Gilbert Foundation Fellowships for Forestry Research in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University
The School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University is pleased to offer fellowships for outstanding students interested in graduate studies in applied forest ecology and forestry at either the M.S. or Ph.D. level. Louisiana has an abundance of natural resources that are found in a diversity of terrestrial and aquatic habitats ranging from coastal marshes to upland forests. These resources, combined with the subtropical climate and the geomorphology of the state, are the foundation of the unique culture of Louisiana. Creative students are needed to investigate potential threats to the maintenance of southeastern forest resources, including urban sprawl, sea-level rise, altered climate patterns, and increasing harvest pressure; critical research is needed that can outline strategies to continue to sustainably manage these forests as population densities increase and environmental conditions change. Students are also needed to develop techniques for restoration of unique ecosystems associated with longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, and cypress-tupelo forests. We seek students with interest one or more discipline areas represented by faculty in the School, with the ultimate goal of basic or applied research that supports management and restoration of forest resources and habitats with the aim of enhancing the quality of life in Louisiana These fellowships allow the student considerable latitude in pursuing research interests by providing funding for graduate research and travel to present papers or posters at scientific meetings. In addition to a monthly stipend, the fellowship covers tuition, all fees, and it has an allowance for student health insurance. The fellowship program is supported by the Lucis Wilmont Gilbert Foundation for Forestry Research. Fellowship recipients must have academic credentials that generally place them in the upper 5 % of applicants to the graduate program in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, which is determined by GRE scores, GPA, letters of references, and other evidence of the applicant's potential. Though not specifically targeted in this announcement, students interested in M.S. degrees are encouraged to apply. For more information about research opportunities, look at our web site at http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/Research/Research.htm <http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/Research/Research.htm> . For information about the Gilbert Fellowship Program contact Professor Thomas J. Dean (fwdean at LSU.edu), School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
