The GCC Weekly | Mar 7, 2023

The GCC WEEKLY | March 7, 2023

GCC Affiliate Luis Escobar Receives NSF CAREER Award

Dr. Luis Escobar, assistant professor in the department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award to better understand how climate change is going to influence the spillover transmission of viruses, both between wildlife species and to human populations.

Program Solicitation: Synthesis Center for Understanding Organismal Resilience

NSF IOS seeks to establish a new Synthesis Center to advance our ability to explain and predict organismal resiliency and plasticity in response to complex and dynamic environmental circumstances encountered over a lifespan through the synthesis of varied data sets and types that bridge multiple scales and levels.

Funding Opportunity: 2023 Water Resources Research Act 104g

The Water Resources Research Act Program grants are administered in cooperation between the US Geological Survey and the Water Resources Research Institutes and Centers. Contact GCC Affiliate Kevin McGuire with questions.

National Competitive Grants (General)
Aquatic Invasive Species Competitive Grants - only for work taking place in Upper MS River basin
Per-and Polyflouroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Competitive Grants

Notice of Intent to Apply is March 15

Job Opportunities: USGS Water Mission Area Cluster Hire

The USGS HQ Water Mission Area is planning to hire nearly a dozen interdisciplinary scientists and/or physical scientists. This is a cluster hire for permanent federal positions at multiple levels of experience (GS11/12 and GS12/13).

The positions have application caps meaning the application period may close prior to the end date listed on the vacancies.

Postdoc Opportunity: Mellon Environmental Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Department of Biology and Program in Environment and Sustainability at William & Mary invites applications for a two-year, non-tenure track position of Mellon Environmental Postdoctoral Fellowship to Advance Diversity in the Environmental Sciences that will begin August 10, 2023. The committee seeks an individual with expertise in any environmental science related discipline.

Application Review Begins March 15

Davide Foffa

Geosciences

Dr. Foffa’s research focuses on the macroevolution of terrestrial and marine tetrapods during the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic. He is particularly interested in the paleoecology of vertebrate ecosystems through major events (e.g. mass extinctions). Dr. Foffa’s work includes the anatomy, systematics and biomechanics of a variety of terrestrial and marine vertebrates. The primary objective is to explore the changes in taxonomic and ecological composition and diversity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems through time, and in response to environmental changes. His current project at Virginia Tech and the University of Birmingham investigates the impact the Permian-Triassic mass extinction had on land ecosystems and how ecological diversity was re-built in the aftermath.

LECTURES & SEMINARS

Transport of microbes at interfaces

Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens (CeZAP) Seminar

David Schmale

Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

Thursday, Mar 16

12:30 PM ET

Fralin Hall Auditorium

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Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) Seminar

Luis Zaman

University of Michigan

Thursday, Mar 16

3:30 PM ET

Fralin Hall Auditorium

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How do you get research into policy hands in a crisis?

Science, Technology & Engineering in Policy (STEP) Seminar

Emily Backes

Societal Experts Action Network, National Academies

Friday, Mar 17

12:00 PM ET

Norris Hall 209

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Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWR) Seminar

Herek Clack

University of Michigan

Friday, Mar 17

2:30 PM ET

Durham Hall 261

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the University of Washington will convene U.S. Government officials with climate, sustainability, and resilience leaders and educators from colleges and universities across the country for a virtual forum. A series of speakers and panel discussions will showcase how innovative ideas and actions can support climate change efforts on college campuses while benefitting the surrounding communities and beyond.

Wednesday, March 8 at 1:00 PM ET

Virtual Forum

Upcoming STEP Spring Seminars

The weekly STEP seminar provides a space for informative presentations and discussions around work at the science-policy interface. While graduate students may register for credit, the seminar is open to all VT community members. The next talk of the spring series is titled "How do you get research into policy hands in a crisis", by Emily Backes, a member of the National Academies Societal Experts Action Network.

Friday, March 17 at 12:00 PM ET

Noriss Hall 209

Virginia Tech Principles of Community Week is March 13 - 17

Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community Week is our annual celebration of the fundamental concepts that support InclusiveVT, our institutional and individual commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. These principles reinforce our aspirations for a diverse and inclusive campus, where we can freely express and explore ideas in an atmosphere of empathy, civility, and mutual respect.

This year’s theme is Moving from Words to Action. During the week of March 13 - 17, faculty and staff have the opportunity to participate in twenty-one workshops to learn skills for calling people into community and holding each other and ourselves accountable. There are also links to self-directed learning opportunities. Workshop topics include conflict resolution, mindfulness, communication, and more!

GCC Affiliate Leighton Reid is Bringing New Life to Degraded Forests in Madagascar

A team of researchers, led by undergraduate student Chris Logan and Leighton Reid, associate professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, is working with international partners to protect and restore forests in Madagascar by testing shade structures, species, and soil amendments.

GCC Affiliate Amy Pruden Speaks About Antimicrobial Resistance at Global Leaders Group Meeting

As an expert in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and lead author of the United Nations Environment Programme antimicrobial resistance spotlight report, Amy Pruden was invited to speak at the Quadripartite Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance held Feb. 7 in Barbados.

Do you have an opportunity or announcement you'd like to share with the GCC community? Send us an email!

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