Gator Grad Care Enrollment closes 9/14

The GatorGradCare enrollment site is open for the 2014-2015 policy year.  All eligible graduate assistants, research assistants, teaching assistants and pre-doc fellows must submit a 2014-2015 online enrollment if they would like to be covered under the plan.  The deadline for Annual GatorGradCare enrollment is September 14, 2014.  Plan participants must re-enroll each academic year they are eligible for GatorGradCare.  GatorGradCare enrollment is not automatic.  

 GatorGradCare enrollment files transferred to the insurance company include the last local home mailing address listed in PeopleSoft.  The street number, street name, and apartment number, if applicable, must be listed in Address Line 3.  GatorGradCare participants should maintain valid mailing addresses in PeopleSoft and should notify the GA Benefits Office of any address changes during the year. 

GatorGradCare eligibility requirements and other important plan information can be found on the GatorGradCare section of the Human Resources website.  Questions regarding GatorGradCare eligibility or enrollment should be directed to the GA Benefits Office by emailing gabenefits@admin.ufl.edu.

9/22/14: Deadline to Apply for 2014 Graduate Student Mentoring Award

The UF I-Cubed Program is accepting applications for the 2014 Graduate Student Mentoring Award. This award recognizes UF graduate students who take time to help others succeed as graduate or undergraduate students or in K-12 classrooms (i.e., working with K-12 students and/or teachers). The award is particularly designed to acknowledge the mentoring contribution from the graduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, including SBE (Social, Behavioral and Economic) sciences. Up to 6 awards will be given and the awardees will be officially announced during Graduate Student Research Day on October 28th, 2014. Applicants must be a UF graduate student in either a PhD or Master’s program at the time of application.

•  Awards will be given to student-mentors who provided or currently provide: 
•  Peer-to-peer mentoring of graduate students 
• Mentoring of undergraduate students 
• Mentoring in a K-12 classroom (working with K-12 students and/or teachers) 

Application packages are due by 5:00PM on September 22, 2014.

For full details on the Graduate Student Mentoring Award, visit http://i3.institutes.ufl.edu/funding-2/nsf-funding/i-cubed-graduate-student-mentoring-award/

This award is co-sponsored by UF’s Graduate School and the I-Cubed Program.

9/18/14: Deadline to Register for Graduate Student Fellowships Workshop

The Graduate School is hosting the Graduate Student Fellowships Workshop on September 22, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Reitz Union Auditorium.

Our goal is to continue to present in detail different funding opportunities for graduate students. Throughout the day there will be three sessions that outline different fellowships. The fellowships will be represented: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellowship, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF-GRFP) and Graduate Fellowships and Grants for the Humanities.
Graduate Student Fellowships Workshop Agenda

• 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Dr. Bonnie Effros - Graduate Fellowships and Grants for the Humanities 
• 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.: Dr. Treavor Boyer – The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Dr. Paul Gulig – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellowship 

Register for the workshop here — https://ufl.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1FA7yRnoXMdhKuN — by September 18, 2014.

To download a PDF flyer for this event, click here: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/files/fellowship-workshop.pdf.

If you have questions concerning the Graduate Student Fellowships Workshop, please e-mail Britney Sheffield at bsheffield@aa.ufl.edu or telephone her at 352-392-8359.

Pre-Register Now For UF Teaching Center Workshops for Teaching Assistants!

The Teaching Center conducts several workshops each semester which are designed to help new teaching assistants improve their teaching. Workshops begin Thursday of this week with “Technology for Teaching in UF Classrooms” from 10am-noon in TUR L005. This session will introduce you to the equipment in UF classrooms. On Friday, we will have an “Introduction to Sakai” in the morning and an “Introduction to Canvas” in the afternoon. (Both are online course management systems.) You may attend the Thursday session in TUR L005 without registration because there is plenty of space for you, but YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR EITHER OF THE TWO FRIDAY SESSIONS IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND because there are only 20 computers and we must set up an account for you before the workshop. You may register for these and any other workshops that interest you at http://www.teachingcenter.ufl.edu under "TA Development" and then “Workshop Series.” For further information call 392-2010.

PhDMoms host event to bring fun and information

Food, fun, and information is the theme for this year’s big welcoming event organized by PhDMoms, one of the University of Florida’s student organizations.

Student-Families, particularly those new to UF and Gainesville, have unique questions and concerns, and PhDMoms started hosting this event last year to cater specifically to their needs. Last year’s event was very successful with around 350 people attending.

This year there will be tons of information tables from UF and local organizations, bounce houses for the children, face paint, games, door prizes (UF Bookstore Gator Swag, Satchels Gift Card, among others), free food, and a visit of Albert and Alberta (from 12 to 1pm).

Date: Saturday August 23rd
Time 10am - 1pm. Registration opens at 9:30am
Cost: FREE! (Registration for liability only)
Where: Corry Village Commons (off Village Drive)

Co-Sponsors: Student Government, UF Graduate and Family Housing, Office of Student Affairs, GAU, Mayors’ Council, Graduate Student Council.

Facebook event page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/410586105748279/?fref=ts

Email PhDMoms for more information: ufphdmoms@gmail.com

U.S. Borlaug Fellows Graduate Research Grant Application

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
U.S. Borlaug Fellows Graduate Research Grant Application Deadline: Monday, November 10, 2014

The U.S. Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security graduate research grant supports exceptional graduate students who are interested in developing a component of their graduate research in a developing country setting and in collaboration with a mentor from an International Agricultural Research Center (IARC) or a qualifying National Agricultural Research System (NARS) unit. U.S. citizenship is required, and applicants must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. graduate program at the time of application.

A program summary is attached, and application materials are available at the program website<http://www.purdue.edu/borlaugfellows>.

Questions may be sent to borlaugfellows@purdue.edu<mailto:borlaugfellows@purdue.edu>.

Meredian Bioplastics Biochemical Bioprocess Engineer position

CRC ID#760199
Meredian Bioplastics Inc. is a world class Biotechnology Company focused on bringing biodegradable polymers into wide scale use through innovative and patented technology. Our Research and Development Division is currently seeking a Biochemical Process Engineer. This position is located in Bainbridge, Georgia.

 Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Execute process simulation to develop, analyze and optimize fermentation processes.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of scalable and reproducible processes with improved product yield and reduced costs for commercial scale manufacturing process.
• Interpret and present scientific data and propose solutions under general supervision.
• Prepare and organize data for presentation. Present data and reports on project status at individual, group and departmental research meetings.
• Maintain laboratory notebook in a complete, consistent and concise manner in accordance with company intellectual property policies and practices.
• Fundamental knowledge of microbial fermentation processes coupled with practical knowledge of process engineering and hands-on plant operations.
• Experience in closing carbon balance for bench top and larger scale fermentations.
• Significant process engineering skills in areas such as data analysis, process modeling and simulation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to work independently in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Skillful in problem solving and trouble-shooting data, equipment, and procedures.
• Calculate heat & material balances from actual plant data.
• Analyze trends and reports on data generated to characterize scale-up and performance/functionality of processes and to improve product/process quality, consistency, productivity, efficiency, and risk levels.
• High level of technical knowledge of microbial (bacterial) metabolism(aerobic/anaerobic metabolism, cellular energetics, redox balance, etc.)
• Knowledge of and experience in quantitative microbial physiology and controlling metabolic phenotypes and cellular growth properties under different conditions.
• Knowledge of metabolic pathways.
• Physiological characterization of natural or genetically engineered microbial strains.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision (self-motivation.)
• Resourcefulness
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Attention to details.
• Continuous improvement experience.
• Making observations and taking measurements directly, as well as collecting and interpreting data from the other technical and operating staff.
• Review existing data to see if more research and information need to be collected, and assess the adequacy of the existing processes and equipment.
• Using computer modelling and simulations to design and evaluate processes and operating systems for the manufacture of products.

Requested Documents:

Resume
Cover Letter
Unofficial Transcript


Applications Accepted Until: September 30, 2014

You must upload your resume to apply for this and other positions.. Upload your resume in the "MyDocuments" tab. Use ID#760199 at the UF CRC Gator Career Link site.
Contact Information

Colette Galivan
Director of Research Analysis &Regulatory Compliance
1301 Colquitt Hwy
Bainbridge, Georgia 39817
cgalivan@meredianpha.com
229-243-7075
http://www.meredianpha.com

Sigma Xi Grants and Conference Opportunities

STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society is now accepting student grant applications through the Grant-in-Aid of Research Program. Applications are accepted in all fields of science and engineering. The application deadline is October 15, 2014 for awards to be disbursed in January 2015. 

Additional information and application at: https://sigmaxi.fluidreview.com/ Email questions to giar@sigmaxi.org

CALL FOR STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to share their research through poster presentations at the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and International Research Conference on November 7th and 8th in the Glendale Arizona. Abstracts accepted in all fields of science and engineering with awards given for outstanding presentations. A full announcement is included below.

Additional information at: http://www.sigmaxi.org Email questions to meeting@sigmaxi.org

Global Culture Photography Competition

If you are a UF student, faculty, staff, or alumni traveling abroad, or if you are an UF international student or scholar, you are eligible to enter the 2014 Global Culture Photography Competition. 

Categories: Enter one category only.

1) Study Abroad & Service Learning Students (UF sponsored): Open to all current students who have taken part in a UF Study Abroad program in 2013 or 2014, as well as students who participated in a UF sponsored service learning program abroad. Photographs must have been taken during a trip abroad and reflect the competition theme of "Global Culture."

2) International Students, Scholars & Employees (F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1): Open to all current UF international students, scholars, faculty and employees on visa types listed above. Photographs must have been taken anywhere in the United States in 2013 or 2014, meeting the theme of "Global Culture."

3) UF Faculty, Staff & Alumni: Open to all current or retired University of Florida faculty and staff, as well as UF alumni. Photographs must have been taken abroad in 2013 or 2014 and reflect the theme of "Global Culture."
Awards: Judges will award a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each of four categories. 1st prize winners will each receive $100, 2nd prize winners will receive $50 and 3rd prize winners will receive $25.

Deadlines: Submission period opens August 11, 2014. All entries must be received electronically by October 10th, 2014. Winners will be notified by October 24, 2014.
No photographic experience required; just a love for snapping pictures and a yearning to explore! 

Information about submission instructions, rules, and Permission to Use Photo Agreement will soon be posted at http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/PD/photocontest.html