We seek MS or PhD students to assist with ecological projects related to conservation of at-risk butterflies. Please see our website for overview of our research approach, list of publications, and letter to prospective graduate students at http://research.vancouver.wsu.edu/cheryl-schultz
For Fall 2014, we seek graduate students for two studies. 1) We are involved in a multi-institution project investigating source-sink dynamics using butterflies as a model system. Current work involves landscape-level modeling based on field- based observations of demography and behavior. New graduate student projects will focus on landscape models (SEIBMS = Spatially Explicit Individual Based Models) using field-based data to ask questions in the context of source-sink dynamics. 2) Several projects in our lab focus on the potential non-target effects of herbicides on butterflies. Selective herbicides are increasingly a preferred management tool because of their ability to target problem invasive species with minimal impact on most native plant species. Studies in our lab to date suggest lethal and sub-lethal effects that may impact sensitive non- target species. We are starting a new multi-site study to investigate potential advantages and consequences of grass-specific herbicides on butterflies as well as other invertebrates and plants in the prairie community. Washington State University Vancouver is a new campus in the WSU system located in Southwest Washington just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon and is close to Willamette Valley and South Puget Sound prairies. Currently with ~3000 students, it is a new and rapidly growing campus in the WSU system. Students benefit from outstanding faculty, world-class research, state-of-the-art facilities and small class sizes. Interested students should look at the Letter to Prospective Graduate Students and send a CV/resume, transcripts and a letter describing past research experience and future research interests to Cheryl Schultz, schul...@vancouver.wsu.edu. Graduate applications receive priority consideration if received by January 10, 2014 for Fall 2014 admission. I encourage all interested students to get in touch to learn more about the program and research in our lab.
