USDA FELLOWSHIPS IN AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY at Colorado State University The Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL) at Colorado State University has been awarded a grant by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support three PhD students in an innovative graduate program focusing on agricultural biosecurity related to science and management of invasive species. Students enrolled in this program will integrate the latest science into real-world decision-making and public policy, with the ultimate goal of advancing science and management of invasive species in agro-ecosystems and evaluating the threat of invasive species to the nation’s biosecurity.
Students will be based in the NREL, but may earn their degree through the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (GDPE: http://ecology.colostate.edu<http://www.ecology.colostate.edu/>) or through other departments with related degrees. Drs. Tom Stohlgren, Paul Evangelista, Jim Graham, Sunil Kumar, John Moore, Cynthia Brown, or other NREL faculty will serve as primary advisers to the fellows, and other professors and natural resource agency professionals will serve as mentors. Interested candidates with a background in environmental science, agriculture, forestry, ecology, geography, natural resources, or biology are encouraged to apply. Self-motivated students with experience in remote sensing, GIS, computer programming, statistical training, and strong communication and interpersonal skills are highly desired. Although all prospective students are eligible for these opportunities, applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in the field of Agricultural Biosecurity are especially encouraged. Students interested in applying for an Agricultural Biosecurity Fellowship should contact Dr. Sunil Kumar <http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/~sunil> ( [email protected]) or Dr. Paul Evangelista<http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/directory.html>( [email protected]) with a brief statement of interest and relevant qualifications. For full consideration, prospective students should submit completed admission forms by March 15th, 2011 to: (1) Colorado State University Graduate School ( http://graduateschool.colostate.edu); (2) the applicant’s choice of Department of study at Colorado State University Department (all graduate program applications can be found at their respective departmental websites; e.g., Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, GDPE: http://www.ecology.colostate.edu); and (3) the Agricultural Biosecurity fellowship information & admission form (found at http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/prospective-students.html). *Students Eligible for USDA Agricultural Biosecurity Fellowships:* · Are US citizens or Permanent Residents. · Plan to pursue their doctorates and seek careers in Agricultural Biosecurity, especially in science and management of invasive species in agro-ecosystems. · Must be admitted to the CSU Graduate School and a graduate program. Students will need to identify potential faculty advisor(s) from the selected graduate program. · Are committed to contributing to CSU's diversity plan. · Should apply to Agricultural Biosecurity program no later than March 15th 2011. *Requirements for Fellowship:** * · Maintain status as a full-time student and a 3.00 GPA. · Participate in all program activities including NREL’s K-12 partnership. *Benefits to Fellows:* · >$24,500 annual base stipend & additional summer assistantship for three years. · Guaranteed assistantships for remainder of successful tenure at CSU. · Research opportunities in the US & abroad supervised by world-renowned scientists. · Service learning & internship opportunities and opportunity to travel to east Africa. · Critical thinking skills developed through coursework and nurtured through active mentoring. · Opportunities for leadership roles in invasive species research, especially in agroecosystems. Support for these doctoral fellowships is provided by *USDA National Needs Graduate Fellowship* Competitive Grant No. 2011-38420-20085 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. --------------------------------- Sunil Kumar, PhD Research Scientist, Natural Resource Ecology Lab. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado-80523, USA. Phone: +1-970-491-7056 (off) Homepage: www.nrel.colostate.edu/~sunil
