Information for Prospective Students

Most of my research is focused on community ecology.  More specifically, I focus on identifying large-scale patterns of biodiversity and trying to find the underlying mechanisms that structure them.  However, I am also interested in behavioral and population ecology as well.  Although I typically have a research project going at all times, I am interested in students that can come up with their own studies (or at least the basic ideas).

There are three ways students can conduct research in my lab.

1. Volunteer - students can volunteer their time to conduct undergraduate research

2. Course credit - students can enroll in Biology Problems, with special permission, to receive course credit for conducting undergraduate research

3. Paid research assistants - in some cases, students might be able to receive monetary support for conducting undergraduate research

If you are interested in conducting research in my lab, please complete the following application and return it to my office (Science 213I)

• Application for Student Research Assistant

Students conducting research in my lab will be required to:

1. spend 8-10 hours per week in lab

2. maintain a lab notebook

3. read at least one peer-reviewed journal article pertaining to their research per week

4. attend weekly lab meetings to discuss research experiences as well as journal articles