Graduate work in my laboratory

My interests are rather varied (see Research Interests and Publications), so graduate student projects in my laboratory can potentially span a whole range of topics. Regardless of the project they choose, I expect students to address questions about aspects of the evolution and/or ecology of animal taxa in their research. This could include anything ranging from a project in molecular phylogeography to a population-based study of habitat selection and activity patterns. Although I am not limited taxonomically, most of the work in my laboratory involves non-avian reptiles and amphibians. It is worth emphasizing that my forays into behavioral ecology have been with Manuel Leal, who is extremely knowledgeable of this field, and most of the ideas presented in the papers that we have coauthored in this discipline are his.

With respect to my philosophy as mentor, I equally value hypothesis-driven and exploratory research programs (keeping in mind that nowadays is rather difficult to find outside funding for the latter), and try to include both approaches in my own research as often as possible. Finding one's own niche and developing an independent research program are critical aspects of graduate education. I therefore prefer that my students conduct research work that is independent of mine, and they generally must seek external funding for that work. I exhort all my students to adopt the maxim "it is not research until it is published," and I like to collaborate with them on at least one "side" project of mutual interest. I make sure that they play an active role in all stages of the publishing process, including data analysis and presentation, bibliographic research, manuscript preparation, and addressing comments from reviewers. I am convinced that students greatly benefit by getting this experience as early in their careers as possible.

I actively encourage my students to keep trying to refine their data-gathering techniques, to try new approaches, and to not hesitate to solicit advice when they judge it necessary. I urge them to accomplish in graduate school those things that will be expected from them in their chosen careers. For those pursuing academic jobs, that means applying for grants, presentation of research at national meetings, prompt submission of finished work for publication, striving for good teaching, and more importantly, a desire to achieve high quality scholarship. I much prefer to give praise and encouragement, but I do not hesitate in pointing out to my students aspects of their careers that I believe they can improve on.

Finally, but most importantly, I expect that my students bring with them the motivation, determination, and independence necessary to accomplish the goal of achieving in a timely manner a rewarding graduate education that prepares them well for the challenges of being a professional biologist. I realize that beginning graduate students are sometimes shy and even hesitant (I know I was!), but as time passes, I expect that they become progressively more confident on their abilities.
 

Admission to the Graduate Program in the School of Life Sciences

Admission to the School of Life Sciences is a two-pronged process, in that the applicant must (1) have an identified major professor willing to sponsor him/her, and (2) be among those students accepted by the admission committee. Because we guarantee five years of financial support, the School of Life Sciences typically admits only about a dozen new students each year from among a large pool of applicants. It follows that individual professors usually take on at most two new graduate students each year, and that qualified applicants are not admitted for lack of space in the program. Those things said, our program offers good opportunities for graduate students, and I encourage applications from those who feel their interests are compatible with mine (for details see Research Interests).
 

What to do if you want to apply to work in my laboratory

First, please send me a note (javier DOT rodriguez AT unlv DOT edu) in either English or Spanish introducing yourself, telling me what are your research interests, what research, if any, you have done in the past, and why you would like to work with me.

Second, check out the information about the admission requirements to the Graduate Program (go to http://sols.unlv.edu/prospective.html). To ensure full consideration, applications should be completed by January 15. Information about UNLV's Graduate College is found at <http://graduatecollege.unlv.edu>.
 

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