OCEES Fellows: Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The primary goal of OCEES is to support graduate students in ecological and evolutionary research at Ohio University. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) provides competitively awarded stipends to graduate students who are enrolled in masters or doctoral programs and are mentored by faculty members. The fellowship provides opportunities to carry out intensive field work, museum studies, or laboratory research.
OCEES Fellows
2021
Brian Waldron (BIOS)
"Historical and Ecological Biogeography of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)"
Sylvi Oh (PBIO)
"Bird-mediated Seed Dispersal of Herbaceous Plants in Secondary Forests"
2020
Tyler Goerge (BIOS)
"The thermal biology of behavior: implications for a changing climate”
Meredith Fitshen-Brown (BIOS)
"Effects of historical and current environmental variation on sexual selection in Xiphophorus fish”
Emily Watts (BIOS)
"Phylogeography and range limit evolution in the Cumberland Plateau Salamander”
Jann Nassif (BIOMED)
"Comparative morphology and biomechanics of the middle-ear sound conduction system in sauropsids (reptiles and birds)”
Funding
The fellowship program provides a stipend at the level of the degree sought within the student’s home department. The tuition waiver must be provided through the home department. The number of fellowships awarded will depend on the availability of funds; currently ~2 fellowships are awarded each academic year. Summer semesters are not funded.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be mentored by an OCEES faculty member and have a research focus in ecology and evolution.
- Have an approved thesis or dissertation research proposal filed in their departmental degree program before the end of the spring semester during the year they apply.
- Not have another research or teaching assistant stipend during the period of the fellowship.
Previous fellows may apply for an additional semester of support, but competitive proposals of first-time applicants are prioritized.
Responsibilities
OCEES Fellows:
- Will be required to present an Ecolunch seminar on their work during the spring semester as part of the Undergraduate Research Immersion Program (UGRIP) and present at the annual OU Research Expo.
- May be called upon for some service activities related to OCEES functions.
- Must submit one-page biographical sketch and a one-page report of research accomplishments after the completion of the fellowship.
- Must acknowledge support of the OCEES Fellowship in all communications and publication.
Criteria for Selection
Applicants will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
- Merits of the proposed project and meeting OCEES goals
- Evidence of success of their proposed research (publications and presentations)
- Progress of timely completion of degree requirements
- Justification of the need for the release from teaching
- Assessment of the advisor's letter of recommendation
Application Process
- PDF file named "YOURLASTNAME_OCEES_FELLOWSHIP" that includes application form and CV.
- One letter of recommendation sent from the student's faculty advisor (an active OCEES member) sent via email to the director. The letter should address the student’s degree progress in relation to eligibility for the award, and how release from teaching will enhance the student’s research and degree.
Submit applications to Professor Shawn R. Kuchta, OCEES Director at kuchta@ohio.edu. Deadline: January 31, 2025