O ur project therefore had two forma or mark sheet and over 80% would like submission and return of work and links to components: a series of tutorials to have received more electronic feedback in originality checking. The use of a comment that provided opportunities other modules. One concern we had was that library can help to increase consistency for students to practice using students may have found the library comments in situations where multiple markers are to have been too generic and not sufficiently involved, for example when postgraduatethe criteria to mark exemplars, and a trial specific to their piece of work. However over demonstrators or teaching assistants are half of the group indicated that they found involved in marking work from a large cohort.of GradeMark® (part of Turnitin®) as an the comments specific. Overall, students Since our initial use of engagement indicated that the electronic comments were tutorials and GradeMark® to provide feedbackelectronic platform to provide feedback more positive, more fair, more thorough, more in a limited number of modules, we have helpful, easier to understand and specific embedded GradeMark® in other modules weon coursework. GradeMark® provides (compared to other feedback). It was also clear teach and several colleagues both within our that students valued a variety of feedback departments and across the University havein-built and customisable comment - there was a preference for “summary” done the same. We continue to develop the comments as well as specific comments. marking criteria each year and devise newbanks that can increase the efficiency of GradeMark® allows analysis of the activities to engage students with the marking feedback given to students: for instance, the process. One aspect we wanted to includemarking and increase the consistency number of students that receive different from the outset of the project was to engage students in writing the marking criteriaof marking between different markers. WITH ON-LINE FEEDBACK themselves. It quickly became apparent that THERE IS NO NEED FOR this was too ambitious at the time but we still The first step was to write assignment- PRINTING OR SCANNING hope to incorporate this at some point. There FOR RETENTION, MORE is also a question about how best to supportspecific marking criteria based on students’ DETAILED COMMENTS CAN those students who continue to struggle with BE GIVEN EFFICIENTLY AND marking criteria, particularly with higherprior knowledge. In some modules this THE USE OF A LIBRARY levels of comparative judgement. In-class time BANK OF COMMENTS HELPS is precious and some staff may be reluctantrequired running preliminary focus groups TO AVOID REPETITION to use face-to-face time to discuss marking criteria rather than subject content. Couldto better understand what the level of prior types of grammatical comments or the number tools for independent learning be useful here? of students that fall into each mark range for If any readers would like to know moreknowledge was. We then ran a series of a given criterion. This allows lecturers to about our project, we encourage them to get identify common errors which can be helpful in touch. We are happy to share the materialstutorials to engage students with these when planning the following year’s classes we have created throughout this project or and deciding where the time in class would happy to offer advice on how to implementassignment-specific marking criteria. This be most beneficially spent. GradeMark® similar activities. also indicates when students have viewedinvolved talking through the marking their feedback. In one particular module, STUDENTS FREQUENTLY we found that 84% of students obtaining SAID THAT THE MOSTcriteria, picking out key words for discussion, 70-100% viewed their feedback within 3.5 USEFUL ASPECT OF THESE weeks of the marks being released whereas TUTORIALS WAS SEEINGencouraging students to see the differences only 14% of those obtaining a failing mark EXAMPLES OF OTHER (0-39%) did so. Forty-six to forty-ninebetween performances in different grade percent of students obtaining 40-69% viewed STUDENTS’ WORK their feedback within the same time frame.ranges as well as asking students to grade Reflecting on the project overall, we saw numerous benefits from the students’and rank exemplars. Depending on the size perspective: on-line feedback is easier to read, is automatically saved online and can be accessedof the group, this could involve students in private. From the markers’ perspective, there is no need for printing or scanningdiscussing with their colleagues, discussing for retention, more detailed comments can be given efficiently and the use of a librarywith the session leader or voting using bank of comments helps to avoid repetition. Electronic marking also complements onlineanonymous audience participation software. In the first iteration of this project, wechose modules with summative in-courseassignments that were somewhat unfamiliarto students e.g. a laboratory report at Stage 1, areflective log at Stage 2 and a grant applicationassignment at Stage 3. This ensured thatstudents had few pre-conceived ideas aboutthe structure and content of the assessmentand little or no expectation of the format offeedback to be received. When asked, studentsfrequently said that the most useful aspect ofthese tutorials was seeing examples of otherstudents’ work, rather than talking throughthe criteria or having the opportunity tomark work themselves. This was perhaps aresult of the types of assignment that werechosen and the students’ unfamiliarity withthose formats. After engaging studentswith the marking criteria, markers usedGradeMark® to provide feedback, whichincluded custom-built assignment-specificcomment libraries, and give an overall mark. Once feedback was returned to students,we collected their thoughts on the tutorialsand on the use of GradeMark® as a feedbacktool. Ninety-seven percent of students found ithelpful when feedback was linked to markingcriteria. Anecdotally it was reported to behelpful to see the grade range achieved byindividual parts of the assessment as well asthe overall mark; giving an indication of areasto work on in the future and also increasingtransparency. Other notable remarks werethat the majority of students preferredelectronic feedback to feedback on a pro- SEB+ 51
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TEACHING AND RESEARCH- FOCUSEDACADEMICS IN UK BY ANNE TIERNEY, EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITYAt the end of 2016 I was awarded a scoping grant WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?from the Society for Research in Higher Education(SA1635) to investigate brokering activities Academics in the UK are subject to competingbetween academics in Life Science departments in pressures and metrics, notably, the Researchthe UK. Brokering is described by Wenger (1998) Excellence Framework (REF), the Nationalas a process of exchange between individuals in Student Survey (NSS), Postgraduate Taughtcommunities of practice, and in my case, I proposed and Postgraduate Research Experiencethat teaching-focused and research-focused Surveys (PTES and PRES), and, in England,academics formed two related communities the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).of practice within higher education that Many universities have formally split thehad the potential to trade pedagogic academic role, and a new group of Teaching-and disciplinary knowledge focused academics has emerged, which hasand expertise. received some attention4. These academics are employed on Teaching and Scholarship 52 SEB+ contracts, and tend to take over the majority of teaching, currently mainly at undergraduate level, but increasingly, as the role evolves, at postgraduate-taught level. However, previous work3, 7 identified that Teaching- focused academics teaching at honours and postgraduate level were aware that, as time passed, their disciplinary expertise and knowledge became dated. This was especially noticeable in Life Sciences disciplines where the pace of research and knowledge accumulation was rapid. The loss of currency in both knowledge and expertise resulted in anxiety, and individuals reported that they often no longer felt that they were able to support students in research-related activities.
THE STUDY DEPARTMENTAL CULTURE THE FUTUREI interviewed a group of twenty-three Academics do not exist in isolation, and one There may be advantages to splitting theTeaching- or Research-focused academics of the enablers of exchange of expertise academic role and, as the numbers of Teaching-from eight UK universities, concentrating was the local, departmental culture. This is focused academics is growing4, it appears toon the ways that they exchanged not surprising, as it echoes the findings of be a successful strategy, as it allows research-pedagogic and disciplinary expertise. Roxå and Mårtensson (2011), who identified focused staff to concentrate on disciplinary Findings from the study were optimistic, strongly performing academic groups at the research and REF, while teaching-focusedas academics were able to identify a range micro level across a university in Sweden. staff concentrate on teaching and learning.of activities in which they exchanged I identified a range of cultures operating at However, if staff experience anxiety overexpertise, and updated their knowledge. different institutions. Some departments perceived loss of disciplinary expertise, thisOpportunities identified were both informal appeared to operate independently of is not something that should be ignored. It isand formal, the most productive of which were institutional culture. This matches Roxå vital, therefore, to provide opportunities andthose that individual academics sought out and Mårtensson’s (2011) description of a time for academics to exchange expertise. I amfor themselves, which could be tailored to microculture of excellence. Other departments currently preparing a manuscript for journalmatch their expertise, while also giving them operated at a more strategic level, working to publication, and I also hope to be able to sharethe opportunity to build on what they had the strengths of individual academics, but more detailed findings at SEB Florence 2018.done. Examples of productive opportunities always with an eye on opportunities for staffwere working in teams on evidence-based to be rewarded and promoted, also fitting 1. Cooperrider, D. (1986). Appreciative Inquiry: Toward acurriculum design and development, providing Roxå and Mårtensson’s (2011) description. Methodology for Understanding and Enhancing Organizationalexpertise in a funded research project, using A third operational strategy was to foreground Innovation (PhD). Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio.research data in learning innovations, and metrics and league tables as the focus forsupervising research students as part of departmental decision-making. While the 2. Cooperrider, D., & Whitney, D. (1999). Appreciative Inquiry:a team. first two departmental strategies were Collaborating for Change. Berrett-Koehler. supportive and encouraging for staff, the MANY UNIVERSITIES third strategy could be counter-productive 3. Gretton, S., &Raine, D. (2015). Reward and recognition for HAVE FORMALLY SPLIT as it resulted in decreased morale for the staff university teaching in STEM subjects. Journal of Further and THE ACADEMIC ROLE, working in such a culture. My previous work7 Higher Education, 41(3), 301–313. AND A NEW GROUP OF suggests that the Head of Department (in this TEACHING-FOCUSED case, someone in a strategic leadership role) 4. H ubbard, K., Gretton, S., Jones, K., &Tallents, L. (2015). ACADEMICS HAS EMERGED is vital for setting departmental culture, Challenges and opportunities for early-career Teaching- and this is borne out in the current study. A Focussed academics in the biosciences. F1000Research, 4(76). change in Head of Department may result in a change of departmental culture, which may be 5. Mohr, B. J., &Magruder-Watkins, J. (2002). The essentials of detrimental to academic staff working there. appreciative inquiry: A roadmap for creating positive futures. Conversely, a supportive Head of Department Pegasus Communications. may save an under-performing department by changing the focus from metrics and 6. R oxå, T., & Mårtensson, K. (2011). Understanding strong league tables to the potential of staff. academic microcultures - An exploratory study. University Cultivating a supportive atmosphere of Lund. within a department is important. The work of David Cooperrider1,2 which resulted in 7. Tierney, A. M. (2016). ’More than just a Teaching Fellow’ : the development of Appreciative Inquiry5 the impact of REF and implications of TEF on life science is worthy of note here, as it can be used to Teaching-Focused Academics in UK HEIs (Doctoral Thesis). promote a positive, creative atmosphere in Durham University, Durham. Retrieved from http://etheses. which staff are valued and developed, both in dur.ac.uk/11826/ terms of disciplinary research and scholarly teaching. This, in turn,results in a more 8. W enger, E. (1998). Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning positive learning atmosphere for students. and Identity. Cambridge University Press. Opposite Anne Tierney Photo credit: Sarah Murray SEB+ 53
EQUALITY AND BY OPENLY DISCUSSINGDIVERSITY AT EQUALITY AND INCLUSION THE SEB ISSUES AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH OUR BY TERESA G. VALENCAK ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS TO OVERCOMEEQUALITY AND DIVERSITY CONVENOR GROUP THESE WE CAN MAKE A VISIBLE DIFFERENCEImplementing a W ith this in mind, many Learned upcoming generation of experimental biologistscontemporary equality Societies, including the Society for will be equally represented as 50:50 men: women,and diversity strategy is a Experimental Biology (SEB), have just because more women are pushing into thechallenging task. Society is academic job market? Well, science tells us thischanging fast and academia set out to implement a roadmap on won’t happen easily. Rather, studies in thishas traditionally struggled context suggest that, as soon as men and womento keep up with it. What equality, diversity and inclusion. The roadmap are more equally represented, the actual wagecounts is that we need level drops and, even more astonishingly, thediversity and inclusion to will serve as a framework of guidance and societal recognition and the number of womenhelp us solve problems in in leading positions drops in such conditions.better ways and to identify support for all SEB members on issues related There is no need to be too pessimistic,new avenues, whether in though. Rather, the SEB as an important,scientific approaches or to gender, race, disability etc. In the specific international learned Society in the biologicalother challenges in the sciences, with over 2500 members, representsworking force. context of the SEB, an internationally active an ideal platform for establishing professional connections, collaborations and driving change. 54 SEB+ academic Society, the roadmap intends to raise Thus, it may significantly enhance and propel forward people’s careers - one major benefit awareness on equality of people originating of membership, if not the main purpose of an academic Society nowadays. And by openly from different nationalities, affiliations and discussing equality and inclusion issues, and working together with our members to overcome career stages. Over the past two years, the these, we can make a visible difference. With that in mind, dear reader, we need SEB+ Section of SEB, and the Equality and you. To make our roadmap a lively document as intended, we would like to invite you to Diversity convenor group worked to gain get involved in our activities by i) regularly attending the Diversity Dinner at the Annual commitment, identified and discussed the Meeting, ii) considering equal representation of gender, career stage and nationality when benefits and the limiting factors of the roadmap inviting speakers to the scientific sessions, iii) nominating women for the President’s Medal, in committee meetings, and elected Champions and iv) contacting us to make suggestions and foster discussions on this most important topic. and advocates to help promote this initiative. As an academic Society, the SEB in general and the SEB+ Section with its Equality and Diversity Last year, SEB Council signed off the roadmap. convenor group are just as lively as its members are. Thus, the more you feel the urge to foster We realised very quickly that we needed diversity and inclusion, the more you should get involved with us. We have just started the to do our homework first, articulating our aims process, but we would like to do more with your help. Get involved! so that we could then evaluate any impacts of Left the roadmap. To begin with, we are looking at Teresa Valencak Photo credit: gender equality, but in the future we will be Gary Manhine tackling other areas of equality and diversity. To establish a baseline, we looked at the active participation of women as presenting speakers at the SEB’s Annual Meetings, or as awardees of the President’s Medal in the different scientific areas. We identified the following status quo (Table 1). Table 1: Number of women SEB President’s Medallists 1990-2017 Animal Plant Cell EPA/SEB+ 5/22 6/21 4/18 6/9 The above numbers show that, with a contribution of ca. 25% to each of the animal, plant and cell sections, women are not yet as well represented among the medallists as they are in the current cohorts of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Will we therefore ‘just’ have to wait another couple of years until the
WORKING WITH MARINE PARKS BY ANDREAS FAHLMANE very animal biologist is faced with ethical, logistical and monetary burdens when performing research studies on animals,or when conducting field work. Studies onanimals in human care allow voluntaryparticipation, which enables the researcherto measure baseline physiological function ina stress-free animal. Studies on wild animals,on the other hand, are often limited as it isdifficult to control potentially confoundingvariables. However for those studyingethology or physiology on large marineanimals, marine parks and aquariums maybe one option for collecting data. Workingwith these facilities can be a successful with apnea, this is an excellent opportunity to opportunities to gather information in a safe obtain some data on an animal that performs and controlled environment that is virtuallypartnership that not only allows controlled this voluntarily. In addition, these facilities impossible in wild populations. provide an excellent opportunity to validatestudies on animals with minimal stress, and test equipment, and to train graduate 1. A . L. Epple, MSc, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, students before deployment in the field. Corpus Christi (2016).but also provides opportunities to share the Research within these facilities allows researchers, graduate students and volunteers 2. A. Fahlman, A. Epple, S. Loring, D. Garcia-Párraga, M.research with the public. In addition, working to be exposed to public speaking. Many Brodsky, paper presented at the 21st Biennial Conference on parks and aquariums offer the opportunity the Biology of Marine Mammals, San Francisco, 2015.with charismatic megafauna often allows to present the research to their public and talk to guests about the significance of the 3. A . Fahlman et al., Lung mechanics and pulmonary functionopportunities to communicate your research, work. Considering that many scientists find testing in cetaceans J. Exp. Biol. 218, 2030-2038 (2015). it difficult to discuss or present their work toits importance and impact to the media. the general public, this provides excellent 4. A. Fahlman, J. Madigan, Respiratory function in voluntary opportunities to practice discussing your participating Patagonia sea lions in sternal recumbency. Since 2012 we have had the opportunity research in layman’s terms. Working with Front. Physiol. 7, 1-9 (2016). large charismatic animals often attractsto work with a number of marine parks media attention, providing yet another outlet 5. A. Fahlman, M. J. Moore, D. Garcia-Parraga, Respiratory to publicise the research. Some, like Dolphin function and mechanics in pinnipeds and cetaceans. J. Exp.and aquariums on our research on diving Quest, even offer grant opportunities and most Biol. 220, 1761-1763 (2017). provide funding for conservation research.physiology in marine vertebrates. We Fromourexperience,wehighlyrecommend 6. C . Portugues et al., Impact of gas emboli and hyperbaric researchers to seek out opportunities to work treatment on respiratory function of loggerhead sea turtleshave studied respiratory physiology and with marine parks and aquariums. The (Caretta caretta). Conservation Physiology 6, 1-8 (2018). collaboration between researchers,energetics in a number of different species veterinarians and trainers, and the work 7. J . M. van der Hoop et al., Bottlenose dolphins modify with large marine vertebrates, has been behavior to reduce metabolic effect of tag attachment. J.(1-9). The baseline data are collected through extremely rewarding for us and we believe Exp. Biol. 217, 4229-4236 (2014). that the scientific community shouldvoluntary participation of the animals, using take the opportunity to work with these 8. A. Fahlman et al., Estimating energetics in cetaceans great institutions. They provide unique from respiratory frequency: why we need to understandmethods we have developed with animals physiology. Biol. Open. 15:5, 436-442 (2016).under managed care, and allow us to perform 9. A. Fahlman et al., in The 6th International Bio-Logging Science Symposium. (International Bio-logging Society,comparative studies with wild animals (10), Lake Constance, Germany, 2017).which has resulted in some interesting 10. A . Fahlman et al., Field energetics and lung function in wild bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasotafindings. Working with marine parks and Bay Florida. Royal Society Open Science 5, 171280 (2018).aquariums may be an under-utilized resource Above Dolphin Lung Studyfor researchers interested in studies on applied Photo credit: Courtesy of Dolphin Questbiology. In many places, marine mammalsare trained as part of the normal husbandryand animal care procedures and many ofthese behaviours can be slightly modifiedto allow studies on physiology. For example,dolphins are commonly trained to presenttheir tail flukes voluntarily and often do soventral side up. Consequently, for anyoneinterested in looking at changes associated SEB+ 55
TRAVEL GRANTS FABIO MIAZZI, MAX TO GO! PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR REPORTS FROM THE WINNERS OF THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS EARLY CAREER CHEMICAL ECOLOGY, SCIENTIST TRAVEL GRANTS GERMANY BY SABINA BABA Fabio travelled to the Federation of European56 SEB+ Neuroscience Societies -Hertie Winter School 2017 on “Neural control of behaviour - Series 1: Navigation” (Obergurgl, Austria) to present his research regarding the mechanisms of signal transduction in the olfactory sensory neurons of the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and how these signalling cascades help the fly to navigate in turbulent odour plumes. “The purpose of this meeting was primarily to bring together researchers studying animal navigation using two long-standing approaches. The first, an ethological/ecological approach, focuses on the nature of the sensory cues used by animals to find their way while the second, using psychology and neurobiology focuses on the cellular basis of space representation in the brain. The intent was to bridge the gap between the two and enable the exchange of ideas and methods to solve some of the long- standing questions in this research field. Before attending the course, I already had a general knowledge on the sensory basis of insect and bird navigation, as well as the cellular basis of space representation in the rat hippocampus and the enthorinal cortex. Attendance therefore represented a great opportunity for me to learn about some of the unpublished work of leading research groups and to understand what the current consensus was within the scientific community on some of the long-standing problems on animal navigation. One of the first issues to emerge was in the terminology itself: concepts, particularly some such as “navigation” and “map” have been defined in different ways throughout the literature, sometimes leading to misunderstandings and confusion. So, among the first questions from the students was the request to define some of the vocabulary used in this research field. Nobody had the pretentiousness to give the ultimate definition for these controversial terms, but it was a good way to establish a common basis for understanding and discussion throughout the meeting. Moreover, I had the chance to get a better understanding of some currently highly debated topics undergoing intense study, such as animal – in particular avian – magnetoreception. It was a great opportunity to learn about the physics behind the current models of light-dependent and independent magnetoreception and the behavioural
evidence supporting the use of such senses VANESSA DE SOUSA about the application of this strategy inin bird navigation. But also to understand what my project.information was missing, in particular the lack VIEIRA, OXFORD BROOKES One of the most successful collaborationsof identified receptor(s) and the nature of the during my PhD, with a group at the University ofconnected signalling transduction cascades. UNIVERSITY, UK Leeds who also works at the ER-Golgi interface Finally, a recurrent topic was the resulted from last year’s ENPER meeting. Weneed for a comparative approach to study Vanessa travelled to Prague, Czech Republic are currently optimising some experiments forthe neurobiological basis of animal to attend the 20th European Network for my project. After their presentations we hadnavigation. Data from mouse, rat and bat Plant Endomembrane Research (ENPER) very productive discussions about the workelectrophysiological recordings highlighted meeting, where she presented her research we are developing and we already have verycommonalities and differences in the way they entitled “The role of golgins at the promising preliminary results. This year theyencode the representation of their position and endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi interface”. presented some observations very similar tothat of goals in their environment. Meanwhile, This year’s ENPER meeting was organised what I observed in my experiments, so we thinkavian research on this aspect is lagging by Viktor Zarsky (Charles University) and Ivan there is probably something related that webehind, although it would be very important Kulich (Institute of Experimental Botany, can explore.to shed some light on the common features Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in I am very grateful for having been ablethey use to encode the representation of space, Prague). As this year marked the meeting’s to attend this conference as it is the mostand to know which of these are the result of 20th anniversary, the conference started with specific for my research topic and it was aadaptation to the animal’s ecology. On this a very special invited speaker - Prof. David great opportunity to present my work and getaspect, I was very surprised and excited to see Robinson, the founder of the ENPER meeting. feedback from experts in this field.some early research on non-model organisms His talk was controversial and motivatedsuch as solitary wasps and the goldfish. the audience to re-think the limitations and advantages of some plant systems for theAbove study of the plant endomembrane system.Fabio Miazzi Day 2 began with talks on the earlyRight compartments of the secretory pathway andVanessa De Sousa therefore my group introduced the first session on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and my talk followed later on the Golgi apparatus and its physical connection to the ER. The discussions after the talks were very productive and were an inspiration for discussion of the results I am presenting in my thesis, as well as for future work. Furthermore I learned that recently developed high-resolution imaging techniques are revealing fine detail in the structures of the endomembrane system. This represents great progress in plant cell biology studies and, as a result, we will have to review studies that were carried out using the old instruments. My favourite poster presentation was on a novel nanobody-epitope interaction-based labelling that was used to study recycling of vacuolar sorting receptors, which may have different applications to study different stages in the secretory pathway. This group from the University of Tubingen was very enthusiastic “I had the chance to get a better understanding of some currently highly debated topics undergoing intense study” Fabio Miazzi “One of the most successful collaborations during my PhD, with a group at the University of Leeds who also works at the ER-Golgi interface’ resulted from last year’s ENPER meeting” Vanessa de Sousa Vieira SEB+ 57
DANIEL MONTGOMERY, during the final 2 weeks, which allowed us JUAN CARLOS DE LA to practice techniques and concepts learnt UNIVERSITY OF EXETER, during the course in an experimental setting. CONCEPCION, JOHN INNES My current PhD project focuses on the UK effects of multiple climate change stressors CENTRE/ UNIVERSITY OF on physiology of UK marine fish. TheDaniel ventured to Friday Harbor Laboratory comprehensive overview of fish swimming EAST ANGLIA(San Jaun Island, Washington State, USA) to provided by the course will allow me to moreattend a training course on “Fish swimming: effectively conceive and design experiments Juan attended the 5th InternationalKinematics, Ecomorphology, Behaviour and related to swimming performance of fish to Conference on Biotic Plant Interaction inEnvironmental Physiology”. incorporate into my research at the University Xiamen, China where he presented his The 5 week fish swimming course at of Exeter. Covering of topics related to research on “Natural variation in a riceFriday Harbor Laboratories comprised of a behaviour and kinematics exposed me to immune receptor interface extends responseseries of lectures, laboratory research and an area of research that I have not had any to pathogen effectors”.field work. In the lecture series, sessions previous experience of. I found lectures on The 5th International Conference oncovering kinematics of swimming, predator- the schooling behaviour of fishes especially Biotic Plant Interactions (5th ICBPI) in Xiamenprey interactions and the escape response of interesting which led to investigating effects of attracted a huge number of delegates from allfish were particularly interesting. Although personality on schooling behaviour and escape over the world, working on a broad range ofmany biologists work with fish, we often response during our group research project. pathogens infecting several plant species.do not consider the fundamental processes This experience of conducting behavioural This meant that there was a great breadthof swimming and how these may impact research may influence the direction of my of different topics and so it was possible toon other ecological processes. Therefore research both during and following my PhD. learn about many different aspects of plant-spending a significant time discussing this Additionally I feel the breadth of the course microbe interactions. Not only were there wereduring the lecture series was fascinating. content, the level of detail in which each topic many different plenary speakers, but there Outside the lectures, we took part in was covered and exposure to new research was a large number of concurrent sessions,seining trips to collect fish to be used in topics will greatly enhance not just my current ordered by the types of pathogen, allowinglaboratory experiments. As well as providing research but also my future career. me to choose the most relevant for my project.a welcome break from the classroom, these trips This conference showcased the very latestwere an opportunity to learn about the various developments in my field, including many thatspecies of fish found in the Pacific Northwest, are not yet published. I found many of the talksan area in which I have not had the opportunity really inspiring for my work; some of themto work before. In particular, species such as presenting new paradigms and ground-breakingthe pacific spiny lumpsucker, silver spotted discoveries. I was also exposed to researchsculpin, pacific cod, bay pipefish and sturgeon carried out in many different pathosystems,poacher were all highlights of seine catches. which allowed me to uncover many different Laboratory workshops covered setting up approaches and techniques that I could apply toof flow tunnels and respirometry equipment, my own work. I got many new ideas of areas touse of elastomer tagging for individual ID and explore and new experimental techniques to trymethodologies for escape response experiments, in order to answer the questions I am pursuing.but the most useful part of the laboratory work Moreover, this conference gave me the broadwere the group research projects conducted overview of the big biological questions in plant pathology today. This will undoubtedly have a decisive impact on the direction of my future career, both in my PhD and beyond. Attending this meeting was invaluable for building my scientific career, providing me with contacts and the opportunity to network with international colleagues; especially58 SEB+
those from eastern countries who are often “This experience of conductingnot able to attend to EU/US meetings. I had behavioural research may influencethe opportunity to share my research with the direction of my research followingthis wide community in a poster format,meet some of the leaders in the field of Plant- my PhD”Pathogen interactions and discuss my results Daniel Montgomerywith them. Given that my research focuseson the rice blast pathogen, the connectionsI made with Asian scientists focused onrice pathology are exceptionally useful. The conference also had a great socialprogram and I had the opportunity to enjoy manyof the local customs and cuisine. The food wasa particular highlight and I especially liked theseafood of Xiamen. The conference organisersmade a special effort for us to experienceChinese culture, including organising atraditional dance, which was very impressive. As this was my first trip to Asia it reallyenabled me to expand my horizons. This tripdefinitely helped me grow as a scientist andas a person. JASON GOLDSTEIN, emails, phone calls, or even through social “I was exposed to research carried media. Firstly, I was able to meet a group of out in many different pathosystems, UNIVERSITY OF NEW crustacean scientists from New Zealand who which allowed me to uncover many were collectively looking at aspects of the deep- different approaches and techniques HAMPSHIRE, USA sea scampi lobster (Metanephrops challengeri) that I could apply to my own work” with emphasis on behaviour, physiology andJason travelled to the 11th International growth. There is virtually no data for this species Juan Carlos de la ConcepcionConference & Workshop on Lobster Biology and it represents a highly ‘data-poor’ fishery “This conference provided so many& Management (Portland, Maine USA) to system. I was able to give this group some helpfulpresent his research on “The Potential Effects information and look forward to working with opportunities to interact withof Acidified Seawater on American Lobster them more. Secondly, I befriended a fisheries scientists in and outside my areaChemosensory-mediated Behaviours”. oceanographer who I will now be collaborating The Conference was an exciting week with on meshing both fish and crustacean of study”of scientific presentations and discussions, species along with environmental data from Jason Goldsteinfeaturing presentations of interest to industry the Gulf of Maine in the Northwestern Atlantic.members, resource managers, biologists, In short, this conference provided so many Lefteconomists and social scientists. Lobsters of opportunities to interact with scientists in and Daniel Montgomerymany species were at the centre of scientific outside my area of study. Middleresearch and in the media spotlight and Juan Carloscollectively represent a marine environment Rightthat is increasingly under the pressures of Jason Goldsteinhuman exploitation and environmental change. Over 200 abstracts were presented acrossseveral thematic programs and I was incrediblylucky to have been able to focus my attentionon a few themes that were of particular value.These included a half-day session on ‘Behaviourand Neurobiology’ and another theme thatwas immensely didactic to me - ‘PhysiologicalResponses to Environmental Stressors’ – asession where I also presented my research. During the conference I had the opportunityto network with many colleagues which was sovaluable for my continued growth as a scientist.In particular there were two interactions withother delegates with that provided such a uniqueexchange that I could not have gleaned from SEB+ 59
MARINE DEBRIS: developed and marketed as disposable. It is this ARE THERE ‘throw-away’ attitude towards convenience plastics which Professor Thompson believes is at SOLUTIONS TO the heart of the problem. If current trends persist, THIS GLOBAL by 2025 we could be experiencing three times theENVIRONMENTAL volume of plastic pollution compared to today. A common answer to the problem of plastic PROBLEM? waste is recycling. Recycling can re-direct the flow of plastics after use but relies on several BY SHANICE FAGAN AND SHONAGH BELL factors to be successful. Firstly, the product needs to be designed so that not only can it be recycled,Richard Thompson, L itter in the ocean is a growing but also so that it is cost-effective for the recycler.a professor at Plymouth problem and, while it consists of a For instance, the coloured dye added to plasticUniversity and an expert in variety of substances, the majority of drinks bottles significantly reduces their easethe field of microplastics, marine litter is plastic. Plastic waste of recycling. Professor Thompson believes thatrecently delivered a public effective labelling, such as a traffic light systemlecture at the University has now been found in all areas of the ocean, indicating the impact of the packaging on theof the West of Scotland, environment, could be used to raise awarenesssponsored by the Society including in previously unexplored areas of deep in consumers and drive companies to look forfor Environmental Biology. alternative, environmentally-friendly materialsHere Shanice Fagan sea. Plastic can be found in a range of sizes from for packaging.and Shonagh Bell, two Biodegradable plastic is another proposedundergraduate students macroplasticstomicroplastics,withanestimated solution. It is important to remember, however,from University of West that one of the most useful traits that plasticScotland present their 17MT entering the environment annually. has is its durability. Any packaging whichperspectives on the lecture. biodegrades enough to cause no harm to the Professor Thompson explained the environment is likely to be of little use for packaging. Additionally, many products which potential threat to wildlife that plastic waste are labelled as ‘biodegradable’ either require extreme conditions never encountered in a poses - with more than 300 scientific papers natural environment to degrade or result in the same amount of plastic waste but in a fragmented published on the subject, 700 species which form. Even a small amount of biodegradable material mixed in with non-biodegradable encounter plastic waste have been identified, plastic can be detrimental for recycling. In conclusion we learnt that there is no 17% of which are threatened or near threatened. simple solution to this global environmental problem. What is clear is that plastic itself is Seabirds are a particular cause for concern not the enemy; we must move away from our ‘throw-away’ culture and apply pressure to with many species found entangled in plastic companies to design products with an end-of- life strategy that minimises environmental debris or with plastic in their digestive system. impact while allowing the benefits of plastics to be retained. However, the fact that a species encounters THE ‘THROW-AWAY’ plastic waste is not conclusive evidence ATTITUDE TOWARDS CONVENIENCE PLASTICS that it causes harm; Professor Thompson IS BELIEVED TO BE THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM highlighted the need for research that seeks to understand the actual harm caused by plastics. An interesting discussion point of the seminar was whether plastic materials are intrinsically ‘bad’. In fact, plastic is a very practical material; it is cheap to manufacture and offers many benefits. For example, its ability as packaging to extend the life of food and drink reduces the global problem of food wastage. For around 60 years, however, plastic has been60 SEB+
SOCIETY FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY PRESENTS:SEB SEVILLE 20192–5 JULY 2019FIBES CONFERENCE ANDEXHIBITION CENTRESEBIOLOGY.ORG#SEBAMM FLAMEN-GO TO SEVILLECONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS• 9 PARALLEL SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS IN PLANT, CELL AND ANIMAL BIOLOGY• N ETWORK WITH OVER 800 DELEGATES FROM ALL AROUND THE GLOBE• O PPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS-COLLABORATION AND INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING• S UBMIT YOUR RESEARCH FOR ORAL AND POSTER PRESENTATION• C AREER WORKSHOPS FOR YOUNG RESEARCHERS• S EB+ EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS• T RAVEL GRANTS FOR STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS
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SOCIETY FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY PRESENTS:SEB FLORENCE 20183–6 JULY 2018FIRENZE FIERA CONGRESSAND EXHIBITION CENTRESEBIOLOGY.ORG#SEBAMM MASTERS OF BIOLOGYSESSION TOPICS WILL INCLUDE: ANIMAL BIOLOGY OTHER ANIMAL BIOLOGY SESSIONS CELL BIOLOGY • O PEN ANIMAL BIOLOGYSCIENCE ACROSS BIOMECHANICS • F UNCTIONAL ORGANISATION OFBOUNDARIES – ANIMAL, • B IOMECHANICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE PLANT BIOLOGY THE NUCLEAR PERIPHERYPLANT AND CELL BIOLOGY • OPEN BIOMECHANICS • C LIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON URBAN • GREEN MICROBESENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE DRIVERS AND NATURAL FORESTS • S EQUENCING FROM LAB TO FIELDON EPIGENETIC MEMORY OF BEHAVIOUR(PLANT AND ANIMAL BIOLOGY) • G ENERALITY OF THE ‘PACE-OF-LIFE • E NHANCING PLANT PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND THE POST GENOMIC ERA WITH BIOPHYSICAL CO2 • S YSTEMS ANALYSES OFSTRESS: FROM CELLULAR MECHANISMS SYNDROME’ CONCEPT: IS THE CONCENTRATING MECHANISMSTO ORGANISMAL RESPONSES AND IDEA OF INTEGRATED SYNDROMES MULTICELLULARITY COMPLEXITYCONSERVATION SUPPORTED BY EXPERIMENTAL DATA? • F ROM GENOME TO GENOMES AND ORGAN BIOLOGY(ANIMAL AND CELL BIOLOGY) • INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION • M ORPHOGENESIS IN NON-FLOWERING • Q UANTITATIVE SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY• P UMPING IONS AS A RESPONSE TO IN RESPONSES TO STRESS: WHY INDIVIDUALS MATTER? PLANTS SEB+ STRESS FROM AQUATIC HABITAT • T HE ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL • P LANT BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH TRANSITIONS: CELLULAR AND VARIATION IN THE BEHAVIOUR • T EACHING BIOLOGY AT DIFFERENT MOLECULAR MECHANISMS RELATED OF ANIMAL GROUPS AND NUTRITION SCALES: CHALLENGES, TO EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES • P LANT TEMPERATURE RESPONSES: OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES• T HE ROLE OF THE MITOCHONDRIA THERMOBIOLOGY IN ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATION • CARDIO-RESPIRATORY ADAPTATIONS SHAPING DEVELOPMENT AND • C AREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND DISEASE ENHANCING SURVIVAL? FOR YOUNG RESEARCHERS• A DVANCES IN NON-INVASIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE • S HAPING ROOT ARCHITECTURE MONITORING OF STRESS IN THE • M ITOCHONDRIA IN CHANGING - FROM NUTRIENT SENSING AND • DIVERSITY DINNER FIELD AND LABORATORY: TROPISMS TO SYSTEMIC SIGNALS • E MBRACING YOUR ANIMAL CARE, APPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION CLIMATES: BIOSENSORS AND AND DECISION MAKING MEDIATORS OF ANIMAL RESILIENCE WELFARE AND USE COMMITTEE -GENERAL CELL AND PLANT BIOLOGY • O CEAN WARMING AND ACIDIFICATION: A WIN-WIN SITUATION(CELL AND PLANT BIOLOGY) WHAT UNDERLYING MECHANISMS • M EET THE ACADEMICS CAN REVEAL ABOUT IMPACTS OF MULTIPLE STRESSORS
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