The Majoris Lab is OPEN and recruiting M.Sc. and Ph.D. Students.

Ongoing Research

The Majoris Lab studies the early development, ecology, and aquaculture of marine organisms. Some current lab projects involve:

1. Measuring intra- and interspecific variation in behavioral, physiological, and morphological traits that may influence larval dispersal distances.
2. Identifying the underlying genetic mechanisms that generate intraspecific variation in larval dispersal traits.
3. Using morphological and molecular techniques to identify species level patterns in the spatial distribution of marine fish larvae.
4. Assessing the ubiquity and adaptive function of parental hatching care and embryo hatching plasticity in cryptobenthic coral reef fishes.
5. Developing and optimizing aquaculture and stock enhancement protocols for marine species. 

While these projects are current lab priorities, I encourage students to come up with their own research questions that are well-aligned with the research interests of the lab.

Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs at Penn State University (PSU):
The Eberly College of Science and Fox Graduate School host graduate degree in both Biology and Ecology that are designed for students who wish to become knowledgeable leaders and professionals with an in-depth education and specialized skills in these fields. The programs promotes competency in the application of scientific methods of investigation to studies in biology with an emphasis on urban and coastal issues. Students develop a sense of creative independence that will allow them to practice in and contribute to a variety of professions including higher education, government, or private industry. This degree program combines the strength of a diverse, internationally recognized faculty with high scholarly productivity and extramural funding.​

Funding Opportunities

I currently have 2 years of funding support for a Ph.D. student. Additional student support is contingent on satisfactory performance and grant acquisition.

Students are expected to apply for nationally competitive graduate fellowships such as the NSF GRFP, NDSEG, NASA FINESST, EPA STAR, Gates Millennium Scholars Program, NDSEG, and the NOAA Nancy Foster that would enable them to acquire additional support for their graduate studies. PSU also offers scholarships for competitive applicants.

Because fellowships rarely cover a student’s entire graduate studies, students will generally be expected to work part-time as a teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA). Both RA and TA positions are dependent on availability and are a 20 hour/week commitment.

Get In Touch

If your research interests and career goals are aligned with those of the Majoris Lab, then please email Dr. Majoris to learn more about opportunities in the lab. 

Your inquiry must include:

1. A 1-page statement of interest that answers the following questions –
   1. How have your personal and academic experiences have shaped your research interests and prepared you for graduate studies in marine science?
   2. What are your primary research interests, and how do they align with the focus of the Majoris Lab? 
   3. What are your career goals and how would pursuing a graduate degree help you achieve those goals?
2. CV/resume – including degree(s), relevant work experience, and publications (if applicable).
3. Unofficial Transcripts – including GPA and coursework.
4. Academic References –including names and contact information for three referees.