Dear Prospective Graduate Students,
First of all, I thank you for your interest in my research, and the Ph.D. program of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
My research interest spans from root-soil interactions to the effects of global change factors (e.g., elevated CO2, nitrogen deposition, global warming) on belowground processes, and to global patterns of social-ecological entanglement (e.g., biospheric carrying capacity and ecological foundation of human societies). My lab group engages in research on ecological processes at varying scales from the rhizosphere to the landscape. These processes are integral components in carbon and nitrogen dynamics (e.g., production, respiration, root exudation, root turnover, decomposition, and nitrogen fixation). Our current research projects are taking advantage of recently developed methods such as minirhizotron root imaging and natural isotope tracing/labeling. Please refer to the web page on research for more information about ongoing and previous projects, and see my list of publications for research work.
Currently there are four graduate students in my lab group. Alex Gersheson has primarily been working on root turnover and its role in carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystem. One of Alex's research projects is about linkages of root dynamics with plant activities aboveground in a ponderosa pine plantation in the Western Sierras and in an oak-savanna ecosystem in the foothills of central California. Alex's main research tool is the minirhizotron imaging system. Sajeemas Pasakdee has mainly been working on the efficient use and better management of organic fertilizer in vegetable production in California. One of her studies involves the use of 15N natural abundance to better get at the issue of organic fertilizer use efficiency. Daniel Keck is interested in studying carbon and nitrogen processes along the geological chronosequence of the coastal terraces, and also interested in investigating carbon-nitrogen interactions in the rhizosphere. Biao Zhu has begun to work on the issue of temperature sensitivity of rhizosphere processes in the context of global environmental change. My lab group also has two post-doctoral fellows, Drs. Feike Dijkstra and Julia Gaudinski. Feike's research work here at UCSC has been focused on the rhizosphere effect on soil organic matter decomposition in terms of different plant species, soil types, and soil water conditions. Isotope tracers are at the center of his research methodologies. Julia is one of the pioneers who study tree root live spans using bomb carbon. There are also undergraduate students working in my lab group either as research assistants or graduating seniors doing their thesis work.
The Ph.D. program in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz is interdisciplinary by design and in practice. Students applying to this program are expected to have completed courses in ecology, economics, policy, and statistics. Courses and experience in plant and soil sciences are highly desirable if you want to work with me. If you want to apply to the Ph.D. program in Environmental Studies at UCSC under my sponsorship, I will appreciate that you first send me an e-mail covering: (1) your academic background, work experience, and especially your past research experience; (2) questions or hypotheses you plan to address in your dissertation research; (3) your ultimate career goals; and (4) what attract you to the Environmental Studies Program at UCSC and to my lab group.
It is my hope that this letter answers some of your questions regarding your search for a graduate program and a lab group that fits your needs and desire. If you have questions about the admissions procedure, please contact Kristina Loften, our graduate coordinator, at 831/459-4836.
Best regards,
Weixin Cheng