Last updated for Fall 2022
Dear Prospective Graduate Student,
Thank you for your interest in joining my lab! Please read my main web page for a description of my research interests. I get a lot of inquiries about working with me, so please excuse the impersonal nature of this letter.
At the moment I have two graduate students (both PhD) and 2 postdocs in my lab. I hope to recruit 1-2 new graduate students for fall 2022.
Student research is expected to fall within the broad scope of my interests (applied ecology, disturbance, invasion, disease management), but will largely be determined by the student. I will provide advice and help, of course, but expect my students to be independent and motivated.
Please note that I encourage my graduate students to do both empirical and theoretical research if working on invasions; otherwise the focus is heavily theoretical. If you are not interested in doing at least a little modeling, this is probably not the lab for you.
Ideally, you should have some background in both ecology and mathematics (though the latter is less common). You should also have some experience in independent research. Good grades are important. Most people will have gaps in these requirements – these can be filled in when you start grad school, but you should be aware that they do need to be filled.
Possible sources of funding and support include teaching assistantships, university fellowships, other scientific fellowships and grants. Only the first of these can be guaranteed.
If you are still interested in working with me, feel free to contact me (by email or letter). You should describe:
- your research interests
- why you want to work with me
- why you want to do a PhD
- your longer term goals
- your educational background
- your previous research experience
- any pertinent work experience
Don’t write an essay; just give me a feel for who you are!
If you are serious about coming here, you will need to apply to the Biology or the Ecology graduate program at Penn State University. Specific questions about applying should be directed to one of these programs. If you do apply, please let me know, so that I can look out for your application.
Best wishes,
Katriona Shea
Katriona Shea's Lab 