Interested in Joining the Lab?
Postdocs
I welcome prospective postdocs to contact me about collaborative research ideas at any time. In addition to external funding opportunities (e.g., NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Smith Fellowship, Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships, HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows Program, Life Sciences Research Foundation, Helen Hay Whitney Foundation, USDA NIFA Fellowships), postdocs interested in joining my lab will be strong candidates for the Voss Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Institute at Brown for Environment & Society, but please note that it is unlikely that I will be able to endorse a Voss Postdoc applicant in 2020 or 2021.
I welcome prospective postdocs to contact me about collaborative research ideas at any time. In addition to external funding opportunities (e.g., NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Smith Fellowship, Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships, HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows Program, Life Sciences Research Foundation, Helen Hay Whitney Foundation, USDA NIFA Fellowships), postdocs interested in joining my lab will be strong candidates for the Voss Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Institute at Brown for Environment & Society, but please note that it is unlikely that I will be able to endorse a Voss Postdoc applicant in 2020 or 2021.
Graduate Students
A quick note on the impact of COVID-19: In part due to the impacts of the pandemic, I am unlikely to be able to recruit a new student to begin in the fall of 2021. I still encourage prospective students to reach out as there may be opportunities for those who have external fellowship support for 2021 or those who are open to applying for admission in 2022. I sympathize about all of the uncertainty and challenges of the past year and I am hopeful that the next year will provide more opportunities in my lab for prospective PhD students.
To learn more about the graduate program at Brown University, please visit the Graduate Program website in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and read our Graduate Student Handbook. Graduate students will apply to join the lab through EEB, and those who pursue research with a significant conservation component will benefit from unique opportunities within the Institute at Brown for Environment & Society (IBES).
Graduate students in my lab may engage in basic research and in research with real-world conservation or biomedical impacts. Research may occur in the lab and field. I encourage students to cultivate interest in great research ideas more than particular research tools.
Before applying, prospective students should contact me with a brief description of your research interests, experiences, and career goals. Please include a copy of your CV. Eligible prospective students are encouraged to apply to NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (due in October), the Ford Foundation's Predoctoral Fellowship (due in December), and the Hertz Foundation's Fellowship (due in October). International students may be eligible to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to attend grad school in the USA (deadlines and procedures vary depending on country).
#GRExit. Please note that Brown's EEB program does not consider GRE scores in any official capacity.
Applying with a Diversity & Inclusion Statement. Our lab prioritizes an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging environment. We value the benefits of diversity and diverse perspectives in ecology, evolution, and the environment—including the diversity of lived experiences among racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds as well as gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, and veteran status. Although it is not a required part of the application to join our graduate program, I invite prospective students to include a brief ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ statement as part of their application essay. This is a statement that describes your unique perspective, experience and/or plans to engage in activities that would enhance diversity and equity efforts in our lab, department, university, and/or discipline. The statement should provide evidence of your commitment and ability to engage with issues of diversity and inclusion in your graduate school career and beyond—it can be informed by your lived experience but need not focus on or disclose personal aspects of your identity.
A quick note on the impact of COVID-19: In part due to the impacts of the pandemic, I am unlikely to be able to recruit a new student to begin in the fall of 2021. I still encourage prospective students to reach out as there may be opportunities for those who have external fellowship support for 2021 or those who are open to applying for admission in 2022. I sympathize about all of the uncertainty and challenges of the past year and I am hopeful that the next year will provide more opportunities in my lab for prospective PhD students.
To learn more about the graduate program at Brown University, please visit the Graduate Program website in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and read our Graduate Student Handbook. Graduate students will apply to join the lab through EEB, and those who pursue research with a significant conservation component will benefit from unique opportunities within the Institute at Brown for Environment & Society (IBES).
Graduate students in my lab may engage in basic research and in research with real-world conservation or biomedical impacts. Research may occur in the lab and field. I encourage students to cultivate interest in great research ideas more than particular research tools.
Before applying, prospective students should contact me with a brief description of your research interests, experiences, and career goals. Please include a copy of your CV. Eligible prospective students are encouraged to apply to NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (due in October), the Ford Foundation's Predoctoral Fellowship (due in December), and the Hertz Foundation's Fellowship (due in October). International students may be eligible to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to attend grad school in the USA (deadlines and procedures vary depending on country).
#GRExit. Please note that Brown's EEB program does not consider GRE scores in any official capacity.
Applying with a Diversity & Inclusion Statement. Our lab prioritizes an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging environment. We value the benefits of diversity and diverse perspectives in ecology, evolution, and the environment—including the diversity of lived experiences among racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds as well as gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, and veteran status. Although it is not a required part of the application to join our graduate program, I invite prospective students to include a brief ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ statement as part of their application essay. This is a statement that describes your unique perspective, experience and/or plans to engage in activities that would enhance diversity and equity efforts in our lab, department, university, and/or discipline. The statement should provide evidence of your commitment and ability to engage with issues of diversity and inclusion in your graduate school career and beyond—it can be informed by your lived experience but need not focus on or disclose personal aspects of your identity.
Undergraduates
Members of our lab come many departments: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (DEEPS), Computer Sciences, and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry. As members of the research group, students can conduct research in our DNA lab, on the computer, and field sites in Rhode Island and around the world.
When to consider opportunities in the lab. Earlier is better, but it’s never too late. Often students begin considering opportunities in their sophomore/junior years. Timelines may vary depending on department, experience, and personal histories.
Why join this lab.The reasons are many. I welcome students to just “check out” what it’s like to do research in our lab if interested in a topic that we study or in developing a particular skillset. I do not require prior experience with advanced genetics, ecology, or statistics—there are opportunities to learn! I provide support for students in the lab at every stage, from just getting involved, to applying for research funding, to leading an Independent Study or Honors Thesis.
Where do students go from here? Prior graduates have gone on to win Fulbright Scholarships, enter graduate programs in biology and the environment, and accept job offers ranging from molecular biologists at biotech startups to associates at nature-based conservation organizations.
How to get involved. If you think you’re interested in joining the lab, please spend a bit of time learning about our research projects and publications. Then please contact Dr. Kartzinel by email to introduce yourself. Include your academic year, concentration, and a brief description of why you think our research interests might overlap. Many students get involved by attending our Lab Meetings, which are are opportunities to discuss current research. By attending Lab Meeting, you will get to know existing members of the lab and learn about upcoming research opportunities.
Please take note of the amazing work led by grad students and postdocs in the group—they are outstanding mentors and you should feel free to discuss possibilities with them! Past and current undergraduates are also a great source for advice.
Undergraduate research funding. Please keep in mind that expenses will vary depending on what type of research you wish to do, and what funded opportunities already exist in the lab. I can help identify needs and opportunities. Applying for funding to support your field and lab work can be an important part of the research process. Below are some useful sources for funding opportunities at Brown and beyond.
External: Udall Scholarship, Hollings Scholarship, IBES website.
Internal: Voss, Royce, UTRA.
Members of our lab come many departments: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (DEEPS), Computer Sciences, and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry. As members of the research group, students can conduct research in our DNA lab, on the computer, and field sites in Rhode Island and around the world.
When to consider opportunities in the lab. Earlier is better, but it’s never too late. Often students begin considering opportunities in their sophomore/junior years. Timelines may vary depending on department, experience, and personal histories.
Why join this lab.The reasons are many. I welcome students to just “check out” what it’s like to do research in our lab if interested in a topic that we study or in developing a particular skillset. I do not require prior experience with advanced genetics, ecology, or statistics—there are opportunities to learn! I provide support for students in the lab at every stage, from just getting involved, to applying for research funding, to leading an Independent Study or Honors Thesis.
Where do students go from here? Prior graduates have gone on to win Fulbright Scholarships, enter graduate programs in biology and the environment, and accept job offers ranging from molecular biologists at biotech startups to associates at nature-based conservation organizations.
How to get involved. If you think you’re interested in joining the lab, please spend a bit of time learning about our research projects and publications. Then please contact Dr. Kartzinel by email to introduce yourself. Include your academic year, concentration, and a brief description of why you think our research interests might overlap. Many students get involved by attending our Lab Meetings, which are are opportunities to discuss current research. By attending Lab Meeting, you will get to know existing members of the lab and learn about upcoming research opportunities.
Please take note of the amazing work led by grad students and postdocs in the group—they are outstanding mentors and you should feel free to discuss possibilities with them! Past and current undergraduates are also a great source for advice.
Undergraduate research funding. Please keep in mind that expenses will vary depending on what type of research you wish to do, and what funded opportunities already exist in the lab. I can help identify needs and opportunities. Applying for funding to support your field and lab work can be an important part of the research process. Below are some useful sources for funding opportunities at Brown and beyond.
External: Udall Scholarship, Hollings Scholarship, IBES website.
Internal: Voss, Royce, UTRA.
