Graduate student opportunities

I plan to accept one M.S. or Ph.D. student for Fall 2012 to study disturbance effects on invasive plant species and ecosystem processes. Students may apply to either the Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology (PEEC) or the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Note that a completed application and supporting materials for PEEC are due January 1, 2012.

General minimum requirements for admission into the NRES program include a GPA > 3.0 for upper division undergraduate coursework, and a combined GRE score of 1150 (Q + V). However, students with higher GPAs and GRE scores will be more competitive. Please see the NRES Graduate Program and PEEC web page for more details. To find out more information about a project, please contact me.

 

Letter to Prospective Students

There are two options for graduate study in my lab. The graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Bioology (PEEC) is an interdiscplinary, stand-alone program designed to prepare students for research and teaching careers in ecology and evolutionary biology. There are no fixed courses required of all students, rather individuals are given maximum flexibility to pursue their interests with supervision from their advisory committee. The deadline for applications is typically in early January. The second option is the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). This department is ideal for those interested in interdisciplinary projects and provides strong training on topics ranging from soil and water resources to human dimensions of environmental science. Although NRES has a rolling application deadline, most funding desiciosn are made by February for the following fall semester.

If you are interested in being a student in my lab, please email me a short note of introduction. Include in your letter relevant information about yourself, such as your research background and scientific interests. You should also send a resume and your GRE scores (with percetiles) if they are available. I am looking for students with good grades, extracurricular research experience, an enthusiatic and positive attitude, and a deep committment to their work.

--Jen