G eomicrobiology
&

E nvironmental

M icrobiology

S tudies   

Interested in being a Geomicrobiologist?

In the interdisciplinary GEMS group, Dr. Engel advises graduate and undergraduate students in either the Department of Geology and Geophysics or the Department of Biological Sciences. Prospective students should read the graduate admissions webpages for the specific department that they are interested in joining. Each of the sites includes information for the application process and details for the admission process. There are special requirements for international students.

• Admission Information to the Department of Geology & Geophysics

• Admission Information to the Department of Biological Sciences

Apply online to LSU.

Preferably, students who want to conduct research in geomicrobiology, environmental microbiology, low temperature geochemistry, microbial ecology, or biogeochemistry should first email or write Dr. Engel about their interests and previous experiences in their related fields. Please include your current educational status, your GPA (or equivalent), and GRE (and TOFEL, if applicable) scores.

Graduate research assistantships with Dr. Engel, teaching assistantships in each department, competitive fellowships and scholarships, and other types financial opportunities exist. To find out the cost to attend LSU at the undergraduate and graduate level, see Office of Student Aid and Scholarship. Graduate students are eligible for tuition waivers.

Additionally, interested students are encouraged to apply for fellowships and scholarships from federal and private agencies (e.g., the National Science Foundation). Inquire with your current academic institution or Dr. Engel for more information. Also, please note that application deadlines for competitive assistantships and fellowships are usually in the late fall to early spring semesters, so if you are considering going to graduate school, you will need to plan your application process well in advance of possible admission.

Post-doctoral research associates are encouraged to contact Dr. Engel if they are interested in working in the GEMS lab.

Why LSU for Geomicrobiology?

First, at LSU there are diverse opportunities for study, including research and coursework, within the broad field of Microbial Sciences through the Initiative in Integrative Microbial Biology. Faculty associated with this Initiative are within the College of Basic Sciences (Biology, Geology, Chemistry, etc.), the College of Engineering, and the College of the Coast and the Environment (e.g., Oceanography), to name a few. Other departments and units also participate. To see a listing of some relevant courses, see Course Webpage. This Initiative, also makes funding opportunities plentiful for students and researchers, as well a offers unique collaborations among faculty who have state-of-the-art molecular, physical, chemical, and field facilities and equipment.

Secondly, as the Flagship institution for the State of Louisiana, LSU is the largest academic institution in the State. The LSU system is critical to the state's economic, social, and educational growth. LSU has >30,000 undergraduates, >5000 graduate students, >1200 full-time faculty, and >3000 staff. LSU is also one of only 21 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant status. LSU has been designated a Doctoral granting institution with very high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. An overview of research excellence is outlined on the Research and Development website. The Flagship Agenda will continue to foster excellence for the LSU, its faculty, and the students at all levels.

Baton Rouge is a mid-size city in the south, and in addition to having all of the modern cultural, retail, and social opportunities of a city, there is still a warm and friendly atmosphere. Pleasant weather nearly year-round makes the campus and state a wonderful place to live and enjoy outdoor activities. LSU, with >1000 majestic live oak trees, azalea groves, and beautiful flower beds, was named among the 20 best campuses in America according to Thomas Gaines’s The Campus as a Work of Art.

PhD Students, Megan Franks (right) and Jeff Landrum, sampling geyser
water from a feature (the Great Geyser) at El Tatio, northern Chile. Jeff received his BS from LSU and both students are now at the Univ. of
Texas at Austin. Photo by A.S. Engel.
 

Research is currently funded through:

PhD Student, Daniela Meisinger (left) with Dr. Natuschka Lee (right) sampling microbial mats from Lower Kane Cave, Wyoming. Both are from the Technical University in Munich, Germany. Photo by A.S. Engel.

LSU MS Student, Angela Garcia (left), with Dr. Audrey Aronowsky dissecting lucinid clams for Angela's thesis research. Photo by A.S. Engel.

Fun caving in the Frasassi Caves, Italy... shown are Marco Menichetti, Art & Peggy Palmer, Megan Porter, Scott Engel, and folks from LSU!