In the Adler lab we strive to maintain an environment where we conduct great science and have fun doing it (most of the time), and where everyone feels supported and welcome. If you are excited about evolutionary ecology research at the interface between plants, pollinators, herbivores and pathogens, I look forward to hearing from you (lsadler@umass.edu).
We are committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in our lab, programs, and society at large. For example, as part of a new NSF grant Lynn collaborated with Dr. Enrique (Henry) Suárez (UMass School of Ed) to create an inclusive STEM pedagogy workshop attended by Adler lab members, who then created a new fall after-school program partnering with Eureka. Lynn facilitates mentor training using curriculum developed by the National Research Mentoring Network for faculty, postdocs and graduate students, served as a STRIDE fellow (Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence) and speaks on LGBTQ+ faculty panels. Many lab members have created and led new programs – check out their website links! There is always more we can do, and we welcome your feedback.
Eugene Amponsah, CAFE scholar
Graduate Students: The Biology Department at UMass Amherst does not have its own graduate program. Instead, faculty participate in the four interdepartmental graduate programs (IDGPs), which provide venues for connection and graduate training via faculty from many departments and the Five College Consortium. I typically accept students through Organismic and Evolutionary Ecology (OEB) graduate program.
The application process is competitive, and I encourage applicants to apply for alternative sources of fellowship funding if you are eligible, such as the NSF GRFP and the Ford Foundation Fellowship. I highly encourage applications from students from marginalized groups, including under-represented minority (URM), first-generation, and nontraditional students. There are programs at UMass that can provide application fee waivers, financial and networking support for students from marginalized groups; feel free to ask me for more information.
If you’d like to join my lab as a graduate student, I recommend contacting me as early in the process as possible with information about your research interests and background, and why you see my lab as a good fit for your career goals.
Our own Laura Figueroa has started her own Youtube channel, *All* welcome in science! She created “a new Youtube series, where amazing faculty, postdocs and current graduate students from across the US give insightful advice on topics such as what faculty members look for in grad applications, green/red flags to keep an eye out for, how to decide between Masters vs PhD, and many more. The first video (15 Tips for Getting Into a Life Science PhD Program) is all about how undergraduate students can set themselves up for success when applying to graduate school, and includes concrete advice about how and when to contact potential PhD advisors. Subscribe to the channel *All* welcome in science! as new videos are being added. This series is intended primarily for undergraduate students who are interested in going to graduate school in the life sciences and are looking for additional resources to help them reach their goals.”
Undergraduate students: We involve many undergraduates (and high school students!); many go on to conduct independent research and publish their work. If you are interested in joining the lab, feel free to email me with the following information: (1) your current GPA, year and major, (2) your research/career interests and how you see my lab as a good fit, (3) any research or related experience, (4) what kind of involvement you are looking for (volunteer? paid? course credit? summer positions?), (5) whether you are in the honors college, and (6) if you are a UMass student looking for a paid position, whether you are eligible for work study funds.
Postdoctoral researchers: If you are interested in working with me as a postdoc, there are some fellowship and other possible funding avenues, depending on your background, goals and interests. Feel free to contact me with your CV and description of your interests to see what we can figure out. Previous postdocs have been supported by USDA postdoctoral fellowships, NSF postdoctoral fellowships, and the OEB Darwin Fellowship (although the Darwin Fellows program no longer exists as an independent funding mechanism), as well as via my grants.