The RISK lab is accepting graduate students for Fall 2020 admission.  I encourage students to reach out well in advance to evaluate whether the lab is potentially a good fit. In general, our lab addresses questions related to the evolutionary ecology and human health using the concept of One Health. We mix methods from social sciences and biological sciences, including interviews, behavioral observations, and laboratory analysis of pathogens and health biomarkers. Students with experience in these or related methodologies will be most competitive. Depending on your interests and experiences, graduate students may choose to design their research around one of our current projects or develop an independent project related to the anthropology of human health. Incoming graduate students may choose to come in through the Department of Anthropology or Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at Penn State and have the opportunity to join the vibrant Centre for Infectious Disease Dynamics (CIDD). Students interested in Human Ecology can learn more about our excellent and integrative program here.  

I am happy to discuss specific opportunities with prospective students. Through inquiry emails, I would enjoy hearing about your research interests, the research questions you hope to address during graduate school, and a little about the methods you are interested in using. I understand (and expect) that these interests will evolve or even change completely, but it is important to articulate your early interests as well as the experiences that have shaped them. We look forward to hearing from you!