Undergraduate Research
All you need to participate in research is genuine interest and a willingness to work hard. Most students in the lab work with our captive colony of poison frogs, but study animals have ranged from birds to picnic beetles. In the Dugas Lab, you will typically work on an established project in your first semester, and continue to work with a team throughout. Once you've learned the ropes and know what is possible, you can start thinking of your own idea that might be testable. Undergraduate students can register for research credit at ISU, and you should talk to your academic advisor about whether that works with your plan of study. Before contacting me, you should read this paper, which will give you a sense of the questions we ask.
All you need to participate in research is genuine interest and a willingness to work hard. Most students in the lab work with our captive colony of poison frogs, but study animals have ranged from birds to picnic beetles. In the Dugas Lab, you will typically work on an established project in your first semester, and continue to work with a team throughout. Once you've learned the ropes and know what is possible, you can start thinking of your own idea that might be testable. Undergraduate students can register for research credit at ISU, and you should talk to your academic advisor about whether that works with your plan of study. Before contacting me, you should read this paper, which will give you a sense of the questions we ask.
Graduate students
The lab is best equipped to facilitate work with captive poison frogs or free-living house sparrows, although any number of questions and approaches are appropriate and students with strong interest in the topics of communication, parental care, and begging can work with any organism. If you are interested in graduate research, you should contact me with a brief (1-2pg) letter explaining your experience, interests, and why you think my lab and Illinois State University would be a good fit. Reviewing recent publications is always helpful, and this paper in particular may give you an idea of the questions we ask. Graduate students are admitted through the School of Biological Sciences.
The lab is best equipped to facilitate work with captive poison frogs or free-living house sparrows, although any number of questions and approaches are appropriate and students with strong interest in the topics of communication, parental care, and begging can work with any organism. If you are interested in graduate research, you should contact me with a brief (1-2pg) letter explaining your experience, interests, and why you think my lab and Illinois State University would be a good fit. Reviewing recent publications is always helpful, and this paper in particular may give you an idea of the questions we ask. Graduate students are admitted through the School of Biological Sciences.