If you are interested in the possibility of joining the lab, please contact me directly and include a CV with contact information for references. If you are applying to a graduate program at Davis, please also send an unofficial copy of your college transcripts.

Postdoctoral researchers

I am always interested in potential postdoctoral applicants with prior experience and interest in evolutionary genetics. I encourage interested candidates to contact me to discuss fellowships and funding opportunities.

Potential postdoctoral fellowship opportunities include:

Esau fellowship • NSF • UC Mexus • USDA-NIFA • Ford Foundation • AAUW • NESCent • LSRF • UNCF/Merck • UC Chancellor’s Fellowship


Graduate students

I currently accept students through the Population Biology, Genetics, Plant Biology, and the Horticulture and Agronomy graduate groups. I am predominantly interested in students who have or are seeking independent sources of funding and are interested in studying some aspect of the evolutionary genomics of maize.

*We are currently looking for students who would be interested in investigating the population genetics of ancient DNA in maize.

Potential graduate student fellowships:

NSF • USDA-NIFA • HHMI • Hertz Foundation • Ford Foundation • UC Mexus • AAUW • Pioneer

Finally, there’s lots to think about when choosing a graduate school and a potential lab. I offer some thoughts of my own on things to think about and look for.

Undergraduate students

If you would like to gain some research experience, I often accept students through PLS/BIT 192 and PLS/BIT 199 for research credits. Past interns in the lab have worked on several projects, including:

  • bioinformatic analysis of transposable elements in the maize genome
  • experimental testing of fitness effects of candidate genes
  • ecological genetics of branching in the wild ancestor of maize
  • DNA extraction and germination testing of maize and its wild relatives
  • dendrochronology of a California oak