<div dir="ltr"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Teresa G. Gold</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:Teresa.Gold@ag.tamu.edu">Teresa.Gold@ag.tamu.edu</a>></span><br>Date: Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 10:43 AM<br>Subject: FW: PhD Opportunity - Applied Insect Ecology, Mississippi State University<br>To: Teresa G. Gold <<a href="mailto:Teresa.Gold@ag.tamu.edu">Teresa.Gold@ag.tamu.edu</a>><br>Cc: Miller, Andie <<a href="mailto:acm1161@msstate.edu">acm1161@msstate.edu</a>><br></div><br><br><div class="msg2953195420165575229">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Forward on behalf of Dr. Andie Miller<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Miller, Andie <<a href="mailto:acm1161@msstate.edu" target="_blank">acm1161@msstate.edu</a>>
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<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 5, 2026 12:41 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Teresa G. Gold <<a href="mailto:Teresa.Gold@ag.tamu.edu" target="_blank">Teresa.Gold@ag.tamu.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> PhD Opportunity - Applied Insect Ecology, Mississippi State University
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<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#212121">You don't often get email from
<a href="mailto:acm1161@msstate.edu" target="_blank">acm1161@msstate.edu</a>. <a href="https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification" target="_blank">
Learn why this is important</a> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black">Please circulate this funded PhD opportunity in Applied Insect Ecology at Mississippi State University. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">PhD Graduate Research Assistant – Applied Insect Ecology</span></b><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black">The Insect Ecology Lab at Mississippi State University seeks a motivated graduate student to pursue a PhD in Life Sciences with a concentration in Entomology, focusing on applied insect
ecology. The lab investigates the ecology, behavior, and population dynamics of agriculturally and ecologically significant insects through laboratory and field research. We emphasize independent, student-driven projects within a supportive and collaborative
environment and are committed to mentoring students to achieve their full potential while encouraging initiative, creativity, and professional growth.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">Project Themes</span></b><span style="color:black">: The lab’s flagship project focuses on the population ecology of the fall armyworm
<b>(</b><i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i><b>)</b>, examining strain-level variation in dispersal, host use, and responses to management. Students may also pursue independent projects in other insect systems exploring population, behavioral, and dispersal ecology;
host interactions and nutritional ecology; natural enemy and beneficial insect dynamics; pathogen–host interactions; and/or field population dynamics of invasive or emerging pests. Projects can incorporate laboratory, field, and molecular or analytical approaches
depending on student interests.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">Qualifications</span></b><span style="color:black">: We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and self-directed student with a strong interest in applied insect ecology. Successful
candidates will take ownership of their research while collaborating effectively with the lab team and external partners. Desired experience includes insect rearing, laboratory and field data collection, molecular or analytical techniques, and quantitative
analysis skills. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective written and oral communication abilities are essential. Students will gain experience in ecological experimentation, colony maintenance, molecular and analytical approaches,
and quantitative data analysis, with opportunities to present and publish results.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">Funding and Support</span></b><span style="color:black">: Funding is guaranteed for three years and includes tuition, a competitive stipend, and health insurance.
<b>The expected start date is August 1, 2026.</b><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">About the Department</span></b><span style="color:black">: The Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection brings together entomologists, plant pathologists, and weed scientists
in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. Faculty and students engage in applied and fundamental research across diverse insect and plant systems. The department has a strong legacy of entomological excellence and prepares students for careers in
academia, extension, and industry.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">Location</span></b><span style="color:black">: Starkville offers abundant outdoor recreation, a lively student community, local restaurants and festivals, and was voted the “Best Small
Southern Town” by USA Today in 2024 & 2025.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:black">To Apply</span></b><span style="color:black">: Review of applications begins<b> February 13, 2026</b>, and will continue until the position is filled. Submit the following to
</span><u><span style="color:#467886"><a href="mailto:acm1161@msstate.edu" title="mailto:acm1161@msstate.edu" target="_blank"><span style="color:#467886">acm1161@msstate.edu</span></a></span></u><span style="color:black">:</span><u></u><u></u></p>
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<u></u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u><span style="color:black">CV<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<u></u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u><span style="color:black">Brief statement of research interests<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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</span></span></span><u></u><span style="color:black">Contact information for three references<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black">Best regards, <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black">Andie <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Andie C. Miller, Ph.D.</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:black">Assistant Professor - Insect Ecology </span></i><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:black">Dept. Agricultural Science & Plant Protection</span></i><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Clay Lyle Entomology Building 129<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Starkville, MS, 39795<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">C: 219.307.3685<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/73a9168bd3b64d10aba00b4d23dd06d9@msstate.edu?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled&ep=bwmEmailSignature" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="20" height="20" style="width:.2083in;height:.2083in" id="m_2953195420165575229Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:ii_19c2f87f787c0874de32"></span></a><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#0078d4"><a href="https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/73a9168bd3b64d10aba00b4d23dd06d9@msstate.edu?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled&ep=bwmEmailSignature" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0078d4;text-decoration:none">Book time
to meet with me</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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</div></div><div><br clear="all"></div><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><a name="SignatureSanitizer_SafeHtmlFilter_UNIQUE_ID_SafeHtmlFilter_UNIQUE_ID_SafeHtmlFilter_UNIQUE_ID_SafeHtmlFilter__MailAutoSig" style="font-size:12.8px"><font color="#000000" size="1"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">C</font><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">hristiane Weirauch</font></font></a><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small">Professor & Chair</span><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small">Department of Entomology</span><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small">University of California, Riverside</span><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small"> </span><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small">Ph: 951-827-5707 (Office)</span><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small">Email: </span><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="mailto:christiane.weirauch@ucr.edu" target="_blank">christiane.weirauch@ucr.edu</a></font><div><a href="https://profiles.ucr.edu/christiane.weirauch" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small" target="_blank">https://profiles.ucr.edu/christiane.weirauch</a><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:x-small"> </span><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="mailto:christiane.weirauch@ucr.edu" target="_blank"><br></a></font><br></div></div></div></div>