Prospective Graduate Students

Passionate about research on lake and watershed water quality, conservation, or sustainability?

Consider applying for an MS or PhD working with one of the faculty members from the Center for Great Lakes and Watershed Studies!

Interested students should directly contact faculty that match their research interests after looking at their lab websites (see below). Degrees will be through each faculty members' home unit, although co-advising by multiple CGLWS faculty provides some flexibility in choice of the degree program. Stipends and tuition waivers are typically provided to strong applicants through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Students may also apply for fellowships and grants through the CGLWS that may supplement the awards through each unit or faculty member (see below).

CGLWS faculty that are currently recruiting students:

Dr. Alexis Ostrowski: Research on watershed metal photochemistry and applications for agriculture and water quality

Dr. Kevin McCluney: Research on aquatic and linked riparian food webs, pharmaceuticals, wetland nutrient cycling, and soil health.

Dr. Kevin Neves: Research on integrated multi-trophic aquaponics systems

Dr. Angélica Vázquez-Ortega: Research on soil health, especially the role of organic carbon in nutrient cycling

Dr. Christopher Ward: Research on aquatic microbial ecology in both natural systems and algal cultivation ponds

Dr. James Metcalf: Research on aquatic ecotoxicology, especially cyanotoxins

Dr. Ganming Liu: Research on hydrology, especially groundwater and watershed modeling

Fellowships and Grants

Students who have submitted graduate applications and been accepted into relevant department programs (Biology (MS or PhD) , Photochemical Sciences (PhD), Geology (MS) to work with a CGLWS faculty member may apply for graduate research assistantships that provide an additional $2,500 stipend (awarded in the summer) in addition to other assistantships. Students who receive a fellowship typically have a GPA >3.5 and previous research experience and coursework in watershed studies, as well as any requirements expected of the relevant program. Once students have been accepted into the relevant program, they then work with their CGLWS mentor to apply for these research assistantships. Thus, students first find one or more CGLWS faculty mentors whose research aligns with their research experience and interests (see websites and read faculty publications). Then, prospective students communicate with these potential mentors explaining the rationale for wanting to work with this mentor. Students should include a cover letter, CV, and unofficial transcripts directly to the faculty member supporting their application. If the student is accepted into the program and the mentor supports the assistantship application, the faculty member will then forward the application to the CGLWS education committee, which will make award decisions. 

To be considered for these assistantships you need have applied to the relevant program, early, since the program review process can take considerable time. Decisions on these awards will begin on about March 1.