C-DEBI Newsletter – February 2, 2015

C-DEBI Newsletter – February 2, 2015
This newsletter is also accessible via our website.

 

Our annual Site Review by the NSF and external panel was held last week.  Thanks to the contingent of graduate students and postdocs representing a variety of current C-DEBI projects, we presented our accomplishments in our first 4.5 years and our outlook for the next phase!  We’ll find out in the coming months if NSF will fund us for another 5 years! Thanks to everyone who has made C-DEBI what it is today!

 

Publications

Hot Off the Press: Recommended Practices for Integrating Education, Diversity, and Research: Five Lessons Learned from NSF Science and Technology Centers (C-DEBI Contribution 231) in Oceanography
Over the last couple of decades, funding agencies have increased pressure on scientists to demonstrate that their research has some societal benefit. When the National Science Foundation established the Broader Impacts requirement (NSF, 1997) by merging two review criteria—utility or relevance of the project and its effect on the infrastructure of science and engineering—principal investigators largely ignored it (Lok, 2010). Then, in 2002, NSF began to return (without review) any proposal that didn’t explicitly address broader impacts (NSF, 2002). The NSF crackdown was largely driven by workplace development needs—and growing concerns about US global competitiveness—in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM; National Academies, 2007). Women comprise 51% of the US population, yet only 23% of ocean and Earth scientists are female. Ethnic minorities (excluding Asians, who are generally not underrepresented in STEM fields) comprise 32% of the US population but only 7% of ocean and Earth scientists (NSF, 2013). Ocean and Earth science positions are projected to increase in the United States by 16% from 2012 to 2022 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012a), compared to a 10% increase in STEM jobs overall (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012b). Tapping into a wider and deeper talent pool, regardless of gender or ethnicity, will ensure that the United States remains capable of meeting twenty-first century STEM workforce demands. Authors include C-DEBI Diversity Director Joseph.

Proposal Calls


CIFAR/GBMF: Call for Proposals for Workshops in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution
As part of a newly announced joint venture, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and
the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF) are collaborating to organize two workshops over the
2015–2017 period under the broad theme of marine microbial ecology and evolution and related
disciplines. Through these workshops, the goals of the collaboration are to:

  1. Enable discussions about exciting new discoveries in marine microbial ecology and evolution;
  2. Foster dialogue on the conceptual, analytical, and methodological barriers that currently hinder progress for this multi-disciplinary field; and
  3. Inspire new ideas and approaches for marine microbial ecology by discussing potentially relevant concepts and technologies from other fields.

CIFAR and the Marine Microbiology Initiative (MMI) at GBMF invite workshop ideas that aim to shed
novel light on the roles, evolution, and ecology of marine microbial communities. We are especially
interested in creative workshop proposals that increase the permeability of ideas between disciplines,
including disciplines that have not traditionally interfaced with the field of marine microbial ecology. Each
workshop would bring together about 30 outstanding researchers from around the globe. We expect
participants to include CIFAR fellows and affiliates, MMI-supported researchers, and other experts.
Outstanding trainees will also be welcome to participate. Proposals are due Monday, March 9, 2015.

DCO: Deep Life Community (DLC) Call for Proposals 

The Deep Carbon Observatory Deep Life Community is accepting electronic submissions until February 5, 2015 for proposals to the Census of Deep Life. Proposals can request support for high throughput sequencing of metagenomes or 16S rDNA amplicons of communities from deep subsurface environments.

NSF: Genealogy of Life (GoLife) program solicitation
Full proposal deadline: March 25, 2015.

ECORD: Research Grants for Graduate Students and Postdocs at ECORD Country Institutions
Applicants should be enrolled in either a PhD or “early­-career,” post-­doctoral research programme at any institution from an ECORD country. The deadline to apply for an ECORD Research Grant is March 31, 2015.

NSF: Dimensions of Biodiversity Program Solicitation
Full proposal deadline: April 09, 2015.

National Academies Research Associateships for Graduate, Postdoctoral and Senior Researchers
There are four annual review cycles and the next closes May 01, 2015.

IODP-USSSP: Proposals for Pre-Drilling Activities and Workshops
The U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP) accepts proposals on a rolling basis for pre-drilling activities and semi-annually for workshops, next submission deadline May 15, 2015, related to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).
 

Education & Outreach

WHOI: Woods Hole Partnership Education Program, June 1 – 26
The Woods Hole Partnership Educational Program (PEP) is designed primarily for college juniors and seniors who want to spend a summer gaining practical experience in marine and environmental science. The program consists of a four-week course and a six-to-ten week research project – all in the sea-side village of Woods Hole. PEP students study, conduct research, and receive training in their areas of interest, working in labs with leading researchers in marine and environmental sciences. PEP provides a first-hand introduction to emerging issues and real-world training in the research skills students need to advance in science, either as graduate students or bachelors-level working scientists. The PEP experience is intended to provide students with an entry into the Woods Hole science community, one of the most vibrant marine and environmental research communities in the world. Priority in admissions and financial support will be given to students who have applied on or before February 20, 2015.

C-DEBI: Now receiving applications for C-DEBI Global Environmental Microbiology (GEM) Summer Course 
The GEM Course is an all-expenses paid, four-week intensive introductory course in Global Environmental Microbiology (GEM) geared for early career undergraduates from 2 and 4 year colleges/universities that focuses on microbes found in aquatic environments investigated through authentic research experiences (students collect, process & interpret data). Application deadline: February 03, 2015

C-DEBI: Now receiving applications for Teacher Small Grants
The K-16 Teacher Small Grants program supports K-16 teachers who have attended a C-DEBI teacher-training program and have incorporated C-DEBI content into their classrooms.  These awards up to $2500 support items including but not limited to the following: funds for student field trips, classroom supplies, travel for presenting C-DEBI curriculum at educator meetings, or additional professional development directly related to C-DEBI research. Deadline for proposals: February 16, 2015.

Wrigley Institute: Geobiology 2015: An International Training Course in a Rapidly Evolving Field, June 19-July 21, 2015
GeoBiology 2015 is open to students and researchers at any level, although we give preference to graduate students in their early to mid years of study. Applications are due February 13, 2015.

Wrigley Institute: 2015 Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): Coastal Ocean Processes, Jun 15 – Aug 7, 2015
This NSF-funded program will support ten highly motivated and talented undergraduate students to conduct independent but guided research that focuses on Coastal Ocean Processes at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island, CA. Applications due February 16, 2015.

Stanford: Hopkins Microbiology Course, June 19 – July 18
Application deadline: March 1, 2015.

Meetings, Workshops and Activities

Astrobiology Science Conference 2015: Habitability, Habitable Worlds, and Life, June 15-19, 2015, Chicago, IL
The deadline for abstract submissions is Wednesday, March 4. There are many session groups relevant to the C-DEBI community, including:

Theme: How to Build a Habitable Planet
Session Title: Extreme Earth: Omics Research on Microbial Communities, Their Chemistries, and What it Means for Life in the Solar System
Organizers: Samantha Marie Waters (Georgia Institute of Technology), Wesley Swingley (Northern Illinois University), and C-DEBI Researcher Katrina Twing (Michigan State University)

Summary: Understanding how life on Earth adapts to and contributes to the chemistry of extreme environments may elucidate how life has shaped the planet, ultimately broadening our definition of habitability in our search for extraterrestrial life. Advances in next-generation technologies have revolutionized the ability to describe members of communities (metagenomics), how these communities respond to environmental changes (metatranscriptomics), what functional role these organisms contribute to biogeochemical cycles (metaproteomics and metabolomics), and how select organisms have evolved to thrive (adaptive mutation). This session will cover all aspects of extremeomics and welcomes presenters to share their research and how it informs on (1) the search for extraterrestrial life, (2) how Earth life has evolved and adapted to extreme environments, and (3) how microorganisms have ultimately shaped our planet and possibly more distant worlds.

Deep Biosphere Science is a Priority in the 2015-2025 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences
With input from the ocean sciences community (including you!), the National Research Council report Sea Change: 2015-2025 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences identifies eight strategic research priorities for the next decade that will continue to advance scientific understanding of the ocean. “What is the geophysical, chemical, and biological character of the subseafloor environment and how does it affect global elemental cycles and understanding of the origin and evolution of life?”

IODP: Workshop for Scientific Drilling in the Indian Ocean Crust and Mantle
For more information and to register, please visit: http://web.whoi.edu/indian-ocean-drilling/us-china-international-ocean-discovery-program-workshop/.

The workshop is open to U.S. and international participants, and the deadline to register is March 15, 2015.

Employment


UTK: Professor and Head Department of Microbiology, The College of Arts & Sciences
The Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee’s flagship campus in Knoxville is seeking a senior colleague for the position of David and Sandra White Endowed Professor and Department Head. This position is open to individuals who are qualified to be appointed at the full professor level with tenure within the Microbiology Department and at the University of Tennessee. The new Head will guide the growth of the department and help build on our existing strengths in microbial ecology, physiology and host-microbe interactions. The successful candidate will possess a strong record of excellence in research and teaching, a history of effective leadership, a demonstrated talent for administration, and a vision for fostering our continued progression as one of the top Microbiology departments in the nation. Review of applications will begin on March 31, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled.

UAF: Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Chemical Oceanography, SFOS
The School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (SFOS) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) seeks applications from exceptional candidates for a tenure-track assistant professor position in chemical oceanography. Specialties of interest include ocean acidification, marine inorganic carbon chemistry, carbon biogeochemistry, carbon cycle-climate interactions, isotope biogeochemistry, and evaluation of the biological impact of ocean acidification. We are particularly interested in applicants whose research plan involves the new ice-capable, Global Class Research Vessel Sikuliaq. Review of applications will begin February 15th. For full consideration applications should be received by March 1st, 2015.

Moore Foundation: Program Officer, Marine Microbiology Initiative
The Foundation is seeking an accomplished scientist with expertise in a biological, oceanographic or other field relevant to marine microbial ecology, a passion for broad scientific inquiry and advancement, and excitement about MMI’s goals.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Postdoctoral Fellow in microbiology (“microbial dark matter” biology)
The review of materials will begin December 01, 2014, and will continue until the position is filled.

Skidaway Institute of Oceanography: Two Tenure Track Faculty Positions in Oceanography
The committee will begin to review applications on October 24, 014 and will continue until the positions are filled.

Don’t forget to email me with any items you’d like to share in future newsletters! You are what makes our deep biosphere community!

 
Best, 
 
Matt
 
— 
Matthew Janicak
Data Manager
Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)
University of Southern California
3616 Trousdale Pkwy, AHF 209, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371
Phone: 708-691-9563, Fax: 213-740-2437
Exploring life beneath the seafloor and making transformative discoveries that advance science, benefit society, and inspire people of all ages and origins.

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