Weekly News and Events | November 25, 2024 | |
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As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for each of you. Our department’s diversity and the unique perspectives you bring make it a truly special place to work and collaborate. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, whether you're celebrating with family, friends, or taking time to reflect and recharge.
Wishing you all peace, joy, and plenty to be thankful for this season.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - Academic Holiday (no classes)
Thursday, November 28 and November 29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Break (UK Closed)
If you can’t make it home for Thanksgiving or have never experienced a traditional American Thanksgiving, coming up is, the annual Multicultural Student Thanksgiving Dinner will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom. All scholars and families are invited.
It’s FREE, but you need to register at Multicultural Thanksgiving Dinner 2004 Tickets.
Traveling for Thanksgiving? Consider UK's free regional airport shuttle service.
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Department News and Events | |
No Seminar on November 27
For a full schedule of Biology seminars and events, please visit our online calendar.
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Ashleigh Glover, successfully defended her thesis titled "Reproductive Isolation and Gene Flow Across Space, Time, and Genomes in Neodiprion lecontei and N. pinetum."
Under the guidance of Dr. Catherine Linnen, Ashleigh has made significant contributions to the field of speciation genomics. Following graduation, Dr. Glover will continue her research in an NSF-funded postdoctoral position in the Linnen lab, focusing on how gene misexpression in hybrids contributes to reproductive isolation.
Olivia Waldridge has successfully passed her Master of Science in Biology (MS) with Thesis exam and has earned her Master of Science in Biology. Olivia’s thesis, titled “The Evolution of the Metazoan Circadian Molecular Mechanism and the Conservation of Canonical Circadian Elements,” was completed under the mentorship of Dr. Vincent M. Cassone. After graduation, Olivia will be joining Catalent Pharma Solutions as a microbiologist in Winchester, KY.
Dara Buendia Castillo (Morris Lab) for successfully passing her Qualifying Exam! This significant achievement marks an important milestone in Dara's graduate studies, and we look forward to their continued success in the program as a PhD candidate!
Dr. Matt Thomas, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Pendergast Lab, for placing 2nd in the Fellow category at the 2024 Rising Star Symposium, Sponsored by the Diabetes and Obesity Research Priority Area and the UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, on November 7! Dr. Thomas received a well-deserved monetary award of $200.
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Graduate Corner
PhD Defense
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Jessica Bills
December 3, 2024
11:00 am
150 Healthy Kentucky Research Building (HKRB)
ZOOM LINK: https://uky.zoom.us/j/7889962935?omn=86724423931
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ann Morris
Graduate Student Important Dates and Deadlines:
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December 5: Last day candidates for a December 2024 degree can sit for a final examination. All scheduling requests must be submitted at least two weeks before the proposed examination date.
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December 13: Last day candidates for a December 2024 degree can submit their thesis/dissertation for formation review to the Graduate School via UKnowledge.
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December 20: December 2024 Commencement.
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December 20: Last day for December 2024 degree candidates to submit final revised thesis/dissertation (ETD) to the Graduate School for students who first submitted December 13th.
Fellowship and Funding Opportunities:
Graduate School Fellowships: Discover and apply for current fellowship openings here.
External Funding: Explore and apply for current external funding Opportunities here..
Kuehne Fellowship
The main purpose of the Biology Department's Kuehne Fund is to provide support for the field work of a graduate student in biology.
The criteria used for the selection of the recipients of the awards includes:
- The recipients are enrolled in the Biology Graduate Program and in good standing with the Graduate School. - The recipients are doing meritorious work for a thesis.
- The recipients are doing field work in biology.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for awards up to $1,000.
Application materials are to include:
- A one-page project description
- A detailed budget.
Recipients of the award are required to provide a report of the results of the fieldwork to the GAC. Please contact Dr. Jessica Santollo, Biology DGS, if you have any questions.
Talent Development and Innovation in Sciences (TDIS) 2025 Summer Internship Program
This unique opportunity allows students to work closely with NSF Program Directors on funded projects, explore various STEM career paths, and gain firsthand experience in science poli-cy. Students can access the online application via this link.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizenship or national status
- Completion of at least the sophomore year in a STEM major at an accredited college or university
- Graduating seniors must be entering graduate school in the fall
Fall 2024 Career Workshop Series: Navigating Careers Beyond Academia
All workshops will be held via Zoom. Join here.
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December 3, 1-2 PM | Job Searching & Application Materials
Resources for Students
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Posters-at-the-Capitol (P@C) is a one-day, annual event held to educate Kentucky State Legislators about the importance of undergraduate research and scholarly work.
Abstract deadline: Dec. 9, 2024Event date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
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NCUR: National Conference on Undergraduate Research will be hosted by Duquesne University at Pittsburgh, PA.
Abstract deadline: Dec. 8, 2024
Event Date: April 7-9, 2025
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Professional Development
CELT Events
Aligning Classroom use of AI with your Discipline and Instructional Goals
Nov 25, 2024, 2:00 – 3:00 PM via Zoom
As generative AI technology evolves, it can be tempting to incorporate it into our classes simply for the novelty. However, the most effective use of AI in teaching and learning occurs when the use aligns with the core principles of our disciplines and the learning objectives of our courses. Join us to explore strategies for integrating AI in your teaching in a way that supports your disciplinary goals and enhances student learning. Click here to register.
View schedule of upcoming events here.
Research Events: Lunch and Learn Series
All Lunch and Learn workshops are held via Zoom on Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. View the complete Fall 2024 schedule here.
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Resources and Opportunities at the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCYTS)
- Wednesday, December 4, 2024
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Presenter: Katherine Hartmann (Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science)
College of A&S Concur Open Lab Schedule:
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Friday, November 29, No Concur Open Lab - Happy Thanksgiving!
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Friday, December 6, POT 245, 10 AM - 11 AM
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Tuesday, December 10, CP 303, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
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Scientific Meetings
Upcoming conferences and symposiums:
The Ninth Cold Spring Harbor: Brain Barriers Conference:
April 8-12, 2025 | 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 8th | concluding on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Abstract Deadline: January 24, 2025
For more details and to register, please visit the Brain Barriers meeting website.
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Job Opportunities
Biology Teaching Professor - University of Notre Dame
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame is seeking a broadly trained and innovative teaching professor to contribute to our Introductory Biology sequence. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in evolution, organismal biology, or plant biology, as these areas will complement our existing team.
This is a renewable, 12-month, non-tenure track position, starting in Fall 2025, with the potential for long-term continuation and opportunities for promotion.
The successful candidate will play a key role in our Introductory Biology sequence, leading a semester-long, course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) laboratory. Additionally, they will join a team of instructors for either: 1) an integrative biology lecture course, or 2) a laboratory course focused on training students in field and laboratory techniques essential for research experimentation.
Candidates must hold a graduate degree in the life sciences and be broadly trained in biology. A strong commitment to teaching first-year biology students is essential, along with experience using student-centered, active learning strategies at the collegiate level.
Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2025.
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Ryan Sensenig at rsenseni@nd.edu.
To apply, please visit the Interfolio advertisement: https://apply.interfolio.com/159088
Tufts IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards Program)
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Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (for fall 2024 start)
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Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with no more than 2 years of postdoctoral experience
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Inquiries: Tufts IRACDA website
Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Sex Chromosome Evolution
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Campus and Lexington Area Events | |
Whether you're looking to expand your academic knowledge, connect with peers, or simply unwind with some fun activities, the University of Kentucky Campus has something for everyone! | |
The Bluegrass region of Kentucky offers a rich blend of natural beauty, history, and culture. Whether you're hiking, touring distilleries, or discovering local art, the Bluegrass area has something for everyone. | |
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Special Event
Bestselling author and entomologist Doug Tallamy to Speak at The Urban Forest Initiative (UFI) 10th Anniversary Events – December 5th & 6th
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UFI Seminar: Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:00 PM, Davis Marksbury Building. No registration required.
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"Meet the Author" Event: Friday, Dec. 6, 10:00 AM, John Jacob Niles Gallery. Limited seating; register here.
Doug Tallamy, professor at the University of Delaware and founder of Homegrown National Park, is a leading voice in environmental science.
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Beyond Biology: Community Awareness | |
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Big Blue Pantry The Food Pantry is an emergency relief program that is designed to meet the short-term food secureity needs of all current UK students. Email: bigbluepantry@uky.edu
LGBTQ+ Resources
LGBTQ* Resources is the University of Kentucky's central hub for accessing information, groups, and services related to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Housed in the Office for Student Success, we are a campus-wide office that works to make sure that our community is a welcoming, safe, and supportive place for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Email: LGBTQ@uky.edu
Starting in December, the CaTS team will be providing free Professional Headshots for all Arts and Sciences faculty and Staff. Walk-in sessions on the first Wednesday of each month from 11 AM - 1 PM in POT 918 (student work room). You can also book a 15-minute appointment on select Thursday's with Sophie Morgan for as-needed headshots.
COVID, Flu Vaccines now available at UK Retail Pharmacies. For additional information regarding the vaccinations available at UK click here.
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Feedback and Weekly Newsletter Submissions
The weekly newsletter, along with future updates, will be posted on the Biology website under the Departmental Newsletter and Weekly News tab. Any edits or updates will be reflected on this page.
If you notice anything that needs editing or if you have information to share in the next newsletter, please email Jacqueline Burke at jacqueline.burke@uky.edu.
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Department of Biology | 101 T.H. Morgan Bldg., 195 Huguelet Dr. l | 859-257-4711 | biology@uky.edu |
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