We are always glad to hear from students who want to study ecology in the field. Here is how to get in touch in a way that helps us both.
Prospective graduate students
Graduate school is where you make the move from student to scholar, and finding the right advisor matters. Before you write to any potential advisor, including me:
- Read a few of their papers. Does the work interest you? Does their approach, whether experimental, mathematical or descriptive, suit you? If you want to study polar bears and they study ants, keep looking.
- Think about questions you would like to pursue. They don't need to be final, but advisors look for students who have done some independent thinking about what they want to contribute.
- Then send an email saying who you are, what you are interested in, and why you are considering our lab. Include an unofficial transcript and a CV if you have them.
Admission requirements and deadlines are set by the UF Biology graduate program. If you've read this far and think our lab could be a fit, write to me at tmp@ufl.edu.
Postdocs
Postdoctoral openings are posted here when they come up. Prospective postdocs with their own ideas are welcome to get in touch at any time.
Undergraduates
The Kenya field school is the best way for undergraduates to get involved with the lab's work.
Letters of recommendation
A strong letter comes from someone who knows your work well, so as a rule I write letters only for students who have worked in the lab or attended the field program in Kenya. If I've agreed to write for you:
- Give me two to three weeks' notice, and tell me where the letter is going and when it is due.
- Send your transcript, CV and personal statement, plus a few paragraphs on why you are a strong fit for the program. Specific evidence makes for a specific letter.
- Include a signed FERPA release and any forms I need to fill out.
- Remind me by email about two weeks before the deadline and again two days before. Until you get an email back that says "Done!", assume it isn't, and keep reminding me.