I am currently looking to accept bright and motivated graduate students into my laboratory at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana. My primary research interests are linked by a common question: Why do populations fluctuate in time and space? Understanding spatiotemporal population dynamics of organisms is critical to conservation efforts and other applied goals (e.g. pest management), and represents an exciting and broadening field of ecology. My lab uses a combination of empirical and theoretical approaches, working at the interface of theory and application, to address questions that would be impossible to answer via only one of these approaches. I strive to understanding both the pattern and the underlying mechanisms driving complex spatiotemporal population dynamics across spatial landscapes.
I expect to be able to offer up to two research assistantships (grant proposals are pending). One will be to work on the effects of the grass Phragmites australis invasion on native communities in coastal marshes of Louisiana, and possible effects of hurricane disturbance on the rate of invasion and impact. Phragmites invasion occurs in discrete units, creating a patchwork of habitats that can have important effects on faunal dispersal and, thus, may have important influences on spatial population dynamics within marsh communities. The other potential research assistantship will be to develop risk assessment methods for potential invasive species using population viability analyses. The focal species in the project will be the spruce bark beetle, a native to Europe, a potential pest that is commonly intercepted in North American ports. The project will involve field research in Norway and possibly Belgium & France. The research assistantship would begin in the Fall of 2008. I am also open to graduate students pursuing any interesting research projects in the realm of population ecology (taxonomic group is open). Research projects can be either empirically or theoretically based, as long as they address ecological questions. In addition, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will offer up to 4 doctoral fellowships as well as an undetermined number of teaching assistantships to start in the Fall of 2008. Lafayette is located in proximity to a number of very interesting natural systems (e.g. forests, bayous, coastal habitats) and within a days drive of more arid habitat in Texas and more mountainous habitat in Arkansas), and has an active social scene with many festivals and free music events. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has built a strong program in ecology (visit <http://www.lafayettetravel.com/> http://www.lafayettetravel.com/ for information on the interesting cultural climate of Lafayette). Please view my website at <http://biology.louisiana.edu/johnson.html> http://biology.louisiana.edu/johnson.html for more information on my research and a list of representative publications. Feel free to contact me for reprint requests and if you are interested in applying to the biology program at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA. See <http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~pll6743/biogradstudies.htm> http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~pll6743/biogradstudies.htm for more information on the graduate program. <http://biology.louisiana.edu/> http://biology.louisiana.edu/ for more information on the department and the research interests of other faculty. I look forward to hearing from you. Derek Marley Johnson Assistant Professor Department of Biology University of Louisiana Lafayette, LA 70504 337-482-6987 office 337-281-3541 cell
