Prospective Graduate Students

Planting on Sapelo Island, GA

Students with diverse interests in ecological and evolutionary genetics are always welcome. Although all students presently in the lab share a common interest in plant evolutionary biology, we do not all work on the same questions or in the same systems. I welcome this diversity in the lab.

I try to foster independence in my students. I encourage students to pursue their independent interests. Independence will make you much more attractive in a competitive job market. With this independence comes increased responsibility to pursue funding. Although the Department of Genetics guarantees 5 years of funding (this year's stipend is $20,500 for 12 months), I encourage (and help) my graduate students to pursue outside sources of funding for their stipends and research.

I try to foster cooperation in the lab. My approach to the study of evolutionary biology focuses on understanding evolution in the field. All of us tend to do large field experiments and they can't be done without the whole lab helping out (food is often a prime motivator). One of our lab traditions is that, for each lab member's birthday, I bake a cake.

I encourage my students to be broadly trained. As a department, our students are well trained in both population genetics and molecular biology. I encourage my students to be rigorous experimentalists by studying statistics and experimental design, but I also want them to develop a broad appreciation for the natural history of the organisms and communities with which they work. I urge my students to attend all departmental seminars, whatever the topic, so as to be broadly trained as geneticists. I also take teaching and communication skills seriously.

Athens is a fun place to live. For a small town, Athens has a lot to offer. The cost-of-living is low, downtown is lively and the restaurants are good. Check out what the New York Times said about Athens in a May 10, 2002 story. Athens is only a little over an hour from a very large metropolis (Atlanta) and also about an hour from the biological wonderland that is the southern Appalachian Mountains.

If you're interested in applying to graduate school, please contact me. It would be helpful if you could let me know why you want to go to graduate school, and what your interests, experiences and qualifications are.

Ashleigh Waits measuring seeds

Prospective Undergraduate Students

Serious undergraduates are always welcome in the lab. Undergraduates interested in research should contact Dr. Mauricio as early as possible. We are particularly interested in undergraduates who are willing to commit to at least 2 semesters of research. As with graduate students, undergrads are encouraged to pursue independent lines of research under the supervision of Dr. Mauricio or one of the grad students in the lab. A student can do research under the GENE 4960, 4960H, 4970H and 4980H courses. We also often have opportunities for students who just want to earn some money.