To be held on Thursday 6 November 2008, the Biomedical Sciences Ball is the first event of its kind in the school. This event has been organised by Postgraduate students and will combine end of year functions, including the famous Christmas party. Awards, prizes and Guest Speaker Dr Ethan Scott should make the evening a fun and entertaining one. Tickets are now on sale at the Skerman Reception.
Those in the market to buy a venetian mask please go here. A 15% discount will be offered (discount code is bal08 or mention SBMS Ball). Should be a great night.

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Exam Dates for Second Semester

Please note that examinations will be run on the following dates:

End of Semester Exams: November 1st to 15th
Special and Supplementary Exams: December 10th to 12th

If you have questions included in examinations and intend taking leave during these periods (and the following week), please let Leanne Brennan (51835) or Simone Fox (51071) know ASAP.

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Biomedical Research Awards - Winter
The Winter round of the Research Award was taken out by Sarah Jansen - Congratulations Sarah!

Jansen S, Pantaleon M, Kaye PL. Characterization and regulation of monocarboxylate cotransporters Slc16a7 and Slc16a3 in preimplantation mouse embryos. Biol Reprod. 2008 Jul;79(1):84-92.

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October Courses 2008 - Occupational Health and Safety

The Occupational Health and Safety Unit will be conducting courses in August. Details are outlined below:

Chemical Risk Assessment Database Training – 2 Hours
9th October, 10:30am – 12:30pm Building 33, Rooms 102 & 104

Dangerous Goods Transport within UQ – 2 Hours
16th October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm TEDI Seminar Rm, Building # 15

Risk Assessment Database Training - 1.5 Hours
9th October, 9:00 - 10:30am Building 33, Rooms 102/104
Biological Safety

Requirements for working with Biological Material – 2 Hours
15th October, 9:00am – 11:00am QBI Auditorium, Level 7.

Working with Quarantine Material – 2 Hours
20th October, 9:00am – 11:00am TEDI Seminar Rm, Building # 15

For detailed course descriptions  and to register, please contact the Teaching and Educational Development Institute on extension 53019.  Alternatively, email the Staff Development Administrator on StaffDev@tedi.uq.edu.au or visit TEDI’s website     

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Campbell, Gordon Conference / Rec - September 15 - October 3
Chen, Chen Conference- October 10 – November 3
Curlewis, Jon LSL - October 27 - November 15
Delaney, Andrew Recreation- September 22 - October 3
Marshall, Justin Recreation - September 12 - October 6
Martinac, Boris Conference -September 29 - October 2
McManus, Mick October 17 - December 17
Poronnik, Phil Conference - October 31 - November 13
Woodruff, Trent  Conference - August 22 - October 8

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New Finance System Update

Hello Everyone,
Firstly, I would like to inform everyone that we are nearing completion of a pivotal step in the transition process. The UniFi team has almost finished collecting all of the current account data to convert it into the new account string.  Once this process has been completed they will begin to issue new account and project numbers. We will know more once this process begins.
Secondly, I hope the meeting with Nicole Cottrell was informative and educational, leaving everyone with a better picture of what to expect in the coming months. If not, I will remind you with a quick summary of what was discussed: We reiterated the need for an early close-off of the purchasing system in late November, we were made aware of the new web-based purchasing system and how it is superior to iBuy, we were introduced to new credit application procedures when dealing with new customers, we were informed of the changes with regards to the issuing of Grant Record Letters, and the new budgeting requirements, and finally we were introduced to the new 21-digit account string. Nicole's powerpoint here. If anyone would like a more in-depth revision please feel free to contact me at sbmsfinance@uq.edu.au
Thanks,
Tom Orth
Project Officer

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Responding to climate change - the choice is yours.

On September 4th, approximately 90 people attended UQ's Response to Climate Change Forum, where Keynote speaker Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and P&F staff provided some thought-provoking presentations on challenges and opportunities facing the University and all staff members in the near future.  The threat of climate change provides UQ with a great opportunity as a leader in research and education.  We should be providing innovative solutions to help reduce impacts and provide a model others can follow to adapt to expected change.  It requires a response from all levels of organisation, in both operations and education and the behaviour of staff and students. We have already begun to quantify our emissions and are finding ways to reduce these in response to State and Federal legislation that will come into affect as of next year.  Current and future initiatives being implemented at UQ were discussed, along with ideas attendees considered were the most important issues related to climate change that UQ should consider. For more info.

One obvious area that staff can directly contribute immediately is in travel:
Over half of indirect emissions come from staff flights

• Let campus travel know you would like to offset your carbon emissions each time you fly

For daily trips:

• Catch the bus
• Drive part way and catch public transport, or walk the rest
• Ride your bike
• And if you really have no other options,at least give someone else a lift in your car!

Take a healthy ride or walk, relax on the bus or train and read a book, or get stuck in stressful traffic jams?

If you want something to read on your leisurely train or bus ride into work, I can recommend a couple of books that were featured at this years Brisbane Writers Festival, run with the support of UQ.  The authors gave some passionate presentations on current climate change and the future we could face.  Find out more on the books and authors.
Climate Wars by Gwynne Dyer
A Reef in Time by J.E.N Veron
Seasick by Allana Mitchell

The latest science indicates that if CO2 levels are allowed to reach 450ppm in the atmosphere, predicted changes in ocean chemistry will see coral reefs eroding faster than they can grow, spelling the end of the Great Barrier Reef as we know it today and setting conditions for ecosystem collapse.  Coral reefs would be just the first domino to fall of species and ecosystems if you allow climate change to continue as it is.  If we make the wrong choices, collapse of reef ecosystems and the loss of services they provide for millions of people, rising global conflict as a result of water scarcity in glacier-fed regions, sea level inundation of major cities and continued loss of income, infrastructure and life from climate-fed storms are just some of the likely consequences we and our children will have to deal with in some way or another.    
With 387ppm of CO2 currently in the atmosphere and steadily rising, the next decade may prove the most important for us all in terms of the decisions we make as individuals, a university and a society.

The choice is yours!  Make your contribution starting today!

Dave Logan
CoralWatch Project Manager
Ext: 54080
E-mail: d.logan@uq.edu.au

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