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 stable 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 two graduate students in my lab group. Daniel Keck is primarily working on the Kearney Foundation of Soil Science funded project "Scaling rhizosphere respiration and priming effects from single plants to field ecosystems". Biao Zhu is primarily working on the USDA funded project "Soil temperature and moisture controls of rhizosphere priming effects on soil organic carbon decomposition". Both Daniel and Biao expect to graduate in 2010. 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 (unofficial transcripts, GPA, GRE/TOEFL scores (if available)), and work/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.
I expect to admit 1-2 new Ph.D. students in Fall 2010. 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 Marissa Maciel, our graduate program coordinator, at 831-459-4136 or maciel@ucsc.edu
Best regards,
Weixin Cheng
8/25/2009