[ECOLOG-L] Job: Tenure-line Macroecology
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Macroecology As part of a major interdisciplinary hiring initiative in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University (ISU), a new joint initiative by the Departments of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences; Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology; and Economics and the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication aims to expand our capabilities for fundamental research on sustainable environmental systems. Multiple new hires in the field of Sustainability Science (http://www.las.iastate.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-careers/sustainability-science) are planned for the next 2-3 years and should expect to benefit from and contribute to the interaction and collaboration among these and other departments. As part of this initiative, the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in macroecology at the Assistant Professor level. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to join a synergistic focal group in the area of Sustainability Science that will serve to facilitate team building and integrative research. Specifically, this person will contribute to research examining integrated functioning of biological and physical components across multiple scales and the role of spatial and temporal patterns and processes as they relate to the development of sustainable environmental systems. Research could include state-of-the-art computational approaches, developing and applying ecological theory, and/or novel empirical analyses. This hire could also develop research that interprets and reports on large data sets across developing research networks spanning a range of scales. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. by the time of appointment and are expected to establish successful, externally funded research programs and to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. All applications must be submitted electronically at www.iastatejobs.com (vacancy #:400025). Please be prepared to attach a letter of application, including concise teaching and research statements, curriculum vitae, and up to three reprints. Submission of three confidential letters of recommendation should be arranged as per instructions in the on-line application system. The position will remain open until filled. Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 21, 2014. For additional information please email macro...@iastate.edu. Iowa State University is an EO/AA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Vets status. Iowa State University is an AAU-member comprehensive, land grant, Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive University with an enrollment of over 33,000 students. The university is located in Ames, IA, one of the nation's most highly rated metropolitan areas of its size (http://www.iastate.edu/about/ames.php) and is only 35 miles north of Des Moines. ISU is committed to achieving inclusive excellence through a diverse workforce and is dedicated to supporting work-life balance through an array of flexible policies.
[ECOLOG-L] Evolutionary Biologist - University of Louisiana at Monroe
The Biology Program in the School of Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Monroe invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning Fall 2015. The successful applicant must have a Ph.D., a commitment to teaching excellence, and demonstrated potential for development of an externally funded program that will involve undergraduate and M.S. students in evolutionary biology research with a molecular or population focus. Specific areas of research interest may include (but are not limited to) evolutionary developmental biology, molecular evolution, population genetics, evolutionary genomics, or other areas that integrate computational and quantitative methods in the study of evolution. Teaching responsibilities will include introductory sequences in biology, evolution, and genetics. Other courses in the area of expertise could be offered for undergraduate upperclassmen and graduate students in Biology. Submit a curriculum vitae, a statement describing teaching and research interests, a brief list of research equipment/space needs, citations of up to 3 recent publications, transcripts, and the names/contact information for three references to Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee (joyd...@ulm.edu), Chair, Evolutionary Biologist Search Committee, Biology Program, School of Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe LA 71209. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Review of applications will begin immediately. To receive full consideration, completed application should be submitted by November 21, 2014. For additional information see our website at www.ulm.edu/biology. ULM is an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
[ECOLOG-L] life history of medicinal plants?
I'm wondering whether it's possible to generalize about the life histories of medicinal plants. My guess is that annual plants in general don't invest much in secondary plant compounds, so that most medicinal plants would be perennial (herbs or shrubs). Do you know of any annuals that are important as medicinal plants? David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 2014-15: President, Ecological Society of America Principal Investigator Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte, CO 81224 ino...@umd.edu 301-405-6946
Re: [ECOLOG-L] life history of medicinal plants?
For whatever Wickipedia is worth, this article lists some 200 plants used in traditional and modern medicine. Most listed are perennial, but a few are annual or biennial. Among the annuals is the opium poppy. David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: I'm wondering whether it's possible to generalize about the life histories of medicinal plants. My guess is that annual plants in general don't invest much in secondary plant compounds, so that most medicinal plants would be perennial (herbs or shrubs). Do you know of any annuals that are important as medicinal plants? David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 2014-15: President, Ecological Society of America Principal Investigator Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte, CO 81224 ino...@umd.edu 301-405-6946 -- David McNeely
Re: [ECOLOG-L] life history of medicinal plants?
David, I wouldn’t necessarily associate a secondary bioactive compound with one that can be considered medicinal for humans. Nicotine and urushiol are among the many that can be produced in short order, so I would argue that a plant’s secondary compounds can be produced rapidly and not necessarily have a human medicinal value. There are many problems with medicinals; perhaps the most important reason that they don’t reach the American market is that a natural product cannot be patented, thus there is no profit motive until it can be “isolated” and tweaked chemically. This discounts the effect of other compounds working together. In addition, there is no oversight of herbal remedies in terms of quality, safety or efficacy. Soapbox alert… I am growing many perennial medicinal plants in the Amazon although I have no need nor desire to use any of them personally. Disturbingly, ayahuasca is becoming ever more popular. A vine with mind-altering capability, it can addle the brain. While on the soapbox, I might recommend Leslie Taylor’s The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs. The author does a nice job of tying together folk lore to peer-reviewed research. Not a commercial, just a personal favorite. … end of soapbox. Don Dean Oakland NJ Schools projectamazonastree.org On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 6:36 PM, David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: I'm wondering whether it's possible to generalize about the life histories of medicinal plants. My guess is that annual plants in general don't invest much in secondary plant compounds, so that most medicinal plants would be perennial (herbs or shrubs). Do you know of any annuals that are important as medicinal plants? David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 2014-15: President, Ecological Society of America Principal Investigator Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte, CO 81224 ino...@umd.edu 301-405-6946
Re: [ECOLOG-L] life history of medicinal plants?
Some of these are considered medicinal, but I don't know if they REALLY qualify as sources of anything or not. BTW, might try a seed catalog! ;) Poppies produce opium. Borango officinalis Arctium lappa Calendula officinalis Matricaria recutita Stellaria media Coriandrum sativum Hibiscus sabdariffa Cymbopogon flexuosus Lobelia inflata Silibum marianum Portulacca oleracae Capsella bursa-pastoris Acmella oleracea Satureja hortensis Artemesia annua Then, some annuals known to be poisonous (the poisons clearly can be used for other stuff) milkweeds nightshade foxglove ? Castor Bean (castor oil and ricin) Water Hemlock (is this a biennial or annual? Can't remember) On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 5:36 PM, David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: I'm wondering whether it's possible to generalize about the life histories of medicinal plants. My guess is that annual plants in general don't invest much in secondary plant compounds, so that most medicinal plants would be perennial (herbs or shrubs). Do you know of any annuals that are important as medicinal plants? David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 2014-15: President, Ecological Society of America Principal Investigator Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte, CO 81224 ino...@umd.edu 301-405-6946 -- Malcolm L. McCallum, PHD, REP “Nothing is more priceless and worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.” -President Richard Nixon upon signing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 into law. Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive - Allan Nation 1880's: There's lots of good fish in the sea W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Re: [ECOLOG-L] life history of medicinal plants?
prussic acid is widely produced when under stress by annual grasses like sudan grass, sorghrum and others. However, I began to realize this question was further complicated by issues with plants that are perennial in some parts of their range but annual in others. Then there are those plants that we grow as annuals in temperate regions, but grow as perennials in the tropics (tomatoes for example). This is actually pretty complex! On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 6:40 PM, Don Dean d...@projectamazonas.org wrote: David, I wouldn’t necessarily associate a secondary bioactive compound with one that can be considered medicinal for humans. Nicotine and urushiol are among the many that can be produced in short order, so I would argue that a plant’s secondary compounds can be produced rapidly and not necessarily have a human medicinal value. There are many problems with medicinals; perhaps the most important reason that they don’t reach the American market is that a natural product cannot be patented, thus there is no profit motive until it can be “isolated” and tweaked chemically. This discounts the effect of other compounds working together. In addition, there is no oversight of herbal remedies in terms of quality, safety or efficacy. Soapbox alert… I am growing many perennial medicinal plants in the Amazon although I have no need nor desire to use any of them personally. Disturbingly, ayahuasca is becoming ever more popular. A vine with mind-altering capability, it can addle the brain. While on the soapbox, I might recommend Leslie Taylor’s The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs. The author does a nice job of tying together folk lore to peer-reviewed research. Not a commercial, just a personal favorite. … end of soapbox. Don Dean Oakland NJ Schools projectamazonastree.org On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 6:36 PM, David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: I'm wondering whether it's possible to generalize about the life histories of medicinal plants. My guess is that annual plants in general don't invest much in secondary plant compounds, so that most medicinal plants would be perennial (herbs or shrubs). Do you know of any annuals that are important as medicinal plants? David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 2014-15: President, Ecological Society of America Principal Investigator Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte, CO 81224 ino...@umd.edu 301-405-6946 -- Malcolm L. McCallum, PHD, REP “Nothing is more priceless and worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.” -President Richard Nixon upon signing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 into law. Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive - Allan Nation 1880's: There's lots of good fish in the sea W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Re: [ECOLOG-L] life history of medicinal plants?
I would attempt to obtain the complete list of plants from the University of Michigan ethnobotanical database, determine how many are not used for fibers or other non medicinal purposes, and then determine how many are annual. Nightshades, Milkweeds, Foxglove and Castor beans are all used medicinally, and also now have derivatives which are employed in heart medications, sleep aids, emergency treatment of organophosphate poisoning, to induce vomiting, and to combat anxiety and airsickness. Plus Milkweed is only mildly toxic and can be eaten readily, the unripe pods are really neat in stir fry. On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 7:04 PM, Malcolm McCallum malcolm.mccallum.ta...@gmail.com wrote: Some of these are considered medicinal, but I don't know if they REALLY qualify as sources of anything or not. BTW, might try a seed catalog! ;) Poppies produce opium. Borango officinalis Arctium lappa Calendula officinalis Matricaria recutita Stellaria media Coriandrum sativum Hibiscus sabdariffa Cymbopogon flexuosus Lobelia inflata Silibum marianum Portulacca oleracae Capsella bursa-pastoris Acmella oleracea Satureja hortensis Artemesia annua Then, some annuals known to be poisonous (the poisons clearly can be used for other stuff) milkweeds nightshade foxglove ? Castor Bean (castor oil and ricin) Water Hemlock (is this a biennial or annual? Can't remember) On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 5:36 PM, David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: I'm wondering whether it's possible to generalize about the life histories of medicinal plants. My guess is that annual plants in general don't invest much in secondary plant compounds, so that most medicinal plants would be perennial (herbs or shrubs). Do you know of any annuals that are important as medicinal plants? David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 2014-15: President, Ecological Society of America Principal Investigator Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte, CO 81224 ino...@umd.edu 301-405-6946 -- Malcolm L. McCallum, PHD, REP “Nothing is more priceless and worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.” -President Richard Nixon upon signing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 into law. Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive - Allan Nation 1880's: There's lots of good fish in the sea W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
