First Experiences as a Ph.D. Student in Biological Sciences
Pulling up stone crab traps in the Keys last summer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
To begin my blog, I thought I would share with you a bit about the first two years of my quest for a Ph.D. in biological sciences. Since I received my M.S. from Florida Tech, many of those credits transferred into my Ph.D. program, which was nice because after 3 semesters, I was done with my formal course work.
During my first year, I designed and wrote a proposal to receive funding for my Fortunately, I received funding from Mote Marine Laboratory’s “Protect Our Reef” license plate grants. Have you seen the coral reef license plates? If so, I am living proof that the extra money you pay to have this license plate goes toward scientific research. Thanks for supporting a great cause. My project evaluated the effects of lower ocean pH on embryonic development in Florida’s commercially important stone crabs. The importance of the research I am working on for my dissertation is to see what the impact predicted climate scenarios will have on crustacean fisheries using the stone crab as a model. We are currently working to edit and submit the manuscript for publication. Below are some pictures from the work I did last summer:
- Cleaning out the reservoir tanks before my experiment started
Aside from taking classes, writing proposals and publishing manuscripts, another part of being a Ph.D. student in biological sciences is working as a teaching assistant. Currently, I am a teaching assistant for the invertebrate zoology class. As a teaching assistant you receive a stipend and get part of your tuition paid. In return you are required to teach laboratory sections for a particular course. This is the second time during my Ph.D. that I am teaching invertebrate zoology. I truly enjoy teaching this course. The diversity of invertebrates is amazing and there is nothing better than teaching about something you are passionate about.
Right now I am about half-way done with my Ph.D. in biological sciences. At this time, I am working on my dissertation proposal. The topic of my dissertation is to test what the effects are combined climate stressors, like temperature and high CO2, have on embryonic development, larval growth, and behavior. Once my proposal is written, I am required to defend my proposal before my committee. As a Ph.D. student you get to select a group of professors to serve on your committee who will critique your work. After I turn in my proposal, my committee will challenge me by asking questions about my experimental design and the research I intend to perform.
More adventures in the life of a Ph.D. student to come next time!
