtSu0



Rauter, M., Schwarz, M., Becker, K., Baronian, K., Bode, R. and Kunze, G. (2013). Synthesis of benzyl β-D-

galactopyranoside by transgalactosylation using a β-galactosidase produced by the over-expression of the

Kluyveromyces lactis LAC4 gene in Arxula adeninivorans. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic. Early

access online.

In the spotlight

Roseanna Gamlen-Greene (BSc student), was awarded the Walter Jones Scholarship which will be funding

her tuition fees for this year. Well done Roseanna!

Ryan Catchpole (PhD candidate), won the Mayo Prize for best student talk at the Genetics Society of

Australasia (GSA) conference in Sydney, 14-17 July. His winning talk was on 'Bacterial translation initiation -

fMet'. Congratulations Ryan!

Robyn White (MSc candidate), was officially awarded the Roland Stead Scholarship for 2013 at a

presentation on 17 July with Roland Stead, Jeff Field (Reigstrar), Paula Jameson (Head of School) and the

2012 recipient Matt Wallace in attendance.

Pictured: 2012 recipient Matt Wallace and 2013 recipient Robyn White


Tribute to Mel Smith

Pit of despair - The Princess Bride

Discussing the Beatles

Police interrogation

Wallaby coach ends his rein with Queenland...with a loss

John Casablancas, the man who made supermodels

Kittens on a slide


When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”

-Anonymous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z05StkAKKF0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok_42shL_5E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOy_oP3ESQY

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/the-rugby-championship/ewen-mckenzie-eyes-all-blacks-after-reds-exit-super-rugby-playoffs/story-e6frf4qc-1226682519435#.UexYWNJHJ8E

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/john-casablancas-the-man-who-made-supermodels-and-grew-to-regret-it-dies-aged-70-8724659.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gppbrYIcR80



McCarthy, J.K., Didham, R.K., Brockerhoff, E.G., van Bysterveldt, K.A. and Varsani, A. (2013). High-

resolution DNA melt-curve analysis for cost-effective mass screening of pairwise species interactions.

Molecular Ecology Resources doi:10.1111/1755-0998.12143.

In the spotlight

Yinnon Dolev (PhD candidate), won the best presentation award at the recently held Australiasian Society

for the Study of Animal Behaviour conference held in Auckland. Well done!

Jack Heinemann, was spotted online in Global Research, Centre for Research on Globalization on the topic

of US Genetically Engineered Agriculture is Outclassed by Europe’s Non-GM Approach.

and now for something completely different... And you think you've got problems! Caption competition - send in your winning caption! Winner announced next newsletter

25 Amazing Images With An Electron Microscope

Thought for the Week An inability to stay quiet is one of the most conspicuous failings of mankind. - Walter Bagehot

http://www.globalresearch.ca/us-genetically-engineered-agriculture-is-outclassed-by-europes-non-gm-approach/5341518

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1C9tgbg5rQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YBjiY6kggo

Newsletter 286 Monday 5 August 2013


Dong, S.Y., Lin, S.J., Christenhusz, M.J.M. and Barcelona, J. (2013). Lindsaeaceae. Flora of China:

Pteridophytes. P. H. R. D. Y. H. Z. Y. Wu, Beijing: Science Press; St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden. 2-3:

139-146.

McCarthy, J.K., Didham, R.K., Brockerhoff, E.G., van Bysterveldt, K.A. and Varsani, A. (2013). High-

resolution DNA melt-curve analysis for cost-effective mass screening of pairwise species interactions.

Molecular Ecology Resources doi:10.1111/1755-0998.12143.

This is Abishek's first publication. He is presently doing his PhD with Ashley Garrill. Congratulations

Abishek!

Muralidhar, A., Novis, P.M., Broady, P.A., Collings, D.A. and Garrill, A. (2013). An estuarine species of

the alga Vaucheria (Xanthophyceae) displays an increased capacity for turgor regulation when compared to

a freshwater species. Journal of Phycology doi:10.1111/jpy.12106-13-080.

PhD oral completed

Francis Burdon, completed his oral exam on Friday 2nd August. This took part as a video link between

Switzerland-Palmerston North-Christchurch. Frank's thesis title is 'The effects of stream productivity on

aquatic-terrestrial linkages'. His senior supervisor is Associate Professor Jon Harding.

Frank has now settled into his three-year Postdoctoral Fellowship position at Eawag Aquatic Research in

Duebendorf in the Aquatic Ecology Unit. Well done Frank!

Pictured: Dr Russell Death (Oral Examiner), Francis Burdon (top right), Associate Professor Jon Harding

(Senior Supervisor) and Professor Dave Kelly (Oral Chair)

Farewell for Jack van Berkel

A retirement farewell for Jack van Berkel (UC Field Stations Manager) was held on Wednesday July 31st

at the Staff Club and hosted by the School.

He was joined by his wife Betty and long-standing colleagues and friends from Biological Sciences, Facilities

Management, Geography, Geological Sciences and Forestry Departments. Several retirees attended to

farewell Jack and wish him well after nearly 40 years of service to the Kaikoura Field Station and latterly all

the University field stations.

Jack gave a light-hearted PowerPoint history of the building of the Kaikoura Field Station, early Registry

processes, and various disasters that occurred both natural and man-made.

Many grateful graduate students and staff who could not attend sent their best wishes. Jack still resides in

Kaikoura and will no doubt still be seen at EPFS in the future.


Sleepy Man Banjo Boys

Caption competition winner:

"At this University we take Health & Safety so seriously that even the dead people have to wear seatbelts!"

(Mike Hickford, collect your prize from reception)

The top 10 posts from the week

(Treehugger)


No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning.

- Proverb

http://www.ted.com/talks/sleepy_man_banjo_boys_bluegrass_virtuosity_from_new_jersey.html

http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/culture/top-10-posts-week-bees-bears/#slide-top


As you know the School of Biological Sciences offered 10 out of the 17 presentations in the College of

Science heats for thesis-in-three. Congratulations to the top three - all from Biology!

1) Alexandria Tino (score 27.5 out of 30) Natural dietaries and ovarian cancer

2) Olivia Burge (27) Succession within the Awarua-Waituna wetland complex

3) Jessica Hill (26.5) Whitebait: What happens to the ones that escape?

According to the judges, competition was extremely tight with only a 3-point spread between the top 13

scores, so congratulations and thanks to everyone from Biology who competed. Our best wishes to Alex,

Olivia and Jessica for the University round.

~ Paula ~

Building News

It has been a few weeks since I last mentioned anything about building work, mainly because everything has

been fairly quiet. So what is happening?

1. In SBS1, level 3 is essentially finished. Level 4 is coming along well, with most of the concrete injection work in the labs completed. There is still injection and grinding work to do in the corridors.

2. I have MPI organized to inspect level 3 on September 6 and all being well, the move of people and equipment from level 5 down to level 3 will happen a week after that.

3. Scaffolding is very slowly going up on the west wall of SBS1 to allow repair of surface cracks. 4. The basement continues to be very wet. 5. We had a small flood on level 2 about a week ago (spotted at 5pm on a Friday evening). This has

required some remediation work to that area, in particular replacement of ceiling tiles. 6. The ice maker was moved to level 5 to allow remediation of the level 3 corridors. Once level 3 is

signed off, it will move back to that level. 7. In about three weeks time we have 4th year exams. It will be interesting to see how we fare in terms

of noise. 8. We should be in a relatively quiet phase of the building work, but there was a substantial amount of

grinding work this morning (12th) and a very impressive amount of noise over the weekend. Apologies for those people trying to work quietly – Hawkins do most of their really noisy work before 8.30am and after 5.00pm plus weekends in order to leave us relatively quiet during the working day.

Defibrillators

The University maintains a number of defibrillators on campus. Our closest one is in Forestry located “at the

main entrance to the college office”. A new one has just been installed near the entrance to Café 101

specifically to cater for people in Law and the south end of campus.

~ Bill ~


Kraberger, S., Stainton, D., Dayaram, A., Zawar-Reza, P., Gomez, C., Harding, J.S. and Varsani,

A. (2013). Discovery of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum hypovirulence-associated virus-1 in urban river sediments of

Heathcote and Styx Rivers in Christchurch City, New Zealand. Genome Announcements 1(4): e00559-

00513.

Leung, D.W.M. (2013). Intraspecific variation in metal tolerance of plants. Heavy metal stress in plants. F. J.

C. D.K. Gupta, J.M. Palma, Springer, New York: 163-172.

Sikorski, A., Dayaram, A. and Varsani, A. (2013). Identification of a novel circular DNA virus in New

Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) fecal matter. Genome Announcements 1(4): e00558-00513.

Wells, N.S., Clough, T.J., Condron, L.M., Baisden, W.T., Harding, J.S., Dong, Y., Lewis, G.D. and Lear, G.

(2013). Biogeochemistry and community ecology in a spring-fed urban river following a major earthquake.

Environmental Pollution 182: 190-200.

In the spotlight


290: 161-171.

Not only did Robert Jackson's photo for this publication above make it to the front cover of Journal of

Zoology 290, but Fiona Cross has a podcast available for listening! There are four interviews in this

podcast, and Fiona is the second person who is interviewed. The interview begins at 12:00 mins and she

talks for 17 minutes.

PhD oral completed (correction)

Francis Burdon, completed his oral exam on Friday 2nd August. This took part as a video link between

Switzerland-Palmerston North-Christchurch. Frank's PhD thesis title is 'Impacts of sedimentation on the

structure and functioning of agricultural stream communities'. His senior supervisor is Associate

Professor Jon Harding.

Who wrote this?

Introducing a new section to the newsletter. If you want others to use their brains a little more, send in a few

of your favourite lines from the book you are reading (be it fiction or non-fiction) and see how many smarties

are out there.

Here is the first, probably too easy for some...

http://genomea.asm.org/content/1/4/e00559-13.full.pdf+html


http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-38469-1_9#page-1





http://www.yada-yada.co.uk/Blackwell/JZO/audio/JZO_Summer2013.mp3

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what

my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that

David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.


It's official, Benji is with the Blues

Robotic plant learns to grow like the real thing

Why every bike needs a bell


One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

- Bob Marley

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10910929

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24018-robotic-plant-learns-to-grow-like-the-real-thing.html#.Ugg39H8ZRQg

http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/why-every-bike-needs-bell.html


Thesis-in-Three final

The UC Thesis in Three final was held last Thursday night and was a great success. The judges included

Andrew Ramsay (UCSA Vice-President); Associate Professor Janet Carter (Psychology) and Emeritus

Professor John Burrows (Law). The top three winners were Steven Banerjee (Mechanical Engineering) who

came third with his presentation, "The silicon centipede - A parallel cellular delivery chip". Olivia Burge

(Biological Sciences) took out second place with, "Regeneration within the Awarua-Waituna wetland

complex" and Ksenia Gnevsheva (Linguistics) won first place with "Non-native English accents: How

malleable are they?"

Congratulations to all!

~ Paula ~

The talks were pretty awesome with some great deliveries. Our three finalists (Olivia, Jess Hill and Alex Tino)

did exceptionally well, receiving warm accolades from the audience. I certainly walked away with the warm

fuzzies after a thrilling evening. - Editor


This is Kata's first publication before the submission of her PhD. Congratulations Kata!

Farkas, K., Pang, L., Lin, S., Williamson, W., Easingwood, R., Fredericks, R., Jaffer, M.A. and Varsani,

A. (2013). A gel filtration-based method for the purification of infectious rotavirus particles for environmental

research applications. Food and Environmental Virology 10.1007/s12560-013-9122-4.

Just for the record, Arvind, has five out of eight publications in the top row of the Publications board!

This is Jeremy's first publication before the submission of his PhD. Congratulations Jeremy!

Keown, J.R., Griffin, M.D.W., Mertens, H.D.T. and Pearce, F.G. (2013). Small oligomers of ribulose-

bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase are required for biological activity. Journal of

Biological Chemistry 288(28): 20607-20615.

Nelson, X.J. and Jackson, R.R. (2013). Hunger-driven response by a nectar-eating jumping spider to specific

phytochemicals. Chemoecology 23: 149-153. Now complete with page numbering.

http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12560-013-9122-4.pdf

http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2013/05/29/jbc.M113.466383.full.pdf

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00049-013-0130-5

In the spotlight

The 2014 Postgraduate Prospectus is now available online as a pdf with clickable links. More importantly it

has the FERGie gang on the front, Nixie Boddy (BSc Hons), Dr Hamish Greig (Graduate 2008), Amanda

Klemmer (PhD candidate), Helen Warburton (PhD candidate), and Mark Galatowitsch (PhD candidate).


Guadalupe Peralta (PhD): Effects of quantitative food web structure on functional resilience in the

edge between natural and production forests (research proposal title).

Jen Skilton (PhD): Restoration of the Avon-Heathcote estuary/ihutai: benthic invertebrate responses

and interactions with bottom-up feeds of legacy nitrogen (research proposal title).

Sitara Thotta-Nagesh (MSc): Identification and visualisation of actin-binding proteins in Arabidopsis

thaliana and tobacco BY2 cells.

Danladi Umar (PhD): The effects of land use on stream communities in highland tropical streams in

Nigeria.

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/publications/documents/postgraduate_prospectus.pdf

Personal earthquake protection system trialled

It may look colourful, but these are no ordinary balloons. Prof Juliet Gerrard (Biological Sciences) is trialling a

newly developed safety system with built-in early warning device. The system may take a lot of hot air to

install, but only costs a few dollars. Inventors have included an ingenious early warning device, “We have

inserted glitter in to 7 percent of the balloons, should an earthquake occur the balloons will pop and release

a visual warning” said one unnamed source.

The system has so far been a total success, with the only downside being that items can easily swallowed

up by the balloons. “I lost my coffee and sandwiches” said Gerrard.

With the continuing shaking around the country this new protection system may just catch on.

Who wrote this?

"I’ve just finished reading some of my early papers, and you know, when I finished I said “…….(name) …..my

boy, you used to be a damned clever fellow”.


Body language in cats

Sad dog diary

(content contains the word "poop")

TED talk: Derek Paravicini and Adam Ockelford: In the key of genius


It was through the feeling of wonder that men now and at first began to philosophize.

- Aristotle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvsfB7sf4QU&list=TL_sALzGq95hU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw1C5T-fH2Y

http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_paravicini_and_adam_ockelford_in_the_key_of_genius.html



Heskel, M.A., Atkin, O.K., Turnbull, M.H. and Griffin, K.L. (2013). Bringing the Kok effect to light: A review

on the integration of daytime respiration and net ecosystem exchange. Ecosphere 4(8): 1-14.

Kraberger, S., Harkins, G.W., Kumari, S.G., Thomas, J.E., Schwinghamer, M.W., Sharman, M., Collings,

D.A., Briddon, R.W., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2013). Evidence that dicot-infecting mastreviruses are

particularly prone to inter-species recombination and have likely been circulating in Australia for longer than

in Africa and the Middle East. Virology 444: 282-291.

Pelser, P.B. and Barcelona, J.F. (2013). Discovery through photography: Amyema nickrentii, a new species

of Loranthaceae from Aurora Province, Philippines. Phytotaxa 125(1): 47-52. (full pdf unavailable)

PhD oral completed

Moritz Lasse completed his oral defence on Tuesday 20 August. His thesis is titled 'Does protein

aggregation state impact on the digestibility and safety of foods?'. His senior supervisor is

Professor Juliet Gerrard. Moritz has begun a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Biomolecular Interaction

Centre. Congratulations!

In the spotlight

BIC students sweep E3: Enzyme Engineering and Evolution Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB)

Satellite meeting, 25-26 August poster prizes:

L to R: Rachel North, Katherine Donovan, Amy Yewdall, Sam Kim

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/ES13-00120.1


Student Trifecta to MERG

MSc student Jess Hill of the Marine Ecology Research Group was awarded top prizes at the joint

conference of the NZ Marine Sciences Society, NZ Freshwater Sciences Society and the Australia Society of

Fisheries Biology in Hamilton last week. Jess was honoured for Best Student poster in aquatic science, best

student oral presentation and best freshwater conservation poster, all in freshwater science, as well as

honourable mention as runner-up in the best student oral presentation for NZMSS.

Over 500 delegates provided a full conference programme as well as a rousing evening at the conference

dinner. In line with the theme of ‘The Life Aquatic’, guests were invited to come in fancy dress related to this

theme. Once again, MERG came through with their combined efforts as a swarm of jellyfish. They beat out

other notable groups such as the runner-up Rena brigade, who came in complete with commodore, a

captain in shackles, a sinking vessel and clean-up crew. The marine ecology group gave 16 oral

presentations at the conference. Well done Jess and Mergies!

Marine Ecology Research Group swarm of prize-winning jellyfish at the joint conference of the NZ Marine

Sciences Society, NZ Freshwater Sciences Society and Australia Society of Fisheries Biology in Hamilton.

Note also the Canterbury Mudfish (aka Michelle Greenwood) at left, also a prize recipient.

The 2013 Canterbury-Westland Schools’ Science and Technology Fair

This year's event was held at the Addington Raceway on Sunday Morning, the 25th of August. The judges all

met at 8:30am for a brief discussion.

My entire drive there was spend frantically hunting for an open café - there were none! This reinforced why

sane people don't leave the house at that sort of hour. In desperation a petrol station was located, V

purchased, a second V and/or an espresso were considered but abandoned for the sake of time.

At the judges meeting there was a great turnout from members of the School. Paul Broady and Anna

Zakharova selected the two recipients of "Excellence in Biology" Awards, Dave Kelly led the judges for the

Year 7 Science Awards and myself, Paul Gardner with Tony Mander, selected the four recipients of the

"Excellence in Experimental Design, Approach & Interpretation". The School really should have some sort of

uniform for these sorts of events -- perhaps with a cape attached.

While Tony hunted for his reading glasses I took the opportunity to check out the senior exhibits. Some of

the technology exhibits were remarkable. One student had used Lego and a laptop to build a robot that could

solve the Rubik's Cube (I can't solve this the old-fashioned way!), another had written a software package in

Haskall! -- (a potential recruit for Bioinformatics?), another student had considered whether structures based

on the Fibonacci Sequence provided any advantages for the integrity of the structures. I was also impressed

to see a student had used DNA sequencing to identify which fish she had bought (a possible recruit for the

DNA-Surveillance crew?).

The exhibits selected by Paul and Anna, in no particular order were: An exhibit by Heather Neill, Lincoln

High School, Year 11. She investigated whether water cress harvested from ditches and drainage channels

on Canterbury Plains could be a source of food poisoning due to contamination with E. coli. Yes, it could!

They also selected the exhibit by Conway Morris Jones, Kirkwood Intermediate, Year 8. He compared

the growth rates of chickens fed processed and "natural" foods. The processed food won out big time.

Dave Kelly headed a team of 15 judges looking over the 88 entries in Year 7 Science. The first prize in this

category went to Megan Miles from Merrin School who tested light bulb efficiency; second prize to Leah

Albrow (daugher of Michael Albrow and Karen Pollard in Physics) from Cobham who tested ways to

purify drinking water; and third to Pete O'Connor of Cobham who tested wind turbine propellor shapes.

In Year 8 Science Dave's son Liam came third with a study of ways to save electricity at home (see photo).

First went to Fleur Neill of Weedons School for a possum detector, and second to Conway Morris-

Jones for the chicken food project that Paul and Anna gave a prize to above.

The exhibits selected by Tony and I for the Canterbury RSNZ Awards also had a strong Biology theme.

Particularly Ashley Walsh, Year 8, Russley Primary School: “Predator Prey”, she compared the responses

of

18 cats' to six bird-calls, three naturalised to NZ (blackbird, magpie, sparrow) and three rare in NZ

(kookaburra, flamingo, peacock). She found NZ cats reacted strongly to the naturalised bird-calls using a

series of well-controlled experiments. We also selected exhibits by Diana Sosnovskaya, Year 8, Weedons

Primary School: “Audio versus visual”; Penny Howes, Year 8, Chisnallwood Intermediate: “Interpreting

facial expressions”; Sophie Ballard, Year 8, Our Lady of Assumption School: “Battle of the sexes!

Learning styles”. Which you can read more about in the next Canterbury RSNZ's newsletter -- with colour

photos!

In summary, the judges really enjoyed the atmosphere of the science fair; It was great to see such a variety

of projects and interact with so many enthusiastic and creative students. We highly recommend others get

involved if they have an opportunity.

~ Paul Gardner ~


Rathishri Chandurvelan (PhD): Investigation of biomarkers of stress in New Zealand bivalves (research

proposal title).

Liz Deakin (PhD): Spill-over effects of agricultural resource subsidies on multi-trophic interactions in

adjacent forest fragments (research proposal title).

Andrew Guy (MSc): Analysis of high nitrogen fertilisers on Pinus Radiata D. Dons seed germination

and de-rooted explant growth (research proposal title).

Robert McGee (MSc): Mapping of parthenogenesis genes in a Hieracium polyhaploid population

(research proposal title).

Emily Tighe (MSc): Non-vocal communication in captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) (research

proposal title).

Tarryn Wyman (PhD): Seed dispersal with the wreakage of an avifauna (research proposal title).

Who wrote this?

“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

Issue 288: Rutherford

Issue 287: Catcher in the Rye


Lots of contributions this week...

Longboarding adventure

Got a security issue?

(it could apply to NZ one day!)

Lydia Ko wins makes it a double

Now onto the America's Cup...

Peacock spider

(very adorable)

Paper is not dead

Beetle wearing knitted robe

Thought for the Week Decoding the Dream - 50 years on

No290, 2 September 2013 [This issue was accidently deleted]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4qwjeJBk0s&feature=inp-em-w82-25

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news289_security.jpg

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/9086996/Lydia-Ko-wins-Canadian-Open

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/9086640/Team-New-Zealand-secure-Louis-Vuitton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgAbyYDFeg

http://www.youtube.com/embed/V_gOZDWQj3Q?rel=0

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/photos/9086402/Most-beautiful-Beetle-wears-knitted-robe

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/decoding-the-dream/article13937687/

Newsletter 291 Tuesday 10 September 2013

Building Update

1. The next big move is almost upon us. On Friday we gained MPI approval for level 3 of SBS1 to be used as a PC2 lab. This week sees Hawkins put some finishing touches to the area, and then hand it over to the University. We move level 5 down to level 3 starting on 16th September.

2. There are some major problems on campus with sewerage and stormwater drainage, which is why we suddenly acquired a giant portaloo in the Biology carpark. These pipes are being cleaned out, and it is our turn sometime this week. The process will involve putting Gladwrap over the toilets on level 1 (just in case) and blasting the pipes with high pressure water. This work will start at 4am on the day (yet to be decided) and hopefully will finish by 7am and most people will never know it has happened.

3. Level 2 has a new water feature just outside my room. The problem is a pinhole leak in a copper pipe in the cooling system serving room 225. Bit of a worry that a one-year old pipe has already worn out.

Health and Safety

The School scored 100% in a recent external audit of our Health and Safety procedures. Many thanks to

Nicole and Craig for their help with achieving this goal.

Floor Wardens and H & S Representatives

With some recent changes to the technical staff we need to rethink our floor warden register. More on this

soon. People should be aware that the University has an election system for H & S Reps and this has just

taken place. Biology reps are David Leung and Craig Galilee.


Godsoe, W. (2013). Inferring the similarity of species distributions using Species' Distribution Models.

Ecography 36: Early View 1-7.

Holdaway, R.N., Williams, M. and Hawke, D.J. (2013). A comparison of the pre-human and present isotopic

niches of brown teal (Anas chlorotis): implications for conservation. Notornis 60(3): 233-244.

Kingsley, R.A., Kay, S., Connor, T., Barquist, L., Sait, L., Holt, K.E., Sivaraman, K., Wileman, T., Goulding,

D., Clare, S., Hale, C., Seshasayee, A., Harris, S., Thomson, N.R., Gardner, P.P., Rabsch, W., Wigley, P.,

Humphrey, T., Parkhill, J. and Dougan, G. (2013). Genome and transcriptome adaptation accompanying

emergence of the definitive Type 2 host-restricted Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium pathovar.

American Society for Microbiology 4(5): e00565-00513.

Ng, T.F.F., Alavandi, S., Varsani, A., Burghart, S. and Breitbart, M.. (2013). Metagenomic identification of a

nodavirus and a circular ssDNA virus in semi-purified viral nucleic acids from the hepatopancreas of

healthy Farfantepenaeus duorarum shrimp. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 105: 237-242.

North, R.A., Kessans, S.A., Suzuki, H., Watson, A.J.A., Burgess, B.R., Angley, L.M., Hudson,

A.O., Varsani, A., Griffin, M.D.W., Fairbanks, A.J. and Dobson, R.C.J. (2013). Cloning, expression,

purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of N-acetylneuraminate lyase from

methicillin-resistant Staophylococcus aureus. Acta Crystallographica F69: 306-312.

PhD oral defence completed

Tarryn Wyman had her oral defence on Monday 9 September. Her thesis title is 'Consequences of reduced

bird densities for seed dispersal'. Her senior supervisor is Professor Dave Kelly. Congratulations Tarryn!

Pictured: Professor David Schiel (Oral Chair), Tarryn, Dr Bill Lee (External Examiner) and Professor Dave

Kelly (Senior Supervisor)

In the spotlight

The University Council has chosen to award two Research Medals this year – these are for outstanding

research contributions in very contrasting areas of endeavour.

2013 University of Canterbury Research Medals are being awarded to Professor Dave Kelly in recognition

of his world leading research in plant ecology and plant-animal interactions, and to Professor Angus

MacFarlane in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Maori research and education.

The Research Medals will be formally presented at a Council-hosted function in November.

Special congratulations to Dave!!

Who wrote this?

You better not never tell nobody but God.

No-one guessed the last two....

Issue 290: When I finally caught up with Abraham Trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog

named Fireball Roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of Sonoma, California, drinking the heart right out

of a fine spring afternoon. - The Last Good Kiss, James Crumley

Issue 289: “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” - A.A. Milne


Fruit of the month club

Paget wins Burghley Horse Trials

How to make sherbert

(go on, you know you want to!)

Fiftieth anniversary of the day the Earth moved


Tears are words the heart can’t express.

- Unknown

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news291-fruit-bowl.pdf

http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Paget-wins-Burghley-Horse-Trials/tabid/415/articleID/312391/Default.aspx

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Sherbet

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24163#.Ui1WZNJHJ8E

Newsletter 292 Monday 23 September 2013


Heinemann, J.A. (2013). Genetic engineering and biotechnology for food security and for climate change

mitigration and adaptation: Potential and risks. Trade and Environment Review: Wake up before it is too late:

Make agriculture truly sustainable now for food security in a changing climate, United Nations Conference on

Trade and Development (UNCTAD): 203-218.

Pelser, P.B., Nickrent, D.L., Callado, J.R.C. and Barcelona, J.F. (2013). Mt. Banahaw reveals: The

resurrection and neotypification of the name Rafflesia lagascae (Rafflesiaceae) and clues to the dispersal

of Rafflesia seeds. Phytotaxa 131(1): 35-40.

Revanna, R., Turnbull, M.H., Shaw, M.L., Wright, K.M., Butler, R.C., Jameson, P.E. and McCallum, J.A..

(2013). Measurement of the distribution of non-structural carbohydrate composition in onion populations by a

high-throughput microplate enzymatic assay. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 93: 2470-2477.

Sutherland, D.L., Howard-Williams, C., Turnbull, M.H., Broady, P.A. and Craggs, R.J. (2013). Seasonal

variation in light utilisation, biomass production and nutrient removal by wastewater microalgae in a full-scale

high-rate algal pond. Journal of Applied Phycology 25(5): doi:10.1007/s10811-10013-10142-10810.

Tait, L.W. and Schiel, D.R. (2013). Impacts of temperature on primary productivity and respiration in

naturally structured macroalgal assemblages. PLoS ONE 8(9): e74413.

Trautwein-Schult, A., Jankowska, D., Cordes, A., Hoferichter, P., Klein, C., Matros, A., Mock, H.-

P., Baronian, K., Bode, R. and Kunze, G. (2013). Arxula adeninivorans recombinant urate oxidase and its

application in the production of food with low uric acid content. Journal of Molecular Microbiology and

Biotechnology 23(6): 418-430.

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Heinemann,%20J.%20A.%20(2013).%20Genetic%20engineering%20and%20biotechnology%20for%20food%20security%20and%20for%20climate%20change%20mitigration%20and%20adaptation:%20Potential%20and%20risks.%20Trade%20and%20Environment%20Review:%20Wake%20up%20before%20it%20is%20too%20late:%20Make%20agriculture%20truly%20sustainable%20now%20for%20food%20security%20in%20a%20changing%20climate,%20United%20Nations%20Conference%20on%20Trade%20and%20Development%20(UNCTAD):%20203-218.

http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2013/f/p00131p040f.pdf

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.6062/abstract


http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0074413&representation=PDF

http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/353847


Rathishri (Rathi) Chandurvelan, completed her oral defence on Friday 20th September. Her thesis topic is

'Investigation of biomarkers of stress in New Zealand bivalves'. Rathi undertook her PhD in Environmental

Science with Dr Chris Glover. Congratulations Rathi!

Pictured: Professor Bill Davison (Oral Chair), Dr Chris Glover, Rathi, Dr Louis Tremblay (External Examiner,

Cawthorn Institute)

In the spotlight

Sanford School Fair

Nothing was going to stop Jack and me from wreaking judgement on small scientists. We dodged fallen

trees and power lines as we headed to Timaru, stopping only for triple shot coffees and arrived in time to

judge the Year 7 teams’ event. We were unclear whether the children entered the teams’ event because they

were incapable of doing science alone, had better social skills or merely anticipated that collaborations are

the way of the future, but we experienced a full range of projects. From blinged out safety vests for cyclists

to what we suspected was an excuse to play SegaMegaTron uninterrupted for hours, we scrutinised the

projects with rigour. We were plied with coffee and sweets before interrogating the small scientists. Some

went toe-to-toe with a (merciful and admittedly quite short) Jack; others were clearly the silent partner in the

science project consortium. Our efficiency was such that we ran out of questions before the second round of

finalist interviews. Never mind. More coffee was provided and we soon decided upon Machiavellian-

flavoured finals round in which we made the small scientists visit each other’s projects and critique them to

us. Our finalists were all excellent and we gave them all medals. Just one gold: to a team whose write-up

had let them down, but had done a thorough planning phase and pre-experiment experiments, and

intelligently critiqued the other projects. Appropriately, it was the blinged safety vests. We had fun; the

children enjoyed the challenge; the near-life size hovercraft elsewhere in the hall did not explode – science

for the win. - Olivia Burge

Who wrote this?

It began in a woman's club in London on a February afternoon–an uncomfortable club, and a miserable

afternoon–when Mrs. Wilkins, who had come down from Hampstead to shop and had lunched at her club,

took up The Times from the table in the smoking-room, and running her listless eye down the Agony Column

saw this:

To Those who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine. Small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be Let Furnished for the month of April. Necessary servants remain. Z, Box 1000, The Times.

Issue 291: You better not never tell nobody but God. - The Color Purple, Alice Walker - guessed by Tracey

Robinson!


For those of you who require bigger labs

New Alien Life Claim Far from Convincing, Scientists Say

Next race...


We, whoever we are, must have a daily goal in our lives, no matter how small or great, to make that day

mean something. -Maxwell Maltz

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news292-lab.pdf

http://www.livescience.com/39823-alien-life-claim-space-microbes.html

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201339/cartoon.jpg

Newsletter 293 Tuesday 1 October 2013


Bodhipadma, K., Noichinda, S., Maneeruang, T., Nathalang, K., Punnakanta, L. and Leung, D.W.M. (2013).

Effect of paclobutrazol on three different aquatic macrophytes under in vitro monoculture or polyculture

conditions. African Journal of Biotechnology 12(39): 5809-5813.

Hogsden, K.L. and Harding, J.S. (2013). Isotopic metrics as a tool for assessing the effects of mine

pollution on stream food webs. Ecological Indicators 36: 339-347.

Jellyman, P.G., Booker, D.J. and McIntosh, A.R. (2013). Quantifying the direct and indirect effects of flow-

related disturbance on stream fish assemblages. Freshwater Biology doi:1111/fwb.12238.

Klemmer, A.J. and Richardson, J.S. (2013). Quantitative gradient of subsidies reveals a threshold in

community-level trophic cascades."Ecology 94: 1920-1926.

Murphy, J.M., Czabotar, P.E., Hildebrand, J.M., Lucet, I.S., Zhang, J.-G., Alvarez-Diaz, S., Lewis, R.,

Lalaoui, N., Metcalf, D., Webb, A.I., Young, S.N., Varghese, L.N., Tannahill, G.M., Hatchell, E.C., Majewski,

I.J., Okamoto, T., Dobson, R.C.J., Hilton, D.J., Babon, J.J., Nicola, N.A., Strasser, A., Silke, J. and

Alexander, W.S. (2013). The Pseudokinase MLKL mediates necroptosis via a molecular switch mechanism.

Immunity 39(3): 443-453.

Thureborn, P., Lundin, D., Plathan, J., Poole, A.M., Sjöberg, B.M. and Sjöling, S. (2013). A metagenomics

transect into the deepest point of the Baltic Sea reveals clear stratification of microbial functional capacities.

PLoS ONE 8(9): e74983.

This is Mads first publication at UC - congratulations!

Wernberg, T., Thomsen, M.S. and Kotta, J. (2013). Complex plant-herbivore-predator interactions in a

brackish water seaweed habitat. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 449: 51-56.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X13003026

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fwb.12238/pdf

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/12-1444.1


http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0074983;jsessionid=99216E645AA1140195EFD07458CD2AF2



Faradina Merican, completed her oral defence on Tuesday 24th September. The title of her thesis is 'A

taxonomic and ecological study of periphytic cyanobacteria in Kaituna River and its tributaries, Banks

Peninsula, New Zealand'. The oral was done by video link. Faradina undertook her PhD in Environmental

Science with Dr Paul Broady. Congratulations Faradina!

Pictured: Faradina with her family

Pictured: Dr Paul Broady (Senior Supervisor) giving the thumbs up for a successful defence and Dr Susie

Wood (Oral Examiner, from Cawthron Institute, Nelson)

In the spotlight

Katoa Metagenomics day 28th September 2013

On Saturday 28th, the Biomolecular Interaction Centre and the School of Biological Sciences ran an all day

workshop introducing high school students and their teachers from around Canterbury to the exciting new

field of metagenomics. This was part of the Katoa NZ initiative (www.katoa.ac.nz), and workshops were also

run at Massey Albany, Otago and Auckland.

Students hard at work extracting DNA!

We had 40 super-engaged students and teachers from Christchurch Girls’ High School, Rangi Ruru Girls’

School, Villa Maria College, St Margaret’s College, Lincoln High School and the Southern Regional Health

School.

http://www.katoa.ac.nz/

Brigitta and students loading their PCR products onto a gel

The students extracted DNA directly from soil samples, which included backyards, school fields, round the

back of the Foundry and our Atrium garden. It was an early start (8.30am!), with a full-on day of DNA

extractions, PCR reactions, pouring and loading gels, computational analysis of metagenome sequence

data, lectures and methods demonstrations from our crack team of PhD students, postdocs and lecturers.

Wet lab demonstrators: Karen, Alicia, Ant, Brigitta, Stinus (Marta is behind the camera)

Left: Stinus & Marta taking a well-earned coffee break! *********************Right: Paul (who ran the computer

lab), demonstrating one-handed multitasking

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a success:

Claire Galilee & Linda Morris for lab logistics and set-up!

Susie Meade for ensuring the caterers brought us lunch!

BIC and Biology for sponsoring lunch.

Karen Adair, Marta Gallart, Paul Gardner, Brigitta Kurenbach, Alicia Lai & Stinus Lindgreen for

demonstrating the labs, giving lectures and running a really successful outreach activity!

Ant

PS Thanks also to John Pirker for letting his other half frolic in the DNA while he stayed at home and looked

after the kids!

Top researchers awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowships

Ten of New Zealand’s top early to mid-career researchers have been awarded Rutherford Discovery

Fellowships in 2013, Science and Innovation.

The Fellowships are designed to develop and foster future leaders in the New Zealand science sector. They

are funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and administered by the Royal Society

of New Zealand.

The Rutherford Discovery Fellowships are open to researchers within three to eight years of having

completed their PhD. The scheme was established in 2010 and now supports 40 fellows. Their research

covers a vast range of topics from language studies to Antarctic research to the search for extra-solar

Planets. By 2014, there are expected to be 50 fellows under the scheme.

The 2013 Rutherford Discovery Fellowship recipients are:

o Dr Brendon Bradley, University of Canterbury, for research entitled: “Earth-shattering detective work: Uncovering the mysteries of unresolved ground motion and geotechnical case-histories from the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes.”

o Dr Dillon Mayhew, Victoria University of Wellington, for research entitled: “The mathematics of space and language: matroids and model theory.”

o Dr Robert McKay, Victoria University of Wellington, for research entitled: “Antarctic Ice Sheet-Southern Ocean interactions during greenhouse worlds of the past 23 million years - and consequences for New Zealand climate.”

o Dr Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, University of Cardiff (will be returning to The University of Auckland), for research entitled: “High-frequency brain activity in health and disease.”

o Dr Suetonia Palmer, University of Otago, Christchurch, for research entitled: “Improving evidence for decision-makers in chronic kidney disease.”

o Dr Craig Radford, The University of Auckland, for research entitled: “Using passive acoustics to monitor ecosystem health.”

o Dr Jonathan Sperry, The University of Auckland, for research entitled: “Inert C-H bonds: A gateway to molecular complexity.”

o Dr Elizabeth Stanley, Victoria University of Wellington, for research entitled: “What Happened to Human Rights? Exploring the Changing Status of Human Rights in New Zealand.”

o Dr Daniel Stouffer, University of Canterbury, for research entitled: “Toward a general theory of evolution in ecological networks.”

o Dr Angela Wanhalla, University of Otago, Christchurch, for research entitled: “Marriage: The Politics of Private Life in New Zealand.”

Profile of the week

New to the newsletter is this edition on profiling our staff/students here in the School. Having had

conversations with several personnel, a lot of us just don't know who everyone is or rather what or where we

do it. This excerpt will give others a chance to highlight who they are, what they do and where they do it.

So, who wants to be first!?

Who wrote this?

Ullman stood five-five, and when he moved, it was with the prissy speed that seems to be the exclusive

domain of all small plump men. The part in his hair was exact, and his dark suit was sober but comforting. I

am a man you can bring your problems to, that suit said to the paying customer. To the hired help it spoke

more curtly: This had better be good, you. There was a red carnation in the lapel, perhaps so that no one on

the street would mistake Stuart Ullman for the local undertaker.

Issue 292: It began in a woman's club in London on a February afternoon–an uncomfortable club, and a

miserable afternoon–when Mrs. Wilkins, who had come down from Hampstead to shop and had lunched at

her club, took up The Times from the table in the smoking-room, and running her listless eye down the

Agony Column saw this:

To Those who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine. Small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be Let Furnished for the month of April. Necessary servants remain. Z, Box 1000, The Times.

The Enchanted April, by Elizabeth von arnim - Bill Davison picked this out.

Review of the week

Starting up this week is a new piece to the newsletter. Hopefully you will share your views/opinions/ on

something you ate/heard/watched/touched or smelt. You could review the latest scientific publication you

read....or better still share the amazing art you viewed whilst overseas.

Restaurant Review

Our Maharaja visit the other week was a divine dining experience. We had to book in advance which is given

these days. The Maharaja occupies a beautiful restored villa in Papanui High Street. All seven guests chose

something different for their mains and we shared various entrees including tasty vegetarian options.

Although their naan breads were smaller than the usual, they were amazing. I had a stuffed bread with onion

and potato. Highly recommend. Ask if they have goat again this weekend! Reviews

~ Penny ~


After being scooped up by a Wraith Dart, Dr. Rodney McKay is rescued, but there isn't enough power to

recover Lt. Laura Cadman. Soon, McKay realises that Cadman's consciousness is inside of him, and the two

have a hard time in co-existing.

Can conscious/being be separated from the brain?


Academic diary: (random academic that is)

o NIne lecturing days left till the end of the year. o Mark those assignments o Pat the dog. o Feed the dog. o Mark those assignments.

Student diary (random student that is)

o Nine lecturing days left till the end of the year. o Wait for assignments to be marked. o Organise end of year lecturing party. o Swat for end of year exams o Feed the goldfish. o Wait for assignments to be marked.

http://maharajarestaurant.co.nz/

http://www.dineout.co.nz/restaurant.php?rest=11893

http://www.ted.com/conversations/7342/can_conscious_being_be_separat.html



Jankowska, D.A., Faulwasser, K., Trautwein-Schult, A., Cordes, A., Hoferichter, P., Klein, C., Bode,

R., Baronian, K. and Kunze, G. (2013). Arxula adeninivorans recombinant adenine deaminase and its

application in the production of food with low purine content. Journal of Applied

Microbiology. doi:10.1111/jam.12317

Peckarsky, B.L., McIntosh, A.R., Álvarez, M. and Moslemi, J.M. (2013). Nutrient limitation controls the

strength of behavioral trophic cascades in high elevation streams. Ecosphere 4(9): Article 110.

Weber, B.W., Kimani, S.W., Varsani, A., Cowan, D.A., Hunter, R., Venter, G.A., Gumbart, J.C. and Sewell,

B.T. (2013). The Mechanism of the Amidases: Mutating the glutamate adjacent to the catalytic triad

inactivates the enzyme due to substrate mispositioning. Journal of Biological Chemistry 288(40): 28514-

28523.

In the spotlight

Tarantulas finally home at Canterbury Museum

Four tarantula spiders have made Canterbury Museum their new home again. The tarantulas have been in

quarantine at the University of Canterbury since the September 2010 earthquake and were cleared for re-

homing in the Museum’s Discovery Centre last Wednesday..

Curator Natural History at the Museum and spider expert, Cor Vink, is delighted to have the gentle giants

back at the Museum after such a long period of time.

The spider’s revamped enclosure has been designed to provide the eight-legged beauties with optimum

safety and security amid an environment that is the closest interpretation of their natural habitats in Mexico

and South America. Tarantulas (the spider family Theraphosidae) are found in warmer parts of the world and

do not occur in New Zealand; however, New Zealand certainly has plenty of other interesting spiders. There

are approximately 2000 spider species found in New Zealand, with 97 percent of them found nowhere else in

the world and only just over half of them have been named.

The tarantula species at the Museum include a Mexican Redknee, Stripeleg, Peruvian pinktoe and Chilean

Rose, and will no doubt be a popular attraction for children of all ages.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jam.12317/pdf

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/ES13.00084.1

http://www.jbc.org/content/288/40/28514.full.pdf+html

http://www.jbc.org/content/288/40/28514.full.pdf+html

Profile of the week

Nicki Judson

Administrative Assistant

Room 219, level 2, Biology2

If you're an undergrad student you would most likely see me sitting in the school office and returning your

assignments back. For the majority of you collecting your assignments it is a nervous time, anxiously waiting

to see if that B will turn into A or amazed that you did better than you thought. It is great to hear woops of joy

when that happens!

Back in the day I would tackle Colin Burrows' tables on Quail Island with joy on the typewriter. I loved

spacing out his complex tables because they were challenging and looked impressive when done.

Nowadays tables are completed with a flick of an eye on a computer with merging cells and columns that

space out as you type, what is the fun in that...

Having seen hundreds of postgrad students pass through it is always delighful to hear what they are up to

once they graduate and actually get to know them as individuals. An eventful 1998 trip to Wellington to watch

a rugby game was a special highlight. A motely crew of three staff/three postgrads set forth to stay with some

crazy B & B owner who "hated rugby". We donned our crocheted beer hats and moved with the rest of crowd

towards Athletic Park - the Boks beat the AB's unfortunately on this occasion... Oddly enough it was at

another rugby match we encouraged to get a "new" academic to go to a game, wear face paint and sing his

nation anthem on a packed Embankment. He lives still.

On a personal note I live 45 km north of the city at Leithfield Beach. The Pukeko Junction Cafe is a great

place to stop if you are heading onwards to Kaikoura. In my spare time I do not climb mountains, run

marathons or go base jumping, but quilt. I have a garden, but this is used as a speedway for two cats and I

do not grow broad beans in it. My folks had a farm at Belfield, near Geraldine and my sister is a footy fan like

me.

NB: Profile of the week can be staff or student.

Who wrote this?

For a moment or two I sat breathless, hardly able to believe my ears. Then my senses and my voice came

back to me, while a crushing weight of responsibility seemed in an instant to be lifted from my soul. That

cold, incisive, ironical voice could belong to but one man in all the world.

Issue 293: Ullman stood five-five, and when he moved, it was with the prissy speed that seems to be the

exclusive domain of all small plump men. The part in his hair was exact, and his dark suit was sober but

comforting. I am a man you can bring your problems to, that suit said to the paying customer. To the hired

http://www.quailisland.org.nz/

http://www.pukekojunction.co.nz/

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news294-loadingsheep.jpg

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news294-Sister.JPG

help it spoke more curtly: This had better be good, you. There was a red carnation in the lapel, perhaps so

that no one on the street would mistake Stuart Ullman for the local undertaker.

Answer: No one guessed this one - it was The Shining by Stephen King.

Review of the week

Share your views/opinions/ on something you ate/heard/watched/touched or smelt. You could review the

latest scientific publication you read....or better still share the amazing art you viewed whilst overseas.


Everyday slow motion - First taste

Jupiter-bound NASA spacecraft will swing by earth Wednesday

Can you really outrun an explosion?

Haven't had a fluffy kitten for awhile, get ready to say awwwww...


Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. -Napoleon Hill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PVVT9V2CM0

http://www.space.com/23100-juno-spacecraft-earth-flyby-wednesday.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/outrun-explosion.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bmhjf0rKe8

Newsletter 295 Monday 14 October 2013

Now that I’m back from a holiday on Moso Island, Vanuatu, I though it time to re-start the weekly HoS’

comments. So, since I’ve been away for the last 10 days I thought I should report on our holiday at the most

appropriately named Tranquillity Island Resort. It is also a Dive Base, but seeing as we don’t dive I left that

bit of the name off, and an eco-resort, so power was intermittent, as were a few other things like water to the

fare. A great location because, if it is windy on the side the well- camouflaged fares are located, it is usually

calm on the ‘other’ side. So on Day 1 we set off for Fred’s Beach – a half hour walk to the north along track

and beach and then another half hour on a track up over the escarpment [we were pleased to note near our

fare was a tsunami track cut directly up the escarpment] and down to the beach where we snorkelled. Most

days we walked to coves to snorkel, a ‘short cut’ to Fred’s beach one day took well over two hours (but we

did find an old coke bottle made in San Francisco) and on our wedding anniversary we were dropped off at

Starfish Beach with tent (already erected) plus hampers with quantities of food and beverages of all kinds

and written instructions on how to light a fire amongst other things. No track to this beach – sea access only.

It did feel remote and just before dusk even remoter when we saw a triangular black and white fin cutting

through the water where we had been snorkelling. Never having seen a shark in the wild before we felt

somewhat intimidated. Still next morning we went for another snorkel just before the wind got up – and by

the time we were picked up the sea was quite rough - and as it turned out even rougher on the fare side – so

no final swim but time to sponsor the release of a Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), an ID on

that (harmless) reef shark and pack.

Many thanks to Bill, Lyn and the team for looking after everything in my absence. Can I encourage everyone

to attend the ABC on Thursday.

~ Paula ~


Sikorski, A., Massaro, M., Kraberger, S., Young, L.M., Smalley, D., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2013).

Novel myco-like DNA viruses discovered in the faecal matter of various animals. Virus Research 177: 209-

216.

In the spotlight

Alyssa Cirtwill (PhD candidate), was recently selected as one of 20 students to attend the Santa Fe

Intitute's 2013 Chile Complex Systems Summer School. Participation is a competitively-determined process

and includes support for travel and accommodation during the 10 day course. Alyssa's senior supervisor is

Dr Daniel B. Stouffer (Rutherford Discovery Fellow 2013-2018).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGIkcKhsZF0



http://tuvalu.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Chile_Complex_Systems_Summer_School_2013-Participants

http://www.santafe.edu/education/schools/complex-systems-summer-school-chile/

CSSS-Chile is an intensive 11-day exploration of biocomplexity and the complex behavior in the environment

and social sciences. This school is intended for graduate and postdoctoral fellows. Topics include social

dynamics, scaling and network theory, ecology and nonlinear dynamics among others.

Jack Heinemann, spotted in 'The Hindu' with his article, Keep the pause button on GM pressed, published 7

September.

Who wrote this?

April 24th. -- Like the navigators of old when approaching an unknown land, we examined and watched for

the most trivial sign of a change. The drifted trunk of a tree, or a boulder of primitive rock, was hailed with joy,

as if we had seen a forest growing on the flanks of the Cordillera. The top, however, of a heavy bank of

clouds, which remained almost constantly in one position, was the most promising sign, and eventually

turned out a true harbinger. At first the clouds were mistaken for the mountains themselves, instead of the

masses of vapour condensed by their icy summits.

Issue 294: For a moment or two I sat breathless, hardly able to believe my ears. Then my senses and my

voice came back to me, while a crushing weight of responsibility seemed in an instant to be lifted from my

soul. That cold, incisive, ironical voice could belong to but one man in all the world.

Answer: The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arthur Conan Doyle

Guessed by Brigitta Kurenbach

Review of the week

The Last Word – Christchurch’s own Whiskey and Cocktail bar

While perambulating the city streets on a warm summer’s day early this year, we stumbled upon this jewel in

one of the ‘flashiest’ streets of Christchurch. Located on New Regent St., The Last Word is a fantastic, quaint

little bar offering exceptional service with their splendid and vast selection of liquors and cocktails (or even

mocktails). The bar is named after a cocktail which they do serve, and is incidentally quite delicious.

Their seating is quite limited, with only about 7-8 tables upstairs and a little room by the bar downstairs. I

guess due to their small capacity, it makes it easier for the staff to devote their full attention to patrons and

offer their excellent advice to help you select the best whiskey (or whisky) and cocktails.

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/keep-the-pause-button-on-gm-pressed/article5101446.ece

My personal favourites herald from the Highland region of Scotland, as I prefer the darker, peaty tastes,

usually late at night, since The Last Word is open till around 1.30am most weekend nights.

I’d highly recommend giving this bar a try, especially if you’re into ‘fine’ drinking.

Cheers,

Anish


Loud Shirt day participants, 19 September, which supported The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear

Impact Programme

Living Relatives Of 5,300-Year Old-Mummy Located In Austria

Why are fishermen superstitious of bananas?

In case you haven't heard...

(one for Raj!)


Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. -Thomas Jefferson

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news295-loudshirt.pdf

http://www.hearinghouse.co.nz/

http://www.scip.co.nz/

http://www.scip.co.nz/

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112973589/otzi-the-iceman-living-relatives-genealogical-descendants-101313/

http://people.howstuffworks.com/fishing-superstition.htm

http://www.npr.org/2013/10/12/232617515/bigger-than-michael-jordan-indias-cricket-god-retires


Congratulations to everyone who had input into a most successful ABC. Again a big thank you to our

sponsors.

~ Paula ~


Congratulations to Anna on her first publication before submission and being first author, well done!

Zakharova, A., Midwood, A.J., Hunt, J.E., Graham, S.L., Artz, R.R.E., Turnbull, M.H., Whitehead, D. and

Millard, P. (2013). Loss of labile carbon following soil disturbance determined by measurement of respired

∂13CO2. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 68: 125-132.

Annual Biology Conference

This year's ABC was held on 17th October. The conference was a showcase for our PhD, MSc and BSc

Hons postgraduates. High School students were also invited to attend. We would like to congratulate the

following on their outstanding achievements.

Powerhouse prize for Innovation: Anton Mather

Research committee prizes

Best paper by a MSc student: Laurel Julian

Best paper by a PhD student: Jeremy Keown

Best overall publication output: Rathi Chandurvelan

Overall presentations

PhD

1st: Yinnon Dolev (sponsored by John Morris Scientific)

Spiders respond to stick figure representations of prey

2nd: Amy Yewdall

Manipulating the quaternary structure of peroxiredoxin

3rd: Nicholas Baker

A meso-scale approach to understanding nestedness and modularity of ecological networks

MSc

1st: Ashleigh Watts

A characterisation of biofouling patterns and genetic connectivity in Pelorus Sound, New Zealand

2nd: Ronan Broad


The molecular and biochemical characterization of sloughy, an Arabidopsis thaliana cell separation mutant

3rd: Emma Dorsey

Investigation of a novel bifunctional diaminopimelate decarboxylase: aspartokinase of Xylella

fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa

Best BSc Hons talk: Emma Pukola

Radionuclides in fish of the South Pacific

Overall Best Oral presentation: Olivia Burge (sponsored by Lab Supply)

Native forest regeneration under Leptospermum scoparium in Awarua-Waituna wetland, Southland:

constraints, trajectories, and predictive ability

We give thanks to the following sponsors who provided the main and spot prizes and the morning/afternoon

teas. Also big thanks to Dave Conder for providing the plants for the conference venue and spot prizes.

And, just for the fun of it... view the flash mob, spot those sexy moves!

Brian Mason Trust funding round success in Biological Sciences

Jim Briskie University of Canterbury $15,775.00

New blood or bad blood? The long-term consequences of using inbred donors for the genetic rescue of

endangered New Zealand birds

Kevin Chase University of Canterbury $9,000.00

Distribution and spread of pine bark beetles across Canterbury

Angus McIntosh University of Canterbury $12,380.00

Climate and habitat mediation of mosquito population dynamics in Canterbury and Westland

Chris Glover University of Canterbury $19,725.00

Putting galaxiid fish in the mix: assessing sensitivity of inanga to emerging contaminants and their mixtures

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10102956667286988

In the spotlight

Farewell for Gavin Robinson

On the 11th October, the School of Biological

Sciences farewelled a respected general staff

member, Gavin Robinson.

Gavin started in the former Zoology Department in

March 1971. He began by helping Graeme Bull set

up the Stage I teaching labs, eventually becoming the

primary person for these labs.

An early job which displayed Gavin’s flair for design

and woodwork was to build a replica Inuit sled, which

was used for many years by student research groups

in Antarctica, capable of towing ½ ton of gear.

His design skills were also well utilised in the

graphics field, designing charts, plans and diagrams,

all by hand (before computer aids).

Gavin took over responsibility for the physiology

teaching and research labs from Bruce Lingard in

1992 and continued in this role till his retirement.

Notable achievements were the architectural design for the complete refurbishing of the original Aquarium

Room and the original physiology teaching lab. He was also the primary departmental designer of the new

Research building, followed by the refurbishment of the old Zoology building. These major projects involved

much liaison with external professional architects.

Coupled with all this, Gavin was the line manager of the specialist service technicians in Biological Sciences.

Footnote:

Gavin - 'Thank you very much to everyone for the really enjoyable morning tea to celebrate my retirement

and for all the very kind thoughts and generous gifts, which have all been much appreciated. It has been a

great privilige to work with you all over the years and I wish you all the very best in the years to come.'

UC research to help treat ovarian cancer

Kelsey Rao, BSc Hons, received a writeup on the Voxy website on her research on ovarian cancer. Her

senior supervisor is Ashley Garrill.

Who wrote this?

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall

be as wool.

Issue 295:April 24th. -- Like the navigators of old when approaching an unknown land, we examined and

watched for the most trivial sign of a change. The drifted trunk of a tree, or a boulder of primitive rock, was

hailed with joy, as if we had seen a forest growing on the flanks of the Cordillera. The top, however, of a

heavy bank of clouds, which remained almost constantly in one position, was the most promising sign, and

eventually turned out a true harbinger. At first the clouds were mistaken for the mountains themselves,

instead of the masses of vapour condensed by their icy summits.

Answer: The voyage of the Beagle by Charles (Chuck) Darwin

Guessed by Tracey Robinson/Bill Davison


Three rules to spark learning

New South Wales bush fires

(no doubt you will be able to donate through the Red Cross)

Mr Bean prepares for his exam


Life begins at the end of your comfortable zone.

http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/uc-research-help-treat-ovarian-cancer/5/170953

http://www.ted.com/talks/ramsey_musallam_3_rules_to_spark_learning.html

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/nsw-bushfires-firefighters-brace-for-wednesday-as-forecast-worsens-20131021-2vvje.html

http://www.redcross.org.au/disaster-relief-and-recovery.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM0XCvKNP0


Congratulations to Professor Robert Jackson and Dr Mads Thomsen on their being awarded Marsden

Grants. This is a great achievement as the competition gets tighter each year. Commiserations to those that

submitted second round proposals and were unsuccessful – to be invited to write a full proposal is still a

considerable achievement.

If many academics are looking a little stressed it is because many of us are involved both in developing bids

for Centres of Research Excellence and also developing the research questions within the National Science

Challenges – and both are running at the same time. And then of course we are also marking exams and

looking after our postgrads. Somehow some members of the public still seem to think once lectures finish

we’re off for the summer!

Our best wishes to Bill Davison for a speedy recovery!

~ Paula ~


Jellyman, P.G., Booker, D.J. and McIntosh, A.R. (2013). Quantifying the direct and indirect effects of flow-

related disturbance on stream fish assemblages. Freshwater Biology 58: 2614-2631. [now complete with

page numbers]

Marsden, I.D., Smith, B.D. and Rainbow, P.S. (2013). Effects of environmental and physiological variables

on the accumulated concentrations of trace metals in the New Zealand cockle Austrovenus stutchburyi.

Science of the Total Environment 470-471: 324-339.

Zhang, X.Y., Nie, Z.H., Wang, W.J., Leung, D.W.M., Xu, D.G., Chen, B.L., Chen, Z., Zeng, L.X. and Liu, E.E.

(2013). Relationship between disease resistance and rice oxalate oxidases in transgenic rice. PLoS ONE

8(10): e78348.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fwb.12238/abstract


http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0078348&representation=PDF

PhD oral completed

It is with great delight that I announce, Guadalupe (Lupe) Peralta, had her oral exam on Thursday 24

October! Her research was on the 'Effects of quantitative food web structure on functional resilience in the

edge between natural and production forests'. Her senior supervisor is Professor Jason Tylianakis. You will

be sorely missed Lupe. All the best for your future endeavours!

Pictured: Dr Sarina Macfadyen (Oral Examiner, CSIRO), Lupe, Professor Jason Tylianakis (Senior

Supervisor)

In the spotlight

Researcher seeing if seaweed can inspire a wet-resistant glue

Biological sciences Masters student Anton Mather is working under the supervision of Dr Simone Dimartino

and Professor Juliet Gerrard on investigating seaweed bio-adhesives that could benefit New Zealand’s Naval

and undersea construction industries.

Check out the full coverage at Voxy.

Who wrote this?

“I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever

had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life.

I will always be yours. ”

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/researcher-seeing-if-seaweed-can-inspire-wet-resistant-glue/5/171872

Issue 296: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.

Answer: Isaiah 1:18, from The Bible, by the big man himself, God

Guessed by Nicole Lauren-Manuera and Bill Davison


TED Talk: The fiction of memory

How to grow broad beans

(come back Manfred!!)

Video highlights of that wonderful win against Wellington

(take that Andrew!!)


Just a perfect day drink Sangria in the park And then later when it gets dark, we go home Just a perfect day feed animals in the zoo Then later a movie, too, and then home Oh, it's such a perfect day I'm glad I spend it with you Oh, such a perfect day You just keep me hanging on You just keep me hanging on Just a perfect day problems all left alone Weekenders on our own it's such fun Just a perfect day you made me forget myself I thought I was someone else, someone good Oh, it's such a perfect day I'm glad I spent it with you Oh, such a perfect day You just keep me hanging on You just keep me hanging on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB2OegI6wvI&list=PLOGi5-fAu8bGvC_YgGZne6dX9nd58aFVh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HjpvFiALB0

http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-LIVE-UPDATES-Wellington-Vs-Canterbury-ITM-Cup-Premiership-final-2013-Westpac-Stadium/tabid/415/articleID/318958/Default.aspx

Newsletter 298 Monday 4 November 2013


Hernández-Zepeda, C., Varsani, A. and Brown, J.K. (2013). Intergeneric recombination between a new,

spinach-infecting curtovirus and a new geminivirus belonging to the genus Becurtovirus: first New World

exemplar. Archives of Virology 158: 2245-2254.

Heskel, M.A., Bitterman, D., Atkin, O.K., Turnbull, M.H. and Griffin, K.L. (2013). Seasonality of foliar

respiration in two dominant plant species from the Arctic tundra: response to long-term warming and short-

term temperature variability. Functional Plant Biology http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/FP13137.

Stringer, T.J., Glover, C.N., Keesing, V., Northcott, G.L., Gaw, S. and Tremblay, L.A. (2013). Development

of acute and chronic sediment bioassays with the harpacticoid copepod Quinquelaophonte sp. Ecotoxicology

and Environmental Safety doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.10.002.

Welcome to the School

Catherine Febria is joining FERG as our latest Postdoctoral Fellow, from

the University of Maryland (USA). In Maryland, she worked with Margaret

Palmer on several syntheses related to ecosystem vs. ecosystem service

restoration in urban and agricultural streams and rivers. She also took

part in an empirical study of the source, transport and fate of dissolved

organic carbon and other nutrients within urbanizing stream networks. In

2010, she completed her PhD in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and

Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto (Canada) where she

studied the microbial and ecosystem ecology of hyporheic zones in the

lab of Dudley Williams. In 2005, she completed an MSc in

Limnology/Biogeochemistry from Simon Fraser University (Canada) where she studied biogeochemical

processes in Canadian arctic floodplain lakes with advisor Lance Lesack. As part of FERG, she is excited to

be a part of the Mackenzie Project, putting the recent syntheses on freshwater management into practice

through a series of multi-year trials on agriculturally-impacted waterways of Canterbury. Her husband Peter

and 2-year old daughter Emilia join her in New Zealand.


http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=FP13137


Who wrote this?

"I'm a fleabit peanut monkey, all my friends are junkies".

Issue 297: “I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream

I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day

of my life. I will always be yours. ”

Answer: Yes, this sickly mush came from 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks

Guessed by Tracey Robinson


Joseph O'Connor - Going Forward

(recommended by Keith Baronian)

Could you really dig a hole to China?

Top double dutch team competes

Baby duck can't stay awake in accounting class...


Marsden Fund figures: 109 projects were successful after 1,157 proposals were submitted (229 proposers

were asked to put in full proposals), for a 9.4% success rate. $67.8m (inc GST) was awarded to the projects,

up 24% on last year’s total due to a Budget increase. A full list of the projects is available.

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news298-Going-Forward.mp3

http://mentalfloss.com/article/27585/could-you-really-dig-hole-china

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdwTxMeTL8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGrpsZ7BsQA

http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/programmes/funds/marsden/awards/2013-awards/


PhD oral exam completed

Jen Cate, had her oral exam via Skype on 7 November here at UC whilst she was sitting in Alaska. Her

thesis title is 'The effects of tourism on the behaviour of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri).

Her senior supervisor is Professor Jim Briskie. Oral Chair was Associate Professor Islay Marsden.

Congratulations Jen!

Pictured: Jen, on screen in Alaska

Pictured: Professor Jim Briskie and Dr Laura Boren (Oral Examiner) relaxing at the defence lunch


Loeun, K.L., Goldstien, S.J. Gleeson, D., Nicol, S.J. and Bradshaw, C.J.A. (2014). Limited genetic structure

among broad-scale regions for two commercially harvested, tropical deep-water snappers in New Caledonia.

Fish Science doi.10.1007/s12562-013-0673-y.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12562-013-0673-y#page-1

Marsden, I.D. and Swinscoe, I. (2013). Does population structure and growth of an intertidal pulmonate snail

reflect environmental conditions within a small estuary? Hydrobiologia doi:10.1007/s10750-013-1740-3.

In the spotlight

Climate change cause for concern for NZ freshwater fish

Nixie Boddy, freshwater ecology postgraduate student, says air temperatures in New Zealand are predicted

to rise, by up to 7degC in the next century, with a corresponding increase in water temperatures.

Read the full write up on the Voxy. Note: The image really IS Nixie...!

Who wrote this?

Nobody knows when she started her skid, she was only 27 and she had five kids.

Issue 298: "I'm a fleabit peanut monkey, all my friends are junkies".

Answer: Richards & Jagger singing Monkey Man

Guessed: Anon.


Rugby legend Peter Fatialofa passes away

(aka Fats)

Bardsley seals Sunderland win over City

The joy of waiting for a train

(43 secs of joy!)

Don't know what to call your new dog?


Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity. -Louis Pasteur

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-013-1730-3#page-1

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/climate-change-cause-concern-nz-freshwater-fish/5/173423

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/legend-peter-fatialofa-dies-aged-54-5685920

http://au.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2012-2013/bardsley-seals-sunderland-won-over-city_sto3997694/story.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvpCmKUo1Aw

http://www.newpet.com/bestfriends/pickanameform.htm


Showcase success

PhD section, 1st Joint winners and Overall best speaker award

Olivia Burge (SBS) / Kristen Lamvik (Communication Disorders)

PhD section, 2nd place

Yinnon Dolev

Master's section, 3rd place

Jess Hill

In addition, several biology post-grads were involved with running the event because they are on the PGSA

– Jessica Roche and Marine Aubert. We were probably the most well-represented department/school as

well, no doubt because everyone had ABC talks which only needed a bit of attention.

~ Paula ~


Jen Skilton, had her oral exam today, 18 November. The topic of her research was 'Invertebrate responses

to large-scale change: impacts of eutrophication and cataclysmic earthquake events in a southern New

Zealand estuary'. Her senior supervisor is Professor David Schiel. External examiner was Conrad Pilditch

and moderator was Jim Briskie. Co-supervisors: Dr John Zeldis (NIWA Christchurch) & Dr Drew Lohrer

(NIWA Hamilton) Congratulations Jen!


This is Rachel's first publication as a Ph.D. candidate. Congratulations!

Bowie, M.H., Allen, W.J., McCaw, J. and van Heugten, R. (2014). Factors influencing occupancy of modified

artificial refuges for monitoring the range-restricted Banks Peninsula tree weta Hemideina

ricta (Anostostomatidae). New Zealand Journal of Ecology 38(1): early access online.

Who wrote this?

Issue 299: Nobody knows when she started her skid, she was only 27 and she had five kids.

Answer: Emmylou Harris - Red Dirt Girl

Guessed: Nobody guessed it, although Our Bill thought it was from some tragic country song, so true!


Scenes of devastation and some relief after Typhoon Haiyan

(Red Cross appeal)

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/12/world/asia/typhoon-haiyan-vignettes/

https://www.redcross.org.nz/

Newsletter 301 Tuesday 26 November 2013

It was quite a week last week being in Bangkok with the Prime Ministerial Delegation for Trade and for

Education New Zealand. The main event for the education delegation was the signing of a Letter of Intent by

the delegate representing Universities New Zealand, witnessed by the two Prime Ministers at Government

House. This means that students gaining Thai Government Scholarships can attend a New Zealand

University. Our Wednesday presentations to their MOST from the five NZ Universities present were to

convince MOST to encourage the Office of the Civil Service (that awards the Scholarships) that NZ

Universities are quality destinations. Because of the current political unrest the entrance to Government

House was guarded by police in riot gear and rolls of barbed wire. I saw a water canon vehicle drive past.

But it was all peaceful inside what is a magnificent building.

New Zealand Embassy barbeque

++++++++++++Business lunch - Trade and Alumni +++++++++++++++++++Letter of Intent signing

Government House++++++++

++++++Outside Government House+++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++Red carpet Government House+++++++++++

Wednesday workshop

Thanks to Angus and Bill who hosted the delegation from University Malaysia Sarawak, also last week.

And it is farewell and thanks to Will Godsoe as he makes the move down the road next week. We will be

seeing him around as he continues collaborations with staff and supervision of post grads.

Thank you to Jan and her team who put together a well received exhibit at the Canterbury A & P Show

around Jack’s ideas of the Microbiome. There was plenty of positive feedback and favourable comments

during the show itself. As huge numbers of people attend the Show including large school groups, it is a

great way for the university to communicate with such a large audience over a short period of time. The

public are really interested to learn new things and it is rewarding to see them get such a buzz from it.

~ Paula ~


On Friday 22 November, Liz Deakin had her oral defense. It was very successful and passed with no

revisions. However, as she was in Java, Indonesia, the oral examiner (Bruce Burns) in Auckland, Raph

Didham (the senior supervisor) in Perth, and Jim Briskie (oral organiser) at UC, there are no group photos,

thus the following pics. Congratulations Liz!


This is Teresa's first publication after the submission of her Masters thesis. It is also Elizabeth's first

publication after the submission of her PhD thesis. Congratulations to both!

Burrell, T.K., O'Brien, J.M., Graham, S.E., Simon, K.S., Harding, J.S. and McIntosh, A.R. (2013).

Riparian shading mitigates stream eutrophication in agricultural catchments. Freshwater Science 33(1): Early

access online.

Cerveira, A.M. and Jackson, R.R. (2013). Love is in the air and on the ground: olfactory and tactile cues

elicit visual courtship behavior by Cyrba males (Araneae: Salticidae). Journal of Arachnology 41(3): 374-

380.

This is Roseanna's first publication. She is presently waiting for her 300-level exam results.

Congratulations Roseanna!

Gamlen-Greene, R., Clemens, J., Morgenroth, J., Lechner, M. and Godsoe, W. (2013). When belowground

rumbles: a plant's interactions with antagonists are robust to earthquate-induced shifts in the below-ground

environment. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 38(1): In press.

Heinemann, J. A. (2013). Early warning on food safety issues: How regulators got it wrong on dsRNA.

Advancing the Understanding of Biosafety: GMO Risk Assessment, Independent Biosafety Research and

Holistic Analysis. Hyderabad, India, Third World Network: 1-6.

Leung, D.W.M., Ed. (2013). Recent Advances Towards Improved Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal

Pollution. Dubai, Bentham Sciences Publishers.

Overballe-Petersen, S., Harms, K., Orlando, L.A., Mayar, J.V., Rasmussen, S., Dahl, T.W., Rosing,

M.T., Poole, A.M., Sicheritz-Pontén, T., Brunak, S., Inselmann, S., de Vries, J., Wackernagel, W., Pybus,

O.G., Nielsen, R., Johnsen, P.J., Nielsen, K.M. and Willerslev, E. (2013). Bacterial natural transformation by

highly fragmented and damaged DNA. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Online early

edition http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1315278110.

Ruan, Q.Y., Zheng, X.Q., Chen, B.L., Xiao, Y., Peng, X.X., Leung, D.W.M. and Liu, E.E. (2013).

Determination of total oxalate contents of a great variety of foods commonly available in Southern China

using an oxalate oxidase prepared from wheat bran. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 32: 6-11.

Urbina, M.A. and Glover, C.N. (2013). Relationship between fish size and metabolic rate in the

oxyconforming Inanga Galaxias maculatus reveals size-dependent strategies to withstand hypoxia.

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 86(6): 740-749.

Wenberg, T., Thomsen, M.S., Connell, S.D., Russell, B.D., Waters, J.M., Zuccarello, G.C., Kraft, G.T.,

Sanderson, C., West, J.A. and Gurgel, C.F.D. (2013). The footprint of continental-scale ocean currents on

the biogeography of seaweeds. PLoS ONE 8(11): e80168.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/674180


http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1636/Hi12-42.1

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1636/Hi12-42.1

http://www.nzes.org.nz/nzje/contents.php?volume_issue=j38_1

http://www.ensser.org/fileadmin/files/5.1-Heinemann-paper.pdf

http://benthamscience.com/ebooks/contents.php?JCode=9781608057870

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/11/12/1315278110



http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0080168#authcontrib

In the spotlight

Ant Poole was interviewed on Radio NZ for the Morning Report about his publication mentioned above.

Listen to him now - Scientists find bacteria can ressurrect dead DNA.

Who wrote this?

Each morning they came around, three brisk and serious men with efficient mouths and inefficient eyes,

accompanied by brisk and serious Nurse Duckett, one of the ward nurses who didn't like Yossarian. They

read the chart at the foot of the bed and asked impatiently about the pain. They seemed irritated when he

told them it was exactly the same.


Domino tricks

Suitcase - Simon's cat

The father of genomics

Christmas in the park


Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open. -Thomas Robert Dewar

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2577659/scientists-find-bacteria-can-ressurrect-dead-dna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARM42-eorzE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dm_2G-rIOs

http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21590350-two-time-nobel-prizewinner-died-november-19th-aged-95-father-genomics

http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/coca-cola-christmas-in-the-park/christchurch-city

Newsletter 302 Monday 2 December 2013


Resco de Dios, V., Turnbull, M.H., Barbour, M.M., Ontedhu, J., Ghannoum, O. and Tissue, D.T. (2013). Soil

phosphorous and endogenous rhythms exert a larger impact than CO2 or temperature on nocturnal stomatal

conductance in Eucalyptus tereticornis. Tree Physiology 33: 1206-1215.


Justin Rasmussen, completed a very successful oral exam on Thursday 28 November. His research title

was 'Evolution and maintenance of host specialisation in the shining cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus'. His

senior supervisor is Professor Jim Briskie. His oral defense took place via conference link via Manitoba,

Canada and Christchurch.

Pictured: Professor Jim Briskie (Senior Supervisor), Justin (sitting in snowy Manitoba) and Dr Adrian

Patterson (Oral Examiner, Lincoln University)

http://treephys.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/11/21/treephys.tpt091.abstract

Pictured: Briskie research group celebrations: Laura Azzani (PhD), Robyn White (MSc), Justin Rasmussen

(via Skype), Professor Jim Briskie, Aude Thierry (PhD)

and David Lloyd-Jones (starting 4th year)

In the spotlight

Two UC experts receive Royal Society research medals

Two University of Canterbury (UC) academics last night received Research Honours Medals from the Royal

Society of New Zealand.

Professor Dave Kelly (see photo below) received the Hutton Medal for his research into plant ecology and

Professor Andy Buchanan won the RJ Scott Medal in recognition of his world-leading work in developing

design techniques for large-scale timber buildings. The pair received their medals at an event in Dunedin.

Professor Kelly has made major contributions to New Zealand plant ecology across a range of areas. His

hallmark is using long-term studies of South Island ecosystems to reveal the answers to fundamental

questions of national and international interest.

Read the full story in The Voxy.

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/two-uc-experts-receive-royal-society-research-medals/5/175354

Royal Society of New Zealand awards

Some of the UC crowd at the RSNZ awards dinner in Dunedin last Wednesday.

Pictured: Professor Paula Jameson (Head of School, Biological Sciences), Associate Professor Catherine

Moran (Communication Disorders and Dean of Science), Professor Jenny Brown (Head of School,

Mathematics & Statistics), Professor Dave Kelly (Awardee), Professor Steve Weaver (Geological Sciences

and AVC Research) and Professor Conan Fee (Chemical & Process Engineering, Dean of Engineering and

Forestry, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor)

Canterbury university researchers look at impacts of intensive

dairy farming

University of Canterbury postgraduate students are investigating changes in soil carbon on intensive dairy

farms.

Biology PhD students Gabriel Moinet and Anna Zakharova and Masters student Sam Murray want to

know if soil organic carbon stocks and long-term productivity is influenced by intensively-managed dairy farm

conversions.

Read full article at the AgScience blog.

http://agscienceblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/canterbury-university-researchers-look-at-impacts-of-intensive-dairy-farming/#more-826

Work to start on UC's major new science facility next year

Construction work will start later next year on the University of Canterbury’s (UC) $212 million new Regional

Science and Innovation Centre.

The new science facility is part of the Government’s $260 million support for the university as it rebuilds and

remediates following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

The RSIC will, due to clever design, have much of our science on view where school students and other

visitors to the centre will be able to see laboratory work in action through glass walls.

Read the full story on The Voxy.

Will sweeping changes improve university?

Will sweeping changes at the University of Canterbury improve the academic institution? And can

universities embrace commercial ideals? Philip Matthews reports in The Press.

Jack Heinemann has been mentioned in the article which you can read in full here.

Visual Puzzle (Who wrote this? on hold this week)

What's odd about this dashboard in the new VW Golf Mk 7?

Issue 301: Each morning they came around, three brisk and serious men with efficient mouths and

inefficient eyes, accompanied by brisk and serious Nurse Duckett, one of the ward nurses who didn't like

Yossarian. They read the chart at the foot of the bed and asked impatiently about the pain. They seemed

irritated when he told them it was exactly the same.

Answer: Catch 22, by Joseph Heller

Guessed by: Trio of people - Tracey R, Bill D and Dave K

and now for something completely different... Carols in the Square

Professionals star Lewis Collins dies Ford Capri 3.0 S (primarily the Mark III model)

The Professionals theme song (you are welcome to "boogie" down at your seat)

Group Therapy... with a difference

Thought for the Week "Work hard for what you want in life and you will be rewarded, if not, know that you did your best trying" - Rishi Pandey

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/work-start-ucs-major-new-science-facility-next-year/5/175171

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/9460750/Will-sweeping-changes-improve-university

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news302-speedo.JPG

http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/carols-in-the-square-2013/christchurch-city

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25135934

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlxVGcdWKho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCFVEvZvo3g

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news302-group.jpg

Newsletter 303 Monday 9 December 2013

Who wrote this?

I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death.

(Hopefully this will quiz the Tracey's and Bill's that surround us!!)

Issue 302: What's odd about this dashboard in the new VW Golf Mk 7?

Answer: The speedo changes scale abruptly at 60 km/h.

Guessed by: Guess who? Yes, the one and only Tracey!!


Remembering Nelson Mandela

New York Best Sellers

HARDCOVER FICTION (as at 5.12.13)

TAKEDOWN TWENTY, by Janet Evanovich KING AND MAXWELL, by David Baldacci

SYCAMORE ROW, by John Grisham THE FIRST PHONE CALL FROM HEAVEN, by Mitch Albom

THE GOLDFINCH, by Donna Tartt

Lydia Ko wins first tournament as a pro

How to wrap a cat for Christmas


http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news302-speedo.JPG

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-08/south-africa-begins-national-day-of-prayer-for-mandela/5143076

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/9491973/Lydia-Ko-wins-first-tournament-as-a-pro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm3dm5J5r0A

Newsletter 304 Wednesday 18 December 2013

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone involved in any way with the School of Biological

Sciences a relaxing and safe festive season. Of course this message includes all the students and staff of

the School, but there are many others across campus who support us as well – and who get to read our

newsletter! We have all worked hard and the successes have been many as indicated by the list that Nicki

has compiled below. A special thanks to Nicki who has compiled this and the other 303 newsletters!

Season’s greetings!

Paula

Over the Break

The last day of normal work is Monday 23rd December. After that the University is officially closed until 3rd

January 2014. This is a holiday and the university expects you to have some time off – don’t come to work,

have a break, relax, drink lots of beverages whether this be tea, Milo or even other substances.

If you must work over this period then please do not work in the lab alone. Make sure someone knows you

are working in the lab and that have reached home safely at the end of the day.

If you are doing fieldwork the normal rules apply in terms of making sure you have a contact person who

knows where you have headed and that you check in when you are back. If you are planning on doing

fieldwork over the break, please make sure that you tell Nicole, and give her a copy of your Field Intentions

Form.

Some other information:

Security can be reached 24 hours per day. From the lab use the extension 8666 or in an emergency 8111. Their cellphone number is 0800 823 637. If you have this stored on your cellphone then it’s easy to contact them.

Bill’s cellphone is 027 289 0020. If everything turns to custard then phone him.

If you are collecting lots of material that needs autoclaving, make a note of the autoclave times during the break. See Craig’s e-mail, but effectively the days are 23rd Dec, 30th December, 3rd January.

Seawater. Renny and Alan will be checking seawater levels at regular intervals.

Animals and plants will be checked daily as long as we know they need to be checked. Basically everything in the aquarium and the atrium will be checked, plus the insects and the plants in the glasshouses. Anything else, you need to let Bill know.

There should be no building work happening over the break. If you are in the building and see anyone with an orange vest, then ask them what they are doing, or phone security (building work starts again on 6th Jan).


Dogovski, C., Gorman, M.A., Ketaren, N.E., Praszkier, J., Zammit, L.M., Mertens, H.D.T., Bryant, G., Griffin,

M.D.W., Pearce, F.G., Gerrard, J.A., Jameson, G.B., Parker, M.W., Robins-Browne, R.M. and Perugini,

M.A. (2013). From knock-out phenotype to three-dimensional structure of a promising antibiotic target

from Streptococcus pneumoniae. PLoS ONE 8(12): e83419.

Peckarsky, B.L., McIntosh, A.R., Álvarez, M. and Moslemi, J.M. (2013). Nutrient limitation controls the

strength of behavioral trophic cascades in high elevation streams. Ecosphere

4(9): dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES1813.00084.00081.


Michael Bartlett (MSc) The evolution and maintenance of body colour polymorphismin in Bombus

ruderatus in the South Island, New Zealand

Lauretta Bensemann (MSc) How specialised are insect pollinators in urban Christchurch?

Carol Frost (PhD) Spillover and species interactions across habitat edges between managed and natural

forests

Elizabeth Graham (PhD) Mechanisms and mitigation of food web change in stream ecosystems

Jessica Hill (MSc) Reproductive biology, movement and spawning dynamics of Galaxias maculatus in

central New Zealand

Tejraj Janmale (PhD) Oxidation of 7,8-Dihydroneopterin

Alexander Knight (MSc) The Genetic Structure and Dispersal Patterns of the Nigeria-Cameroon

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti)

In the spotlight

Climate change impacts on small insect predator-prey interactions

Sophia Hunt (MSc candidate), is studying climate change impacts on small insects and their predator-prey

interactions.

She will look at how habitat drying affects interactions between both a native and introduced mosquito, and

their predators, in New Zealand freshwater environments. Read the full story in the Voxy.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0083419

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/ES13.00084.1

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/climate-change-impacts-small-insect-predator-prey-interactions/5/177338

Conservation efforts allowed survival of the not-so-fit

The study, conducted by UC researchers Dr Raaz Sainudiin, Dr Marie Hale, Dr Jim Briskie, Dr Anthony

Poole and former UC academic Dr Melanie Massaro, documents the unintended consequences of

conservation measures taken to save the Chatham Islands black robin from extinction.

The findings of the research were recently published in the scientific journal Plos One. Read the Voxy article.

Wait, there's more!

Marie Hale, was mentioned on Newstalk ZB.

University of Canterbury researchers have found not all conservation efforts have their desired effect. They

found efforts in the 1980s to boost the population of the endangered Black Robin accidentally risked its long

term survival. Read the full article.

Lecturing academics making it big this year!

In order of receiving award/accolades:

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/conservation-efforts-allowed-survival-not-so-fit/5/177025

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/1890131322-conservation-efforts-in-the-80s-put-birds--at-risk-

Matthew Turnbull, UC Teaching Award

Dave Kelly, UC Research Medal and Hutton Medal

Daniel Stouffer, 2013 Rutherford Discovery Fellowship

Brian Mason Trust funding success

Jim Briskie, $15,775.00 - New blood or bad blood? The long-term consequences of using inbred donors for

the genetic rescue of endangered New Zealand birds

Angus McIntosh, $12,380.00 - Climate and habitat mediation of mosquito population dynamics in

Canterbury and Westland

Chris Glover, $19,725.00 - Putting galaxiid fish in the mix: assessing sensitivity of inanga to emerging

contaminants and their mixtures

Robert Jackson, Marsden Grant

Jon Harding, Promotion to the rank of Professor

Ant Poole, Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor

Arvind Varsani, Chris Glover and Ximena Nelson, Promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer Above the Bar

General staff successes

Jan McKenzie and Linda Morris, Promotion above the Merit

Craig Galilee, Jackie Healy and Matt Walters, Bonuses

Thomas Evans, Nicole Lauren-Manuera and Gavin Tisch, Step progressions

Sadly, we have or are about to farewell five technicians this year.

Selwyn Cox - Leader extraordinaire, Captain of the ship. Someone who didn't need a database because

everything was in his head!

Graeme Young - IT stalwart, Farmer. Many a PC versus Mac debate!***********Jenny Ladley - Ecology

superwoman, hear me roar!

Gavin Robinson - Physiology tech, Yachtsman. Experience galore!***********Maggie Tisch - Molecular

Genetics superwoman, Tigger.

Student successes

UC student wins major environmental scholarship

Biological sciences student Marine Aubert is the inaugural recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust

Dr Brian Molloy Doctoral Scholarship, which includes a $30,000 annual grant and a research expenses

allowance of $20,000 a year.

Brian Mason Trust funding success

Kevin Chase, PhD candidate in Ecology, $9,000.00

Distribution and spread of pine bark beetles across Canterbury

Todd Foundation Awards for Excellence

Many congratulations to three UC PhD students who were recipients of Todd Foundation Awards for

Excellence (Universities). These awards support research projects that will benefit New Zealand, with an

emphasis on projects with a practical application. Of the eight awards made three were awarded to UC

students: Tom Brookman (Geological Sciences), Helen Warburton (Biological Sciences) and Matt Signal

(Mechanical Engineering).

UC More, Feel More, Do More

Check out the UC More, Feel More, Do More campaigns and you will spot Dr Laura Young and Tejraj

Janmale (PhD candidate).

UC advertising

Check out Nixie Boddy (BSc Hons candidate), Amanda Klemmer (PhD candidate) and Hamish

Greig (Postdoctoral Fellow) who were at the airport on a very large billboard. They are all members of the

Freshwater Ecology Research Group.

Yet again one of our fine postgraduate students appears on the front cover of the Research Report. This

time the accolades go to Rathishri Chanduruveland (PhD candidate). Rathi's research topic is

'Investigation of biomarkers of stress in New Zealand bivalves'.

The 2014 Postgraduate Prospectus is now available online as a pdf with clickable links. More importantly it

has the FERGie gang on the front, Nixie Boddy (BSc Hons), Dr Hamish Greig (Graduate 2008), Amanda

Klemmer (PhD candidate), Helen Warburton (PhD candidate), and Mark Galatowitsch (PhD candidate).

Scholarships

Sophia Hunt and Katherine Wootton (MSc candidates) have both been awarded scholarships

from Freemasons New Zealand. They have received $6,000 each towards their studies. Four Canterbury

students received these scholarships and two just happen to be ours! Congratulations to you both.

Robyn White (MSc candidate), has received the Roland Stead Scholarship worth $5,000. Robyn's research

is on the 'Response of New Zealand birds to the presence of novel predators'.

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news275_Airport_Billboard.JPG

http://www.research.canterbury.ac.nz/Research_Report_2012_book_web.pdf

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/publications/documents/postgraduate_prospectus.pdf

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news276_kate.jpg

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news276_hunt.jpg

Pictured: 2012 recipient Matt Wallace and 2013 recipient Robyn White

Roseanna Gamlen-Greene (BSc student), was awarded the Walter Jones Scholarship which will be funding

her tuition fees for this year.

Alyssa Cirtwill (PhD candidate), was recently selected as one of 20 students to attend the Santa Fe

Institute's 2013 Chile Complex Systems Summer School. Participation is a competitively-determined process

and includes support for travel and accommodation during the 10 day course.

CSSS-Chile is an intensive 11-day exploration of biocomplexity and the complex behavior in the environment

and social sciences. This school is intended for graduate and postdoctoral fellows. Topics include social

dynamics, scaling and network theory, ecology and nonlinear dynamics among others.

Conference successes

Jessica Roche (PhD candidate), won the Best student poster prize from the New Zealand Society of Plant

Biologists received at the annual conference. Her winning poster title was: Systems Biology: To build

understanding of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).

Ryan Catchpole (PhD candidate), won the Mayo Prize for best student talk at the Genetics Society of

Australasia (GSA) conference in Sydney, 14-17 July. His winning talk was on 'Bacterial translation initiation -

fMet'.

Yinnon Dolev (PhD candidate), won the best presentation award at the Australasian Society for the Study of

Animal Behaviour conference held in Auckland.

http://tuvalu.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Chile_Complex_Systems_Summer_School_2013-Participants

http://www.santafe.edu/education/schools/complex-systems-summer-school-chile/

BIC students sweep E3: Enzyme Engineering and Evolution Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB)

Satellite meeting, 25-26 August poster prizes:

L to R: Rachel North, Katherine Donovan, Amy Yewdall, Sam Kim

MSc student Jess Hill of the Marine Ecology Research Group was awarded top prizes at the joint

conference of the NZ Marine Sciences Society, NZ Freshwater Sciences Society and the Australia Society of

Fisheries Biology in Hamilton. Jess was honoured for Best Student poster in aquatic science, best student

oral presentation and best freshwater conservation poster, all in freshwater science, as well as honourable

mention as runner-up in the best student oral presentation for NZMSS.

Over 500 delegates provided a full conference programme as well as a rousing evening at the conference

dinner. In line with the theme of ‘The Life Aquatic’, guests were invited to come in fancy dress related to this

theme. Once again, MERG came through with their combined efforts as a swarm of jellyfish. They beat out

other notable groups such as the runner-up Rena brigade, who came in complete with commodore, a

captain in shackles, a sinking vessel and clean-up crew. The marine ecology group gave 16 oral

presentations at the conference.

Pictured: Marine Ecology Research Group swarm of prize-winning jellyfish at the joint conference of the NZ

Marine Sciences Society, NZ Freshwater Sciences Society and Australia Society of Fisheries Biology in

Hamilton. Note also the Canterbury Mudfish (aka Michelle Greenwood) at left, also a prize recipient.

Annual Biology Conference

This year's ABC was held on 17th October. The conference was a showcase for our PhD, MSc and BSc

Hons postgraduates. High School students were also invited to attend. We would like to congratulate the

following on their outstanding achievements.

Powerhouse prize for Innovation: Anton Mather

Research committee prizes

Best paper by a MSc student: Laurel Julian

Best paper by a PhD student: Jeremy Keown

Best overall publication output: Rathi Chandurvelan

Overall presentations

PhD

1st: Yinnon Dolev (sponsored by John Morris Scientific)

Spiders respond to stick figure representations of prey

2nd: Amy Yewdall

Manipulating the quaternary structure of peroxiredoxin

3rd: Nicholas Baker

A meso-scale approach to understanding nestedness and modularity of ecological networks

MSc

1st: Ashleigh Watts

A characterisation of biofouling patterns and genetic connectivity in Pelorus Sound, New Zealand

2nd: Ronan Broad

The molecular and biochemical characterization of sloughy, an Arabidopsis thaliana cell separation mutant

3rd: Emma Dorsey

Investigation of a novel bifunctional diaminopimelate decarboxylase: aspartokinase of Xylella

fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa

Best BSc Hons talk: Emma Pukola

Radionuclides in fish of the South Pacific

Overall Best Oral presentation: Olivia Burge (sponsored by Lab Supply)

Native forest regeneration under Leptospermum scoparium in Awarua-Waituna wetland, Southland:

constraints, trajectories, and predictive ability

We give thanks to the following sponsors who provided the main and spot prizes and the morning/afternoon

teas. Also big thanks to Dave Conder for providing the plants for the conference venue and spot prizes.

Showcase success

PhD section, 1st Joint winners and Overall best speaker award

Olivia Burge (SBS) / Kristen Lamvik (Communication Disorders)

PhD section, 2nd place

Yinnon Dolev

Master's section, 3rd place

Jess Hill

In addition, several biology post-grads were involved with running the event because they are on the PGSA

– Jessica Roche and Marine Aubert. We were probably the most well-represented department/school as

well, no doubt because everyone had ABC talks which only needed a bit of attention.

Thesis-in-three

College of Science round

As you know the School of Biological Sciences offered 10 out of the 17 presentations in the College of

Science heats for thesis-in-three. Congratulations to the top three - all from Biology!

1) Alexandria Tino (score 27.5 out of 30) Natural dietaries and ovarian cancer

2) Olivia Burge (27) Succession within the Awarua-Waituna wetland complex

3) Jessica Hill (26.5) Whitebait: What happens to the ones that escape?

According to the judges, competition was extremely tight with only a 3-point spread between the top 13

scores, so congratulations and thanks to everyone from Biology who competed. Our best wishes to Alex,

Olivia and Jessica for the University round.

Thesis-in-Three final

The UC Thesis in Three final was a great success. The judges included Andrew Ramsay (UCSA Vice-

President); Associate Professor Janet Carter (Psychology) and Emeritus Professor John Burrows (Law). The

top three winners were Steven Banerjee (Mechanical Engineering) who came third with his presentation,

"The silicon centipede - A parallel cellular delivery chip". Olivia Burge (Biological Sciences) took out

second place with, "Regeneration within the Awarua-Waituna wetland complex" and Ksenia

Gnevsheva (Linguistics) won first place with "Non-native English accents: How malleable are they?"

New additions to the school

Kathryn Baker and Kat Melief (welcome back!) have filled the two new positions of Laboratory/Autoclave

Assistants. If Kathryn's name sounds familiar to some zoologists, she did her BSc in Zoology back when

Frank and Khris were here! They will be enjoying their new digs in the washing up/autoclave room on the

first floor of Biology2.

Gavin Tisch had initially replaced Teri Johnston, as a full time Laboratory Assistant. He has since gone on

to became the school's Purchasing Technician.

Graeme Boddy has jumped in to take up the role of Technical Assistant that Mr Tisch left behind.

Our Nicole (Lauren-Manuera) has taken up the reins of Technical

Manager.

Catherine Febria has joined FERG as their latest Postdoctoral Fellow,

from the University of Maryland (USA). In Maryland, she worked with

Margaret Palmer on several syntheses related to ecosystem vs.

ecosystem service restoration in urban and agricultural streams and

rivers. She also took part in an empirical study of the source, transport

and fate of dissolved organic carbon and other nutrients within urbanizing

stream networks. In 2010, she completed her PhD in Ecology &

Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of

Toronto (Canada) where she studied the microbial and ecosystem

ecology of hyporheic zones in the lab of Dudley Williams. In 2005, she

completed an MSc in Limnology/Biogeochemistry from Simon Fraser University (Canada) where she studied

biogeochemical processes in Canadian arctic floodplain lakes with advisor Lance Lesack. As part of FERG,

she is excited to be a part of the Mackenzie Project, putting the recent syntheses on freshwater management

into practice through a series of multi-year trials on agriculturally-impacted waterways of Canterbury. Her

husband Peter and 2-year old daughter Emilia join her in New Zealand.

Hatches, Matches and Dispatches

We go ga-ga

Luca Heber, 26 April, 3600 grams

Proud wee boy to Sol Heber (PhD graduand 2012)

Amaru Tomás, 26 May, 6 lb 7 oz or 2.92 kg

Proud delightful boy to Amanda Greer (PhD candidate)

Samuel Heikki Tylianakis, 26 June 2013, 3.0kg

Proud first parents to Sanna and Jason Tylianakis

George, 22 July, cuddly and cute goat

Proud buddy to Nicole (photo may differ from the real George)

http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/newsletter/2013/Images%202013/news304-goat.jpg

Seamus Ross Reeves, 29 September, 3.6 kg

Proud parents of Ian Reeves and Kristy Hogsden (Postdoctoral Fellow) and brother to Pippa

Jem Patrick South, 30 September 2013, 3.420 kg

Proud parents to Kerry and Paul South and brother to Elouise

Tate James Steeves-Wright, 21 October

Proud parents to Cam Wright and Tammy Steeves and brother to Teagan

Yonatan Avraham Dolev, 23 November 2013, 3460 grams

Proud first parents to Rinat and Yinnon Dolev (PhD candidate)

Jillian Strong, 30 October, 3.36 kg

Proud first parents to Tamlyn and James Strong (Callaghan Innovation)

Edine Stouffer, 10 December, 3.16 kg

Proud first parents to Mireia Casas Marce and Daniel Stouffer

BIG THANKS to the proud parents who let me add their precious

babies :)

We celebrate

A little birdie did some digging and found the delightful news that Hannah Burrowes (MSc graduand

2013) and Freddie Prebble (PhD candidate) tied the knot in January! I have no official photos, but the

couple looked beautiful together. To top things off they brought into the world little Ollie, born last month.

Congratulations to both!!

On Friday April 19th, Aliaa Idris (PhD in CEMB) married Mohamad Safwan Ismail in Kejong, near Kuala

Lumpa, Malaysia.

We remember

Bruce Lingard, who worked in the Zoology Department from 1964 to 2001, died in March 2013. He worked

in Animal Physiology and then finished up as the Accounts/Purchasing officer.

Bruce was a unique character. Usually dressed in shorts and sandals and he drove his distinctive red

truck. He was well known for his quick wit and readiness to laugh, but was very caring and interested in

those around him.

His favourite quote was ‘it’s good work if you can get it!'.

December graduation - 18 December 2013

Doctor of Philosophy

IN PERSON

Rathishri Chandurvelan in Environmental Sciences

Investigation of waterborne cadmium toxicity in the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus using biomarkers

- a potential bio indicator of coastal metal pollution in New Zealand

Moritz Lassé in Biochemistry

Does protein aggregation state impact on the digestibility and safety of foods?

Elizabeth Deakin in Ecology

Impacts of land-use intensification on forest remnants embedded within production landscapes

Tarryn Wyman in Ecology

Consequences of reduced bird densities for seed dispersal

Jennifer Skilton in Ecology

Invertebrate responses to large-scale change: Impacts of eutrophication and cataclysmic earthquake events

in a southern New Zealand estuary

Gareth Taylor in Environmental Sciences

Management of sand beaches for the protection of shellfish resources

IN ABSENTIA

Jenipher Cate in Ecology

The effects of tourism on the behaviour of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri)

Justin Rasmussen in Zoology

Investigations of evolutionary arms races and host diversity in avian brood parasite systems

Master of Science

Patrick P. Collins Biotechnology Master of Science

Carina L. Davis Cellular & Molecular Biology First Class Honours

Andrew C. Guy Biotechnology Master of Science

Kusitino Mudunaivalu Environmental Sciences Second Class Honours, Division II

Emma K. Swadel Biochemistry First Class Honours

Jan S. Taylor Zoology First Class Honours

Sitara Thotta Nagesh Biotechnology Merit

Emily J. Tighe Zoology First Class Honours

Mandy Yang Cellular & Molecular Biology Second Class Honours, Division II

COUNCIL CEREMONY

Laurel C. Julian, First Class Honours, 27 March

Jane Gosden, First Class Honours, 29 May

James Schaap, Second Class Honours, 29 May

Alyssa M. Sikorski, Distinction, 26 June

Gemma McLaughlin, Master of Science

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences/Biochemistry

Anisha Ali Elizabeth C. Ashby Della G. Bennet

Jacob C. Blokland Christina H. Chapman Naomi C. Clarke

Duncan P. Coleman Theo J. Commissaris Mary K. Davies

Olivia C. Dickson Kelsey H.H. Evans Billie J. Fletcher

Daniel J. Gilmour Daniel M. Gregory Tessa N. Greig

Charlotte J. Grubb Jacob P. Harris Danielle E. Hayne

Janelle I. Hosking Longyuan R. Hu Sarah L. Johnstone

Dylan J. Lasenby Maketalena F. Male Danielle A. Mather

Morgan S. McPhail Paththinikuttige J.S. Nonis Anna C. O'Grady

Tania M. Simpson Alexander R. Spijkerman Olivia M.G. Steel

Nicholas C. Stinson Holly R. Stirling Katherine L. Todd

Jemma L. Vivian Taylor J. Welsh Laura L. Williamson

Aimee L. Woodruff Emma K. Woods Lauren R. Yates

COUNCIL CEREMONY

Mandy K. Shuker, 29 May

Josh C.C.M. van Vianen, 29 May

Simone D. Hudson-Papuni, 31 July

Lina Saito, 31 July

Alexander S. McMahon, 30 October

Harriet A. Roil, 27 November

Who wrote this?

Four quizzes to keep the generations busy!

Gone with the wind (10 questions) - for those that love love

To kill a mockingbird (10 questions) - for all those serious adults who read the book

The Harry Potter quiz (28 questions) - for all those young at heart or who read it anyway

The velveteen rabbit (12 questions) - for those who have small children and cried with them

Issue 303:

I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death.

Answer: The greatest salesman in the world by Og Mandino

Guessed by: Anish Shah

https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/98-gone-with-the-wind--the-book

https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/1843-to-kill-a-mockingbird

https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/6153-the-harry-potter-quiz

https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/30365-the-velveteen-rabbit


A Christmas airport miracle

Peter O'Toole receiving his Honorary Oscar in 2003

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 - The Bear & The Hare

Thought for the Year

“Are you a Tigger or an Eyore?”

― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

Contact details

If you have items of news or interest that you would like included in this newsletter, contact the admin office

before noon on Friday at [email protected] or phone ext 6732.

The editor would like to thank everybody who contributed to the past 12 months of newsletters, in particular

Jason T, Paul G, Dave K and Bill.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/9497991/A-Christmas-airport-miracle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt564HJ_Irg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqWig2WARb0

mailto:[email protected]

Newsletter 260 Wednesday 23 January 2013 · A., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2012). Adaptive...

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Transcript of Newsletter 260 Wednesday 23 January 2013 · A., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2012). Adaptive...