Graduate student opportunities 

Message to Prospective Graduate students from Dr. Peter Thomas

Thank you for your interest in graduate research in my laboratory. I am interested in admitting one or two new students into our research group in Fall 2009.  I encourage you to contact me by email if you have any questions. My responses to some frequently asked questions are summarized below.

Research Philosophy:  Students are encouraged to develop independent research projects that reflect their research interests within the broad framework of fish reproductive physiology and endocrine toxicology. I do not require students to work extensively on funded projects unrelated to their thesis or dissertation research. This enables them to devote most of their efforts on their own project. However, they are expected to provide some assistance from time to time in the completion of funded projects while they are supported by grants. Doctoral research projects aim to address important questions at the forefront of science that are technically feasible and can be accomplished within a reasonable time frame. This has resulted in many “firsts” for my graduate students, publication in top journals, and strong foundations for their careers.  Master research projects are more directed and less ambitious in scope so that they can be completed  within 18 months. However, the quality of the science is invariably high and is also published in top journals. 

Research Group:  Currently I have three students two Ph.D. students have recently graduated.  Over the past year I have had several postdoctoral fellows in my laboratory.  Currently I have 2 research technicians in my group. In addition, several visiting scientists and students from the U.S. and abroad will join the research group for various periods.

Financial Support:  I  provide both salary and tuition support for all students under my supervision while they are enrolled as fulltime students and remain in good standing. The Department of Marine Science (DMS) provides salary support for students during the first year while they are taking classes in Austin by providing Teaching Assistantships (TA). Students move to the Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas at the end of the first academic year and thereafter are supported by a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) on one of my grants or by a competitive Research Fellowship. The current salaries for students on a TA or GRA ranges from $1800/month (Masters and beginning students) to $1900/month (Doctoral students advanced to candidacy). The tuition costs are paid for  students whether they are on a TA, GRA, or fellowship. In addition DMS provides funds for student travel every year.

Housing: Inexpensive university housing is available for both single and married students on the Marine Science Institute campus.  All university housing is furnished and includes standard major appliances.

Student Life:    Although the graduate student community is relatively small (20-25 students), it is a close knit group. Students come from a variety of different states and countries, and there is a comparable mix of married and single students. Overall, it is a friendly, welcoming community for incoming graduate students.  For more information on UTMSI students, check out the GSA homepage.