M.S. Research assistantship in mammal host ecology and tick borne
diseases at Texas State University.
I am currently accepting one graduate student interested in doing
research on the ecology of mammalian hosts and their role to sustain
tick populations and pathogens vectored by these
ectoparasites. Applicants should be highly independent and
motivated. Previous field experience trapping small and medium size
mammals is highly preferred (familiar with the use of Sherman and
Tomahawk traps). The work will involve some intensive fieldwork with
long hours in the field at sites in Texas. Careful note taking and
great organization skills to handle data gathering, sample
organization, etc. are essential skills. A current driver's license
will be needed for use of lab vehicle.
Current research in my lab examines the relationship between mammal
ecology and prevalence of disease agents (i.e., Hantavirus, Borrelia,
Trypanosoma) in reservoir species and how this changes along
environmental and disturbance gradients. The ultimate goal of the
research at my lab is to generate models of predictive value of
zoonotic disease outbreaks and a main question imbedded within this
goal is to determine the role of mammal diversity as a factor of
disease spread.
The Biology Department
(<http://www.bio.txstate.edu/>http://www.bio.txstate.edu/) of Texas
State University (<http://www.txstate.edu/>http://www.txstate.edu/)
has a M.S. program in wildlife ecology with an emphasis on the
application of ecological principles to studies in wildlife ecology
and natural resource management. The main campus is conveniently
located in central Texas along the I-35 corridor and close to both
Austin and San Antonio. Details about the entry requirements for
this graduate program can be found here
(<http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/>http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/and
<http://www.bio.txstate.edu/graduate.html>http://www.bio.txstate.edu/graduate.html).
Student salary will be through mostly by federal grant support and
might involve also support as an instructional assistantship (TA).
Applicants need to meet the entrance requirement for the program,
department and university. The highly preferred start date is for
Fall 2015 (university application deadline is June 15) but if no
suitable student is found right away then the potential start date
would be for spring 2016. Given the close date for the university
applications I encourage interested students to send their
applications asap. Position will be open until filled.
For more details about my lab you can visit my website (http://
www.bio.txstate.edu/contacts/faculty/Ivan-Castro-Arellano--Ph-D-.html
) where I have a description of my research and past
publications. Interested individuals should email me, Dr. Ivan
Castro-Arellano, to ic13(at)txstate.edu with the subject line:
Prospective Student. Please attach a single pdf document that
includes a brief description of your research interests and why you
would like to join the lab, a CV (including GPA and GRE scores), a
scanned copy of your transcript (non-official is fine), and contact
information for two references.
-------------------------------------------------------
Ivan Castro-Arellano, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Texas State University - San Marcos
Supple Science Building 234
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone (512) 245-5546
Fax (512) 245-8713
http://www.bio.txstate.edu/contacts/faculty/Ivan-Castro-Arellano--Ph-D-.html
---------------------------------------------------------