I am seeking two outstanding students to pursue one PhD and one MSc degrees in forest entomology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. Current research in my lab explores questions of broad relevance to invasion biology and ecology, emphasizing chemical ecology of forest insects. By doing so, my group integrates forestry, entomology, pathology, and plant chemistry approach to characterize chemical interactions among interacting organisms (trees, insects, pathogens), determine effects of the environment and climate on altering the tripartite interactions, and understand the effects of the tripartite interactions on fitness of interacting organisms. I currently supervise two PhD and one MSc students and co-supervise one MSc and one PhD students and one postdoctoral researcher. Currently I am involved in several research projects in Canada, US and Europe.
MSc student will focus on a USDA-NRI funded project characterizing the species of symbiotic bacteria associated with mountain pine beetle and different pine species and to evaluate the roles of symbiotic bacteria in mediating host utilization of the beetle in portions of its historical and emerging geographic and host ranges. Our hypothesis is that bark beetles employ specific bacteria to inhibit antagonistic fungi and facilitate symbiotic fungi, and that adapted trees employ endophytic bacteria to inhibit the beetles' symbiotic fungi. The project specific to the MSc student will determine effects of the predominant bacteria, fungi, and their combinations on mountain pine beetle reproduction, and how tree species affect these interactions in the lab. This is a joint project among Cameron R Curry (http://www.bact.wisc.edu/faculty/currie) and Kenneth F Raffa (http://entomology.wisc.edu/~raffa) (University of Wisconsin, Madison) in US, and Brian H Aukema (http://web.unbc.ca/~aukema) (Canadian Forest Service) and my lab (http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/rr/) in Canada. The PhD student will focus on an Alberta Ingenuity-funded project emphasizing the roles of native biotic agents, such as insects and diseases, in range and host expansion of mountain pine beetle in western Canada. The goal of this project is to lay out a blueprint of how interactions among trees, insects and microorganisms can be used as a proactive (or pre-emptive) method to understand the risk potential of species invasion. Depending on the interest and quality of the applicant, the project offers considerable flexibility in designing a research program that investigates areas of personal interest within the overall framework of the project. Background in ecology, entomology, chemical ecology, or a related field is required, as is an interest in the linkages between trees and insects. Experience with any of the following will be an asset, but is not required: plant-insect interactions, chemical ecology, and forest ecology. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Selection of a student will be based on academic achievements, reference letters and previous research experience. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Tuition and fees and a standard Graduate Assistantship can be offered. Students are also eligible for Tri-Council graduate scholarships (e.g. NSERC) in their first year. Both positions are available starting January 2010, but not later than May 2010. The applicant must meet the entrance requirement for The University of Alberta, Department of Renewable Resources, which can be viewed at: http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/rr/phdprograms.cfm. Interested candidates should e-mail (1) their transcript, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a letter describing their research experience and interests (2 page limit), (4) recent TOEFL scores (if appropriate), and (5) the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Nadir Erbilgin, Department of Renewable Resources, 230-A Earth Science Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, CANADA. Phone: (780)-492-8693; Fax: (780)-492-1767. Additional information can be obtained via email or phone call. Email: [email protected].
