Hi Andy, If your interests are in community/stream ecology I would definitely check-out the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. It is an excellent, but quite competitive program, but I think you would find what you're looking for.
As far as an initial email goes, it is always a good idea to briefly discuss your research interests along with any relevant experience you may have. Remember that the more experience you can get the better. It is also important to be professional in any email you send to potential supervisors. Also try not to get discouraged if finding a program takes a year or two. Hope this helps a little? Chris On Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 2:32 PM, Andrew Oguma <[email protected]> wrote: > I recently earned a BA biology concentration in ecology, minor in chemistry > from Western CT State University, graduating magna cum laude with some > academic awards. I have also been invited to speak at the North American > Lake Management Society International Symposium in Hartford, CT on October > 30th about my undergraduate research project. Although my research project > focussed on using herbivorous weevils to control Eurasian watermilfoil in > Candlewood Lake, my interest in pursuing a PhD is in stream > community/ecosystem ecology especially invertebrate communities. I am > looking for suggestions on professors and schools that may be suited to my > interests within the United States and preferably east of the Mississippi > River. I am also looking for any suggestions on what to include in an > initial e-mail and in general on how to "put my best foot forward," so to > speak. Finally, any suggestions from those who have been in my shoes are > welcome. I > intend to be accepted into a program for fall of 2010. Thankyou for your > time. Please feel free to contact me personally. My name is Andy Oguma and > my e-mail is as follows: > > [email protected] > -- Christopher Blair, Ph.D. Candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto and Department of Natural History Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen's Park Toronto, ON M5S 2C6 Canada (416) 333-2236 (cell) (416) 586-8094 (office) http://individual.utoronto.ca/chrisblair/index.html
