The #popmed #50papers challenge

After 2 weeks of our summer reading challenge, I am thrilled to report on our reading progress. Most participating students have already read 10 papers! Keeping up to date on an ever growing body of scientific contributions is a difficult task. Making a plan, and consciously setting aside time each day to read one new paper is a great way to start. Personally, when my to-do list is long, reading papers is one of the first things that continues to get bumped down the list. Making it a priority and scheduling it into my day helps me to be sure that I meet my goal. Two weeks down and 8 more to go. If you want to check out what #popmed students are reading for the #50papers challenge search the hashtags on Twitter. 

Progressing to candidacy! Congratulations Kelsey!

I am incredibly pleased and proud to announce that Kelsey has progressed to candidacy! This morning she successfully completed the oral portion of her qualifying examinations with flying colours. Congratulations Kelsey! 

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships now accepting applications

If you are currently an MSc student and interested in applying to a PhD program you should take a look at the Vanier scholarships program. These are competitive scholarships worth $50,000 per year for 3 years. For students interested in joining the math.epi.lab at the University of Guelph please contact Dr. Greer to discuss your application package and research proposal. Universities have internal deadlines that must be met (which are often well in advance of the actual external scholarship deadline). 

Kelsey's research featured in Western Producer magazine

#popmed #50papers Summer Challenge

A while ago there was a hashtag on twitter (#365papers)  that academics were using to keep themselves accountable on their goal to read (on average), 1 peer-reviewed paper per day. Staying on top of the literature both within my own field and in related fields is a huge task. It is a critically important part of being an academic but also one of the things that most suffers when I am busy. My group has decided to commit to a scaled down version of the #365papers challenge for the summer (#50papers over the next 10 weeks). Nothing like a little healthy competition to motivate me to keep up with my reading. The public chart in the hall outside of my office should also help :) What motivates you to stay on top of your reading?

Sad news from Australia this morning...

I was introduced to Dr. Rick Speare from James Cook University when I was a graduate student with Dr. Jim Collins at Arizona State University. Dr. Speare was responsible for the discovery of chytridiomycosis and had an impressive body of other research work spanning both veterinary and human medicine. This morning I woke up to several emails from former colleagues informing us that Dr. Speare was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Townsville on his way home from a trip.  His loss will be felt by the ecology, conservation, and public health communities not just in Australia but also around the world. Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Big news for a math.epi.lab alum!

Congratulations go out to Beverly Goh, a former undergraduate research assistant in our group. Beverly will be furthering her studies in the DVM program here at the Ontario Veterinary College in September 2016. Congratulations Beverly (class of 2020)! 

Calling all equine enthusiasts!

We are recruiting for a new research study. If you are a horse owner or equine facility manager please take a moment to review some of the study details. For more information please contact Rachael Milwid at rmilwid (at) uoguelph (dot) ca. 

Photo courtesy of  Grand River Raceway and Hands on Horses