Tuesday Tunes – Entomologist – Heather Wilson

 Academia, Entomology, Life as a Grad Student, Pop Culture, Tuesday Tunes  16 Responses »
Dec 202011
 

As a scientist, I’ve come to expect the unexpected. When I started working with fruit flies, my advisor and I thought it’d take 6-8 months to complete (it ended up taking almost 18 months of work spread out over 4 years). When I began my Master’s, I expected to finish in 2 years,  yet 11 semesters later I proudly defended. Throughout my academic career, it’s been proven time and again that nothing comes easily, and speed bumps lurk beneath the surface waiting to slow your research down. So although I was crushed and extremely disappointed yesterday, a part of me wasn’t surprised to learn my Ph.D. NSERC proposal was not selected by the university for further consideration.

There’s nothing that compares to reading that rejection letter, informing you again that you were oh so close, but please try again next year. This isn’t my first experience with the email-of-academic-death, but its repeated blows don’t soften the pain. It can be easy to blame yourself (“If I’d only gotten one more manuscript submitted…”), others (“They don’t appreciate the work we do as taxonomists…”) or even the system (“Interdepartmental politics sidelined my chances from the start…”), but it’s important to not  give in to feelings of inadequacy or contempt imposed on you by awards committees.

No, I choose to funnel my frustration into proving those awards committees wrong, that they missed their opportunity to contribute to my rising academic star. I know I’m a damn good scientist and a damn good taxonomist, with ideas that will force others to take notice, a work ethic to out-compete my peers, and, most importantly, the drive to become a leader in my field. While the perks which come with NSERC scholarship make life & research easier, I have excelled without them by substituting harder work for financial freedom, and am now better prepared to face all trials I am confronted with. If the awards committee of today fails to see that, it’s their loss, not mine; I’ll find a way, and give my acknowledgement to someone else.

And when I return with Ph.D. in hand and apply to join their ranks as faculty, I know they’ll see a stronger researcher; one who has dealt with adversity; one who has done what was necessary to surpass his goals; and one who has the ability to lead where others follow. I have friends and colleagues who challenge, inspire and drive me, a wife who supports and comforts me, and an ego that won’t lay down and die.

So look out dammit, because I don’t just want to be an entomologist. I will be an entomologist.

Looking for an Entomology Graduate Degree?

 Entomology, Graduate Opportunity, Life as a Grad Student  No Responses »
Aug 302010
 

I thought I’d pass along a few entomology graduate positions that have been posted for universities in Ontario:

Pollination Ecology of Dacus carota (Umbelliferae) – M.Sc. – Dr. Fiona F. Hunter, Brock University, St. Catherines

Dr. Fiona F. Hunter has funding available to support one MSc graduate student for 2 years (effective immediately) to study the pollination ecology of Daucus carota. This includes both edible carrot and its wild relative, Queen Anne’s Lace. Daucus carota is characterized by having a dark central floret. Darwin, himself, speculated that the dark central floret may now be functionless and possibly represents a trait that has persisted long after its original function has been lost. Other researchers have postulated that the dark central floret serves to attract pollinators to the flower. This MSc opportunity will be aimed at determining what insects are common visitors to edible carrot and to Queen Anne’s Lace, how these insects affect seed set, and whether the dark central floret is adaptive or not. The student who undertakes this project will have a strong background in ecology and evolution, entomology and biostatistics.
If you are interested in this MSc opportunity, please send a covering letter, cv, unofficial transcript and a statement of interest to: Dr. Fiona F. Hunter, Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1 or email the documents to fhunter@brocku.ca

Speciation and Mating Systems in the Arctic Butterflies (genus Oeneis) Ph.D. – Dr. Gard W. Otis, University of Guelph

Macoun’s Arctic (Oeneis macounii) and other butterfly species in the genus Oeneis are reported to have biennial life cycles, with individuals requiring two years to develop from egg to adult. Preliminary evidence indicates that this 2‐year life cycle is obligatory in O. macounii. This presents the possibility that even‐year populations are reproductively isolated from odd‐year populations. The central question is: has allochrony caused by their two year life cycle resulted in genetic and morphological divergence between even‐ and odd‐year populations? This question will be explored through laboratory sequencing and computer analyses of both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA regions as well as landmark‐based morphometric analyses. In addition, field studies will lead to a better understanding of adult ecology, dispersal, and male‐male competition in one or more lekking species.
Applicant must have a strong interest and background in ecology and evolution as well as excellent writing abilities. Experience with entomology, DNA amplification and sequencing, animal behaviour and/or biostatistics will be strengthen your application. You must meet the minimum conditions of NSERC Scholars (i.e. citizen or permanent resident of Canada; minimum 80% average in your last two years of study). Completion of an MSc degree is preferred, but students with an honours BSc degree and very strong academic record will be considered.
If you are interested in this PhD opportunity, please e‐mail or mail a covering letter, cv/resume, unofficial transcript and a statement of interest to: Dr. Gard W. Otis, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, gotis@uoguelph.ca

Please contact the advising professor if you want more information. Good luck!