These blurbs are meant to better introduce our department’s newest members. the 1st year grads, and allow them to share their thoughts on the Biology Department and UW so far. Thanks to everyone for helping me with this post! – Chris Wells (fellow 1st year grad and blogger).
Ethan Linck is interested in avian phylogenetics and the biogeography of sky island systems, mountains isolated by drastically different lowlands. He chose to come to UW because he had spent two summers doing fieldwork for UW Biology graduate students, who spoke incredibly high of the department and did “cool stuff”. He also wanted to work with John Klicka, whose interests were a close match to his own, all while being affiliated with an active natural history museum (the Burke). He says “no other school could match UW for the enthusiasm, friendliness, and well-adjustedness of its graduate students or replicate the general warm-and-fuzzies” he felt on reflection. Another bonus: The North Cascades. Ethan finds the department to be collegial, collaborative, and challenging, while still allowing for lots of freedom and even a little fun.
William King chose UW for its strength in ecology and its general good vibe. The scientists here “balance research and life outside of work, which makes for an enjoyable department atmosphere.” He has found working in the department to be mentally challenging and invigorating. Will is interested in understanding the effects of temperature change on ecological communities and the mechanisms at different biological scales driving those effects. His study system is the rocky intertidal zone, particularly at UW’s marine lab, Friday Harbor, and the benthic invertebrates that exist there. Will works in Ken Sebens’ lab.
As a rotation student, Gideon Dunster, is still seeking out his research niche. He came to UW interested in pursuing research in neurobiology, physiology, microbiology, or genetics. To date, he’s worked in labs investigating molecular models of circadian rhythms, the effect of sleep cycles on academic performance, and the physics of muscle contraction. He came to the UW because, out of all the schools he interviewed at, this department was the most impressive. “It wasn’t just that the people were smart and the department was well published, it was that everybody was so kind and down-to-earth in a way that can be unique for a highly accomplished group of researchers”. Gideon finds the department “simply a delight” to work for. He says he’s been given great opportunities as a rotation student and has been given a lot of agency to work out his own path. The faculty and staff have been hugely supportive and his fellow graduate students have been “wonderful comrades”.
Megan Whitney chose UW because of the professional and personal community that was apparent during her interview. She loves the high level of interdisciplinary work conducted within the department as well as throughout the campus. The department has lived up to her expectations. Her first quarter was “incredibly busy, but very rewarding and a lot of fun!” Megan is in Christian Sidor’s lab studying vertebrate paleontology. Specifically she’s interested in major anatomical and physiological shifts in therapsids, the ancestors of mammals.
Meredith Bache-Wiig is generally interested in developmental biology and likes to think about how minute changes in genes and proteins can cause dramatic phenotypic differences. She’s currently rotating in Barbara Wakimoto’s lab and recently worked with David Parichy. She chose to come to UW because of the “really strong culture of interdisciplinary thinking”. Edith finds UW to be both challenging and fun. She particularly enjoys the other students in her cohort. She enjoys the opportunity to push herself mentally and is excited to see what’s down the road.
Katie Stanchak will be studying mammalian evolution and skeletal biomechanics in Sharlene Santana‘s lab. She’s especially interested in the wide variety of dietary specializations in mammals and how skeletal adaptations have contributed to this diversity. She was attracted to UW Biology by the open and collaborative nature of the department that was evident during the recruitment weekend. The Cascades are a nice bonus, too! So far, Katie has found grad school to be challenging, but exciting. She’s been impressed by how welcoming all of the faculty, staff, researchers, and other graduate students have been, and enjoyed the opportunity to explore many aspects of biology as she narrows her own research interests.
Now a little about me. I chose UW to work with my advisor, Ken Sebens, an expert on my research interest: sea anemones! I’m interested in looking at the aggregation behavior of subtidal sea anemones in Puget Sound. I love the amazing resources here, especially Friday Harbor. The collaborative nature and the general warmth and welcoming of the department has been amazing. The department makes a great effort to make certain that first year grads feel welcome to the department. I’ve particularly loved the ecoseminar here, where I’ve been able to rub shoulders with top ecologists, discussing the intricacies of ecology as it develops.Posted 12th January 2015 by Unknown
