ECS student workshops overview
Dear Students,
Each year, a workshop is organized for the student members. Each year a workshop is organized for the student members. The workshop themes can be decided by you. If you have an idea for future workshops or have any feedback from previous ones, please let me know.
Toby
Contact me on bonono1990AThotmail.com
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Student workshop 2012: Cetacean Live-Stranding Course
Abstract:
The objective main objectives of the workshop will be: (1) to teach participants in methods of first aid response to live-stranded cetaceans; (2) to impart practical skills in refloating small cetaceans (3) to inform them on the logistical challenges and risks to humans faced at a live-stranding. Brief lectures on cetacean identification, euthanasia and ethics, legal protection and the decision-making process for refloating will be given. A practical course will be undertaken on the beach at Salthill using the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group cetacean dummies and live-stranding pontoons located at the Galway Atlantiquaria. Discussions on how to manage both cetacean casualties as well as case studies will follow the practical session. Outcomes will include practical experience at providing first aid response to live stranded cetaceans. A systematic framework for dealing with all facets (legal, ethical and logistical) of live-strandings developed by both BDMLR and IWDG will be provided
Course Delivered by:
James Barnett, Alan Knight, Stephen Marsh (British Divers Marine Life Rescue)
Organiser: Conor Ryan
E-mail:
miolmorATgmail.com
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Student workshop 2011: Tools for Marine Mammal Population Studies
Abstract:
Marine mammals are difficult to study considering they exist in a vast environment and may move over great distances. A growing number of tools are being used in the analyses of marine mammal populations to address shortfalls in our knowledge arising due to these challenges. Some tools such as photo identification have been pioneered by cetacean biologists, while others have been borrowed from other fields including molecular genetics, morphometrics, satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis.
The aim of this workshop is to expose students to an array of methodologies that are being applied to the study of cetacean populations. The benefits, limitations and costs associated with each technique will be discussed. The workshop aims to provide advice to students on the pitfalls associated with each technique. The latest advances in each field including those in analysis software and statistical packages will be discussed.
Sessions:
Molecular Genetics, Morten Tange Olsen (Stockholm University)
Photo Identification, Simon Ingram (University of Plymouth)
Trace Metals and Stable Isotope Analysis, Florence Caurant (Université de La Rochelle)
Acoustics, Filipa Samarra (University of St. Andrews)
Organiser: Conor Ryan
E-mail:
miolmorATgmail.com
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Student workshop 2010: Habitat Modeling and GIS
Abstract:
Over the past years, GIS (Geographic Information System) has increasingly become one of the key tools in studying marine mammal ecology and has been very useful in informing conservation and management decisions. With GIS, data analysis is interesting, easier to interpret and allows the user to effectively visualise the data. The purpose of this workshops is to provide an overview of the GIS basics and to enable students to learn how to use GIS software.
Organiser: Polona Kotnjek
e-mail: polona.kotnjekATgmail.com
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Student workshop 2009: Designing behavioural studies on cetaceans in the wild
Abstract:
Behaviour is an aspect of cetology, that interests many students. While many behavioural studies have been published in peer-reviewed literature and some (but not many) publications have dealt with a review and critique of different behavioural sampling techniques, the execution of the study itself may prove difficult. Many methodological and analytical considerations must be taken into account prior to carrying out the study. For example, a student might design the study, do the sampling, attempt to analyse and interpret the data, but then realize that data collection had been biased or not independent, pseudoreplication became an issue and the whole thing is not what it should be. Tha flaws in the study might have been caused by flaws in sampling regime, observer-related biases or flaws in data analysis. Cetaceans are very different from terrestrial animals. Furthermore, individual cetacean species differ considerably from one another. A presentation and discussion of all these issues and some practical examples would therefore be very useful. Senior scientists could provide students with some guidelines and advice on "how to do it in practice", while students could ask specific questions and discuss different options.
Peter Evans provided an overview of behavioural studies on marine mammals.
Natacha Aguilar Soto explained some basics of the behavioural questions and ethics and presented the work on acoustic and foraging behaviour of deep diving cetaceans, using D-tags.
Jonathan Gordon explained the usefulness of passive acoustics and provided the general information on acoustics, equipment and possibilities.
Simone Panigada presented passive tracking and time-depth loggers, as tools for studying cetacean behaviour in relation to foraging and human disturbance.
Randall Wells presented examples of a long-term research and monitoring project, encompassing a variety of research methods and approaches.
If you have any questions regarding the workshop 2007 or 2008, feel free to contact me on polona.kotnjekATgmail.com
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The Student Workshop 2008:
“Different research approaches applied in marine
mammal science”
The aim of the workshop 2008 was to give students an
overview over scientific research techniques that are
applied in marine mammalogy. With this introductory
seminar, they got an insight into what techniques are
relevant, which questions are important today – and
what methods are applied to answer these. Consequently, the
meeting should help students to get a clearer picture on
which possibilities they have in their future scientific
career.
We had presentations on five different research areas,
given by experienced scientists.
Simone Panigada from the Tethys Research Institute (Italy)
spoke about behavioural studies, Peter Evans from the
Seawatch Foundation (UK) gave a presentation on photo ID
and Luca Mirimin from the Galway Mayo Institute of
Technology (Ireland) presented an introduction into
molecular genetic approaches. Thierry Jauniaux from the
University of Liege (Belgium) continued with a talk on
necropsy and pathology and Peter Madsen from the University
of Aarhus (Denmark) gave a presentation on acoustic field
techniques.
The speakers gave overviews over various methods that are
applied in their research areas in marine mammalogy, and
explained their relevance as well as their limitations.
Case studies were used to clarify the approaches and
techniques.
The workshop was very well attended (45 students!!).
The presentation slides can be downloaded below (slides
from the talks on necropsy/pathology will be available
soon).
Genetics (Luca Mirimin)
Photo ID (Peter Evans)
Behavioural studies - diving
(Simone Panigada)
Behavioural studies - passive
(Simone Panigada)
Acoustic field techniques (Peter Madsen)
If you have any questions regarding the workshop 2007 or
2008, feel free to contact me on kris-salzer AT gmx.de.
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The 2007 Student
Workshop: “Scientific working techniques”
During university studies, questions like “How do I
write a scientific paper?”, “How do I prepare a
poster and a presentation?” or “Where should I
publish which results?” are hardly answered. However,
all students need to know how to deal with these topics as
it is crucial for a scientific career. Therefore, this year
we wanted to give students guidelines and recommendations
on scientific working techniques, and offer a platform
where questions as well as the work students have done
recently (e.g. posters) could be discussed.
Four experienced senior scientists gave presentations on
four subjects, and contents were lively debated with the 25
workshop participants during each session. Greg Donovan
from IWC presented guidelines on how to write a scientific
paper, and Phil Hammond from the University of St. Andrews
continued with a talk on the process of publishing such an
article. Recommendations on how to give a scientific oral
presentation were provided by Arne Bjørge from the
University of Oslo. Finally, Peter Evans from Sea Watch
Foundation discussed the preparation and presentation of
scientific posters. The slides presented during the
workshop as well as guidelines and further information can
be downloaded below.
How to create a scientific poster
(Peter_Evans)
Publishing in scientific journals (Phil
Hammond)
Scientific oral presentation (Arne
Bjørge)
Scientific writing (Greg Dononovan)
Where to Publish - an overview of science
magazines (Kareiva&Yuan-Farrell)
Short guidelines for creating a scientific
poster (Jeremy_Evans)
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The “La Rochelle
2005” Student Workshop “Dissection Protocols
and Tissues Sampling”
This workshop was organised to provide ECS students with a
basic knowledge on how to analyse stranded or by-caught
animals, in order to learn more about their biology and
probable cause of death. We also wished to provide
information on data collection, more particularly the
application of standardised sampling protocols and the
storage samples depending on the analysis required.
Workshop objectives included:
- to take measurements and identify the condition code
(state of decomposition);
- to perform a complete external examination;
- to follow the methodology of the dissection and
examination;
- to apply sampling protocols depending on the condition
code.
A dissection and tissue sampling protocol was
made available and was applied for the demonstration
realised by Dr Thierry Jauniaux of the University of
Liège (Belgium) and Willy Dabin from the CRMM in La
Rochelle (France). Disposable protective wear such as
gloves and overshoes were supplied so that students could
make the most of this opportunity to really enjoy a true
“hands-on” experience.
Guillaume Marcais volunteered to write up the following
summary:
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Student workshop on marine mammal necropsy
During the necropsy workshop, two marine mammals were
dissected. The first animal was a Delphinus delphis, found
stranded close to Lacanneau Océan (France). The male
dolphin’s weight was approximately 60 kilograms and
measured 1, 77 meters. The cause of death was thought to be
due to accidental capture, as marks on his beak were noted.
The second marine mammal was a Phocoena phocoena, this
female porpoise, weighing 32 kilograms, had been trapped by
a gillnet.
The two animals were in a relatively fresh state, having
been frozen for dissection.
After the biometry and the NCC (Nutritive condition code)
measurements were taken, each animal was dissected by
Thierry Jauniaux and Willy Dabin so that all the students
present could understand the anatomy of the animals.
Next, several different samples were taken. Firstly, in
order to identify the age, several teeth were extracted. To
provide a genetic analysis, pieces of skin from which the
fat was removed were taken and stored in 70% alcohol.
The stomachs were extracted to study their contents and to
find traces of the animals’ recent diet. The blubber
was also measured to gain an idea of the state of health of
the animals.
The dissection continued with the extraction of the organs.
Samples were taken of several organs in order to measure
the quantity of two polluting elements : heavy metals and
POPs. For the heavy metal samples, the fat, kidney and
muscle were wrapped directly in plastic bags to avoid any
contamination and frozen at -20°C. To analyze the load
of POPs in the animals, samples of liver and fat were
extracted. The decision was taken to store the samples in
aluminum foil in order to avoid contact between the tissue
and the plastic. Each part was frozen at -20°C. The
liver and the lungs were examined for parasites. A few
parasites were found in the genital region of the male
dolphin.
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The
“Kolmården
2004” Student Workshop
“Careers in Marine Mammal Science”
This year in Kolmården we wanted to offer
students the chance to discuss with scientists who work in
different fields of marine mammal science (Conservation,
Behaviour, Ecology, Acoustics, Toxicology,
Pathology…). This allowed them to be able to learn
something of what the work in these various fields actually
consists in and possibly obtain some insight and/or advice
on how they can pursue their own interests in these fields.
Everyone got together in the café area outside of
the hotel / conference centre restaurant to sit down around
a cup of coffee, tea or something else, and just tossed
questions and ideas back and forth.
The approximately 40 students attended were able to split
up in smaller groups and chat with several of the
“senior scientist” participants:
Dr Graham Pierce, University of Aberdeen
Colin MacLeod, University of Aberdeen
Dr Christina Lockyer, Age Dynamics
Dr Thierry Jauniaux, University of Liège
Jan Willem Broekema, ECS
Ilka Hasselmeier, FTZ
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The “Las Palmas
2003” Student Workshop
“Human Interactions with cetaceans”
The Las Palmas ECS Student workshop centred on
human-cetacean interactions, with the objective of getting
students together to share their experiences and opinions
on this subject. It was organised around several
presentations given by students on their experience with
various aspects of this theme, allowing for an exchange of
ideas afterwards:
Interactions in the wild
-
The management of the presence of solitary sociable
dolphins – Jeremy Kiszka
-
Wildlife tourism and sea otters in Monterey Bay:
Managing human/sea otter interactions through
multidisciplinary research – Deborah Benham; as
well as distribution of “case cards” for a
role playing discussion at the end of the workshop
Delphinariums
The particularity of the process of adaptations to
captivity conditions of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncates) – Tatyana Denisenko & Olga
Sokolova
Research / education in delphinariums – Monika
Lechermeier
Line A. Kyhn volunteered to write a summary of the first two presentations
for this website.
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The "Liège 2002"
Student Workshop
Considering the necessity of collecting a maximum of
data from stranded animals such as tissue samples, and the
role of morbillivirus as a major infectious agent for
marine mammals, in Liège two student workshops took
place at the end of the congress, at the department of
pathology (organised by Dr. Thierry Jauniaux):
- A necropsy demonstration (on a harbour porpoise),
performed by Dr. Jauniaux, using standard protocols in
order to discuss practical cases and problems met by people
involved in stranding networks.
- A practical use of immunohistochemistry (under the
guidance of student Nadia El Mjiyad)for the detection of
morbillivirus anitgen in marine mammal tissue. The tissue
samples were provided by the department of Pathology and
the kits for the immunological test were Envision (DAKO),
freely offered by DAKO (Belgium).
Maria Iversen and Christopher Robin Cederroth volunteered
to write a summary of the workshops which are now available
here. (Immunohistochemistry or Necropsy)
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Immunohistochemistry
(IHC)
Place: Veterinary Faculty Building
Time: Thursday the 11th of April 2002 from 10:00 to
15:00
Participants: Alejandro Ucloa, Cristina Beans, Katja
Vinding Petersen, Maja Kirkegaard, Klervi Allee, Nadia El
Mjiyad (instructor), L. N. Measures & Maria Iversen
The main purpose of the workshop was to learn how to
detect Morbillivirus in tissue samples from whales and
seals by the use of immunohistochemistry. This staining
technique allows for the visualization of tissue (cell)
antigens.
After a short introduction, it was explained how to get a
thin slice of tissue connected to the slide. First, a small
tissue sample was put in a small box, which bathed in a
paraffin bath. The parafinised tissue was then cut in very
thin slices, which were laid on the slide and covered with
a substance (silene) to keep the tissue in the right space.
After that, the slides were bathed in alcohol baths with
declining strength to wash off the paraffin.
Then it was time to try something ourselves. In another
laboratory we received some slides, which were labelled so
that the instructor was able to se if the sample was
suppose to be infected or not. First, we used an ImmEdge
pen to keep the solutions and antigens in a limited space
on the slides. Then we started the biochemical treatments
with a DAKO Peroxydase-blocking-solution (8 minutes). After
this the samples were bathed in buffer (TRIS) to neutralize
the active sides. Then the slides were incubated following
reagents for various times, each incubation was followed by
a buffer bath.
2) Proteinase K (Ready-to-use) DAKO
3) Anti-PDV for haemaglutenin
4) DAKO Envision + HRP Mouse (30 min.)
5) Dako Substrate Chromogen AEG (10 min)
After the incubations the slides were washed in distilled
water and stained with haematoxolin during 10 minutes.
Finally, the slides were observed/analysed under the
microscope - if some of the cells appeared red it was a
sign of the virus Þ the animal was positive for the
virus.
The tissue used originated from fin whale, harbour porpoise
& seal.
The workshop was in all a good experience, interesting
subject, nice people, very good café, and nice
surroundings. A suggestion for any changes would be to use
some of the incubation time to go through the background
for the results & methods. Indeed, the workshop is a
good tool in the future.
Maria Iversen
Handed out:
DAKO (2000): A guide to Demasking of Antigens on
Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue.
DAKO (2001): DAKO Envision TM, A major breakthrough in
immunohistochemical straining.
DAKO (2001): handbook: Immunochemical Straining Methods.
3rd edition. Editor: Thomas Boenisch, USA.
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The Necropsy workshop
As a student from the University of Geneva - Switzerland, I
finally had the chance to observe a necropsy of a 14,3 kg
porpoise, as there aren’t that many in the Lake of
Geneva. It was at a 3 state of decomposition of the body
following Kuiken's condition code (skin peeling, organs
still intact, bad smelling, etc...). I learned about the
importance of the measurements, the previous tissue and
liquid samples in all orifices for bacteriological
analysis. Then, during the cutting there was a very precise
protocol for collecting the internal organs without
disordering or damaging the next samples to be taken.
For a good and rapid co-ordination, there must be a team
with different tasks given to everyone: Pictures, reports,
help and assistance for putting the samples in bottles, and
so on… Then the most important organs (in our case,
thymus, thyroid, liver and kidney) have to be sent for
toxicological analysis, parasitology, bacteriology,
histopathology, and others. We found several parasites in
the inner ear, which were sent to be analysed.
It was really interesting, and a thrilling moment for me.
Thanks to the staff, and Thierry for giving us such
possibilities.
Christopher Robin
Cederroth
Scientific Assistant
5, chemin de la Boisserette
1208 Geneva
Switzerland
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The "Rome 2001" Student
Workshop
"Get into contact: discussing topic specific questions"
At the Rome conference we had a student workshop entitled:
"GET INTO CONTACT" in order to give the ECS-students the
opportunity to get to know each other and to talk about
specific topics.
Three working groups were organized, an acoustics group
joined by the senior scientists Darlene Ketten, Jakob
Tougaard and Nick Tregenza, a conservation & ecology
group, divided into two groups with senior scientists
Giovanni Bearzi, Greg Donovan, Peter Evans and Jaume
Forcada, and last but not least a strandings &
conservation group joined by the senior scientists Paul
Jepson, Carl Kinze, Toni Raga and Emer Rogan. A summary of
each working group was given at the end of the workshop by
students attending the groups and compiled for sending it
out through email to all people attending the workshop, and
upon request also to you.
Please send your request to
ursula.verfuss@uni-tuebingen.de
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The "Monaco 1998" Student
Workshop
"Student Affairs Workshop"
The first was organized by the SMM student member-at-large
Leah Gerber, and the ECS student representative Paula
Moreno. The workshop was highly attended and highly
regarded, and started what will hopefully continue to be a
valuable resource for students.
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