Ph.D. Student Openings in tropical South Florida, U.S.A.

The ecology and genomic biology of plant/insect and insect/symbiont interactions.

My lab is broadly interested in the biology of plant sap feeding insects. In particular we apply ecological, genetic and genomic approaches to studying the nitrogen metabolism of these tritrophic systems at two interfaces: the plant/insect interface and the insect/symbiont interface. Current graduate research opportunities include (but are not limited to) projects that focus on host plant responses to aphid feeding and characterization of regulators operating at the symbiotic interface in the aphid/Buchnera symbiosis. Methods employed include everything from experimental manipulation of insects and their host plants, stable isotope analyses through, gene expression analyses, functional genomics and whole genome sequencing.

The University of Miami's Department of Biology graduate program promises integrative training in the biological sciences with opportunities to collaborate with faculty in the Departments of Chemistry and Computer Science and UM's Medical and Marine Schools.

The Wilson lab was renovated in 2007 and offers excellent molecular lab, dry lab and plant growth facilities. Shared facilities available in the department include tissue culture, microscopy, molecular and shade house core facilities.

Fellowship-based, as well as teaching assistance-based financial support is available. All PhD students are guaranteed 10 semesters of tuition waiver and financial support. Applications for the 2011-2012 academic year close December 1st 2010.

International as well as national applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. In the case of international applicants, PhD programs in the USA can differ considerably from PhD training programs in other parts of the world, in particular with regard to the length of the training period. Dr Wilson, who earned her PhD from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, is more than happy to discuss any concerns potential applicants may have about these differences.

For more information please contact:
Alex Wilson
acwilson@bio.miami.edu

Lab webpage: http://www.bio.miami.edu/acwilson/home.htm
Faculty profile: http://www.bio.miami.edu/Fac/AWilson.html
Department of Biology: http://www.bio.miami.edu/
University of Miami: http://www.miami.edu/

Please also check out the research pages for other UM Department of Biology faculty, many of whom are also accepting students: http://www.bio.miami.edu/facultydirectory.html

Alex C. C. Wilson
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biology
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
+1 (305) 284 2003