| [Aug 14, 2007] Emeritus Professor George Barlow has passed away. | The MVZ is saddened to announce the death of Professor George Barlow at the age of 78. Barlow, a professor with the Integrative Biology department and Research Ethologist at the MVZ, focused on animal behavior and evolutionary biology in his work and was highly renowned for his expertise in fish biology. From the time he was young, Barlow showed a deep passion for all things aquatic, from collecting hermit crabs on the beach as a child to playing water polo and surfing as an undergrad at UCLA, to joining the Coast Guard during the Korean War and eventually becoming one of the world's most prominent figures in ichthyology. He was devoted to his work and loved teaching, as well as travel, gardening, music, and all animals. George Barlow is survived by his wife, Gerta, their three daughters, and six grandchildren. He will be missed.
A memorial service is planned for Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Alumni House at UC Berkeley. For more information on this or a pending memorial fund that would support student research, contact bickabarlow@sbcglobal.net.
Click on title to read the full SF Chronicle obituary.
|  | | [Apr 03, 2007] Dr. Eileen Lacey receives Distinguished Teaching Award | | We are delighted to announce that Dr. Eileen Lacey, Associate Professor (Department of Integrative Biology) and Curator of Mammals (MVZ) has received a Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest honor bestowed by UC Berkeley in recognition of excellence in instruction. This award reflects the deep commitment given by Eileen to her students, both graduate and undergraduate, and it is gratifying to see this recognized by the campus. This is the fourth such award bestowed on MVZ/IB Faculty in recent decades - other recipients were Frank Pitelka, Harry Greene and Jim Patton. | | | [Nov 07, 2006] Grinnell Resurvey Project and the Lassen Transect Survey are featured in the New York Times | | A century of biodiversity is examined and compared in the area of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Read what MVZ scientists, Jim Patton and John Perrine are finding, and how it may relate to our changing world. | | | [Mar 07, 2006] John Wieczorek wins prestigious bioinformatics award | The MVZ is elated to announce that John Wieczorek has received the 2006 Ebbe Nielsen Prize, presented by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). This prestigious award recognizes John's leadership and seminal contributions in the field of biodiversity informatics, including his role in development of DiGIR and distributed data networks (e.g., MaNIS, HerpNET, and ORNIS.).
John will use his prize to expand these projects to Brazil, Argentina, Madagascar and Russia. The Prize will be awarded on 5 April 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa.(View Image) | | | [Nov 21, 2005] News from Sierra Leone features Ted Papenfuss | | Ted Papenfuss has worked closely with the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone to donate textbooks to the Biological Sciences Department of Njala University. His efforts and scientific collaborations are highlighted in this news article. | | | [Oct 21, 2005] Job Opening: Bioinformatics/GIS Scientist | The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley is a national leader in the development and application of biodiversity informatics to museum-based science (see mvz.berkeley.edu/Informatics.html) and is making increasing use of GIS technology in its research, education and outreach. To further develop this initiative, we are now seeking a GIS scientist with relevant expertise and enthusiasm for promoting the use of georeferenced museum data in conservation and research on vertebrate biogeography, ecology and evolution. The appointee will be located within the MVZ, contribute to the museum’s research effort and interact with a strong existing biodiversity informatics group in the MVZ and the Berkeley Natural History Museums (bnhm.berkeley.edu/about/informatics.php). The position will be for one year beginning approximately January 1, 2006, with reappointment contingent upon funding availability, at the Assistant or Associate Specialist level (annual salary ranges: $36,816-$42,180 or $45,948-$55,320, respectively), depending on qualifications and experience. Substantial experience in GIS methods, including modeling and GIS-related programming is essential, as is interest in museum-based bioinformatics research and enthusiasm for training and collaborative research.
Applications should include a CV and brief statement addressing the duties and selection criteria and describing a vision for how informatics and GIS can further the mission of the museum. These, together with names of 3 references, should be submitted to Jeanne G. Kassis (Position #200), Berkeley Natural History Museums, 3101 Valley Life Science Building, UC Berkeley, CA 94720 by November 21, 2005. Further information about this position can be obtained from the MVZ web site (mvz.berkeley.edu/Job_Listings.php), or by contacting Craig Moritz (craigm@berkeley.edu). The University of California, Berkeley, is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity.
| | | [Oct 21, 2005] Job Opening: Supervisor of Evolutionary Genomics Laboratory | The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley has a long history of incorporating molecular information into studies of vertebrate evolution, behavior and ecology, and is expanding its application of genomics to these areas. To lead our multi-user molecular laboratory (see mvz.berkeley.edu/Evol_Gen_Lab.html) and to further develop our capabilities in this area, we seek a scientist with appropriate research expertise and strong commitment to managing and providing leadership to this facility. The appointee will be responsible to the Director of the MVZ for efficient operation of the lab, further development of its technical abilities, including collaborative or independent research as appropriate, and provision of training to students and staff. As some sections of the facility also support instruction, the appointee will also be responsible to the Chair of Integrative Biology for logistic support to relevant classes. The position will be for one year beginning approximately January 1, 2006, with reappointment contingent upon funding availability, at the Assistant or Associate Specialist level (annual salary ranges: $36,816-$42,180 or $45,948-$55,320, respectively), depending on qualifications and experience. Substantial and relevant experience in evolutionary genomics, experience in laboratory management and advanced interpersonal skills are essential, as is interest in museum-based research and enthusiasm for training and collaborative research.
Applications should include a CV and brief statement addressing the duties and selection criteria and describing a vision for how modern evolutionary genomics can further the mission of the museum. These, together with names of 3 references, should be submitted to Jeanne G. Kassis (Position #100), Berkeley Natural History Museums, 3101 Valley Life Science Building, UC Berkeley, CA 94720 by November 21, 2005. Further information about this position can be obtained from the MVZ web site (mvz.berkeley.edu/Job_Listings.php), or by contacting Craig Moritz (craigm@berkeley.edu). The University of California, Berkeley, is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity.
| | | [Aug 30, 2005] MVZ graduate student wins award at ABS meeting | | Congratulations to Alan Krakauer, who received an Honorable Mention in the Allee competition for best student paper at the 2005 Animal Behavior Society Annual Meetings! Alan's work on Wild Turkey's was recently published in Nature. | | | [Aug 30, 2005] New publication celebrating the career of James L. Patton | | A volume of original research papers celebrating the career of James L. Patton has just been released by the University of California Press. The volume, entitled "Mammalian Diversification: From Chromosomes to Phylogeography (A Celebration of the Career of James L. Patton)," is available online. Softbound copies also can be purchased from the UC Press. Now Jim can finally, really retire! | | | [Aug 10, 2005] Emeritus Curator Seth Benson dies at age 100 | | The MVZ sadly announces the passing of Dr. Seth Benson, who served as Curator of Mammals for 40 years. He collected 13,095 specimens for the MVZ, and retired in 1969. Perhaps his most famous publication is a monograph on concealing coloration in desert mice. He recently celebrated his 100th birthday, which some MVZers were honored to attend. Seth Benson was a legend, and his death marks the passing of an era.(View Image) | | | [Apr 12, 2005] Art and Science: Profile of Robert C. Stebbins | | Emeritus Professor and MVZ Curator Robert C. Stebbins was recently profiled in the Los Angeles Times about his lifelong career as an artist, scientist, and naturalist. At age 90, Stebbins is still remarkably active. In addition to his recently published Third Edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Western Repiles and Amphibians, he just finished a book geared toward engaging children in natural history. | | | [Mar 15, 2005] MVZ graduate student publishes in Nature | | MVZ student Alan Krakauer's recent paper in Nature provides genetic evidence for the evolution of cooperative behavior in mating in Wild Turkeys. His research was conducted at the Hastings Natural History Reservation in Carmel Valley, California. | | | [Mar 14, 2005] Latest issue of Hastings Newsletter | | The August 2004-February 2005 issue of the Hastings Newsletter is available. Read about the latest research and other activity at Hastings! | | | [Feb 07, 2005] Reflections on History of Field Ornithology in California | | The January/February 2005 issue of Birding (published by American Birding Association) has an article by W. David Shuford on the impact of Annie Alexander, Joseph Grinnell, and MVZ colleagues on ornithological study in California. The article emphasizes the importance of Alexander's "passion, vision, single-minded dedication, and financial backing" in promoting the "Grinnell Revolution," which culminated in the classic 1944 publication on the Distribution of the Birds of California (published after Grinnell's death). | | | [Jan 10, 2005] Georeferencing Takes a Big Step Forward with BioGeoMancer Funding | | The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded a team of institutions, led by the UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, a $1.6 million grant to build an online automated georeferencing tool. The tool, referred to as BioGeoMancer, addresses the crucial need of natural history museums to assign accurate and verifiable coordinates to over 2 billion specimens worldwide that contain text location data but no spatial coordinates. Coupling the geographic scope of specimens with the rich historical record of natural history museum collections yields a source of data of enormous significance, useful in conservation planning, reserve selection, and examining the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity. | |
|
