Biology in a changing world Rob Cruickshank Department of Ecology Lincoln University.
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Transcript of Biology in a changing world Rob Cruickshank Department of Ecology Lincoln University.
Biology careers
Plan A – MedicinePlan B – Acarology, aerobiology, agriculture, anatomy, arachnology, astrobiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, biomathematics, biomechanics, biomedical research, biophysics, biosecurity, biotechnology, building biology, botany, cell biology, conservation biology, cryobiology, developmental biology, ecology, embryology, entomology, environmental biology, epidemiology, epigenetics, ethology, evolutionary biology, genetics, haematology, herpetology, histology, ichthyology, integrative biology, limnology, mammalogy, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, mycology, neurobiology, oncology, ornithology, population biology, paleontology, pathology, parasitology, pharmacology, physiology, phytopathology, psychobiology, sociobiology, soil biology, structural biology, synthetic biology, virology, zoology
The world is changing
• Population growth• Resource consumption• Globalisation and international trade• Climate change• Ocean acidification• Pollution• Rapid decline of biodiversity• Habitat loss and fragmentation• Invasive pests
Biology is changing
• Collaborative• Multi-disciplinary• New technology• Next generation DNA sequencing• Massive amounts of data• New analytical methods• Reproductive technologies• Genetic manipulation• Synthetic biology
Keys to success in modern biology• Shift from specific knowledge to generic skills• Shift from specialisation to multi-disciplinary collaboration and
synthesis of ideas• Shift from particular technological approaches to strategies for
learning and adapting new techniques• Ability to integrate knowledge from different areas• Research skills, philosophy of science, how to make and record
observations, ask questions, construct testable hypotheses, design experiments, analyse results, make inferences, communicate findings, etc.
• Information literacy, finding and assessing the quality of information, critical thinking, critical literacy
Keys to success in modern biology
• Quantitative thinking, data management, computing, maths, bioinformatics, statistics
• Visualisation, creative presentation of data, dissemination of research outcomes, public outreach
• Collaboration, working as part of a team, understanding, empathy, effective communication
• Cultural sensitivity, cross-cultural communication, languages
• Entrepreneurship, commercialisation, business knowledge, economics, policy
• Ethics, moral philosophy, social science
Keys to success in modern biology
A high-level of academic achievement is not necessarily as important as…
• Curiosity• Enthusiasm• Creativity• Logical reasoning• Practical ability• Persistence
The New Zealand curriculum
• Nature of science strand• Integration of biology with other strands (e.g.
maths and statistics, technology, social science)• NCEA achievement standards (biology matrix)…
2.1 – Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with supervision2.2 – Analyse the biological validity of information presented to the public3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance3.2 – Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
Careers in biology
• Biology + computing = bioinformatics• Biology + social sciences = management,
policy making, politics, communication• Biology + commerce = product development,
commercialisation• Biology + languages = international
collaboration, economic development• Biology + arts = data visualisation, landscape
ecology, biomimetics
An example
How can we get the economic benefits of mining while preserving
this unique native species?
Population biologyTo predict effects of
interventions on population
Communication expertsLocals, mining company,
government (local, national), iwi,
conservation groups, volunteers, media
EcologistsWhat are their ecological requirements in captivity
and restored habitat?
Molecular biologistsDiet analysis, population
genetics
EconomistsEconomic costs and
benefits of mining in this area, commercial implications, etc.
Ecological restoration experts
To restore area after mining
Captive breeding expertsTo preserve population
until they can be returned to restored site
Translocation expertsTo identify new areas
suitable for introducing this
species
LawyersLegal
implications
TaxonomistsTo identify prey taxa
StatisticiansTo analyse
results