Master’s and PhD Students

Thank you for your interest in pursuing graduate research in the Dutton Lab at the University of Florida! I am actively recruiting motivated graduate students interested in ecosystem ecology, microbiomes, conservation biology, and related fields.

Research Focus Areas

Our lab pursues interdisciplinary research at the intersection of:

  • Ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry
  • Microbial ecology and metagenomics
  • Wildlife conservation and zoogeochemistry
  • Environmental DNA and molecular ecology
  • Water quality monitoring and aquatic ecosystems
  • Conservation genomics and community ecology

We conduct field work in Africa (Kenya, South Africa), Florida, and other ecosystems, combined with cutting-edge laboratory automation, nanopore sequencing, and bioinformatics approaches.

How to Contact Me

If you are interested in pursuing graduate research in the Dutton Lab, please send me an email with the following information:

Send me an email with the following…

Subject Line: “Prospective Graduate Student - [Your Name]”

Please include:

  1. A brief cover letter (1 page) describing your research interests, career goals, and why you’re interested in our lab
  2. Your CV including publications or research experience
  3. A brief description of a potential research project or area you’d like to pursue (1 paragraph)

I read all emails personally and encourage you to also explore fellowship funding opportunities below to strengthen your application and secure independent support for your graduate work. It is possible to be admitted on a Teaching Assistantship into the Biology Graduate program but can be difficult. Coming in with your own money or on a grant is a bit easier to get admitted into the program.

Graduate Fellowship Funding Opportunities

Securing external fellowship support strengthens your graduate application, provides financial independence, and gives you greater flexibility to pursue your research interests. The fellowships listed below are well-suited to ecology, conservation, and biology graduate students and are portable to the University of Florida.

U.S. Federal Fellowships

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Deadline: Mid-October (varies by field; typically October-November)
Award: $37,000/year stipend + $16,000/year tuition/fees coverage for 3 years out of 5-year fellowship period
Eligibility: US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; must be early in graduate career (≤1 academic year of full-time graduate study); research-based master’s or PhD in STEM fields

The NSF GRFP is one of the most prestigious and competitive graduate fellowships in the United States. It provides three years of support, no service obligation post-completion, and is portable to any accredited US institution. The fellowship emphasizes both intellectual merit and broader impacts of your research.

Website: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program

Tip: Apply as an undergraduate senior or during your first year of graduate school. Biology and ecology projects can fit within NSF’s research scope. UF Graduate School offers application workshops in late summer.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship

Deadline: Mid-November (typically November 15-17)
Award: Full tuition and fees + $43,200/year stipend ($3,600/month) + up to $1,600 health insurance for 3 years
Eligibility: US citizens, nationals, or dual citizens; undergraduate seniors or graduate students with <2 years of full-time graduate study; pursuing PhD in designated STEM disciplines

The NDSEG Fellowship is sponsored by the Department of Defense and supports doctoral research in science and engineering disciplines of military importance. Relevant fields include biological sciences, environmental sciences, and related areas. This is a highly competitive, portable fellowship that covers full tuition.

Website: https://ndseg.sysplus.com

DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program

Deadline: Biannual (typically May and November)
Award: Up to $3,600/month stipend while at DOE lab + travel reimbursement (up to $2,000); 3-12 month research visits
Eligibility: US citizens or permanent residents; PhD candidates; enrolled in qualified graduate program; research aligned with DOE Office of Science priorities

The SCGSR program provides supplemental funding to support thesis research conducted in collaboration with scientists at DOE National Laboratories. This is an excellent opportunity to access world-class facilities and instrumentation for part of your PhD research while remaining enrolled at UF.

Website: https://science.osti.gov/wdts/scgsr

NIH F31 National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Fellowships

Deadline: April, August, December (varies by program)
Award: $30,500+/year stipend for up to 5 years + tuition/fees allowance + institutional allowance
Eligibility: US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; PhD students in biomedical/biobehavioral research at accredited US institutions

These NIH fellowships support doctoral dissertation research in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Ecology and conservation biology projects with clear health or environmental relevance may qualify, particularly research on microbial ecology, water quality, zoonotic diseases, or ecosystem health.

Website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/nrsa.htm

Highly Competitive Merit Fellowships

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Deadline: Fall (typically September/October)
Award: Up to $250,000 total (up to 5 years of support; approximately $38,000/year stipend plus full tuition)
Eligibility: College seniors or first-year graduate students; US citizens or permanent residents; pursuing PhD in applied physical/biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering

The Hertz Fellowship is one of the nation’s most prestigious PhD awards. Unlike many fellowships, Hertz explicitly expects fellows to direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society. Conservation and ecosystem applications fit well within this framework. The Fellowship includes mentorship, internship opportunities, and a lifelong professional network.

Website: https://www.hertzfoundation.org/hertz-fellowship/

Field-Specific Fellowships

Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution

Deadline: July 31 (annually)
Award: $265,800 total over 3-5 years (including $50,000/year stipend, $25,000/year cost of education, $3,000/year research funds)
Eligibility: Students entering US PhD programs in ecology and/or evolution; prior bachelor’s degree required; any US institution

The Simons Foundation explicitly seeks graduate students entering PhD programs in ecology and evolution. The Foundation particularly values interdisciplinary research that jointly considers ecological and evolutionary timescales or links ecology/evolution to other STEM fields (physics, computer science, mathematics, genetics).

Website: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/simons-graduate-fellowships-in-ecology-and-evolution/

Diversity-Focused Fellowships

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Deadline: November 1 (annually)
Award: Up to $90,000 total ($25,000/year for up to 2 years of graduate study)
Eligibility: New Americans (immigrants or children of immigrants); age ≤31 by deadline; any graduate degree field; any US university

These fellowships support the graduate education of 30 New Americans annually across all fields, including STEM. If you are an immigrant or child of immigrant(s), this is an excellent opportunity with strong community support and networking.

Website: https://www.pdsoros.org/

L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellowship

Deadline: Mid-February (annually)
Award: $75,000 for 1 year
Eligibility: Women PhD students or postdoctoral researchers in STEM fields

Five exceptional women scientists are selected annually for these prestigious awards that recognize scientific excellence and support advancement in STEM careers.

Website: https://www.aaas.org/programs/loreal-usa-women-science

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship (University of Florida)

Deadline: January 15 (annually)
Award: Base stipend + tuition waiver + health insurance + fees for maximum 5 years (PhD)
Eligibility: US citizens from historically underrepresented groups; admitted to UF PhD program; entering first year

The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship provides comprehensive support for underrepresented minority students pursuing doctoral degrees at the University of Florida. Applications are submitted directly to the Florida Education Fund before January 15.

Website: http://www.fefonline.org/mdf.html

University of Florida-Specific Opportunities

Graduate students at the University of Florida should also explore these internal funding sources:

CALS Dean’s Award (UF)

Deadline: Varies by program
Award: Stipend + tuition for 4 years
Eligibility: Top-qualified applicants to graduate programs in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

The CALS Dean’s Office provides one graduate assistantship to the most competitive applicant in select programs. Recipients must identify a faculty advisor and lab.

Website: Contact CALS Graduate Programs Office

Grinter Fellowships (UF)

Deadline: March 15 (annually)
Award: $3,000 for dissertation support
Eligibility: UF graduate students currently holding an assistantship; renewable for up to 3 years with satisfactory progress

These fellowships support dissertation research across multiple UF graduate programs.

Website: UF Graduate School

Dr. Michael May Graduate Student Fellowship (UF Biology)

Deadline: Varies (check with Biology Department)
Award: Two scholarships of $4,000 each for dissertation research
Eligibility: All graduate students in UF Department of Biology

Funds may be used for equipment, core facility fees, travel to field sites, consumables, and other research expenses. Priority given to students without extensive funding requesting support for their main project.

Website: UF Biology Graduate Awards

Additional UF Biology Department Fellowships:

  • Brian A. Shafer Memorial Scholarship - $300 grants (6 awarded) for zoological research
  • Carrie C. Reinhardt-Adams Memorial Scholarship - Two $1,000 scholarships for plant ecology research, particularly coastal ecosystems and conservation
  • Davis Graduate Fellowship in Botany - Two fellowships up to $2,000 each for field work in botany/plant ecology

Website: UF Biology Graduate Awards

Research Support & Travel Grants

Eppley Foundation for Research

Deadline: December 1 (annually)
Award: Grants typically $5,000-$15,000 for research projects
Eligibility: Researchers in biological and physical sciences; no degree restriction

The Eppley Foundation funds innovative research in biological and physical sciences with particular interest in endangered species, ecosystems, and climate change. Graduate students can apply for research project support.

Website: https://www.eppley.org/

Welder Wildlife Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

Deadline: Varies (check annually)
Award: Varies ($5,000-$25,000+ depending on project)
Eligibility: Graduate students conducting wildlife research

The Welder Foundation supports graduate research on wildlife ecology and conservation, particularly relevant for those studying mammals, birds, and reptiles in field settings.

Website: https://www.welderwildlife.org/

Tips for Successful Fellowship Applications

  1. Start early: Most fellowship applications require 3-6 months of preparation
  2. Identify your research passion: Be clear about what ecological or conservation questions excite you
  3. Contact potential advisors: Reach out to faculty whose research aligns with your interests, including me, before applying
  4. Emphasize broader impacts: Discuss how your research will benefit society and conservation outcomes
  5. Highlight research experience: Detail any prior field work, lab experience, or independent research projects
  6. Get strong letters of recommendation: Cultivate relationships with mentors who can write compelling letters
  7. Tailor your proposals: Customize each application to the specific fellowship’s priorities and values
  8. Apply broadly: Submit multiple fellowship applications to maximize your chances of success
  9. Polish your writing: Spend time crafting clear, compelling research and personal statements
  10. Seek feedback: Have multiple people review your application materials before submission
  11. Attend UF workshops: The UF Graduate School and other offices offer fellowship application workshops

Why Pursue a PhD with the Dutton Lab?

  • Cutting-edge infrastructure: Opentrons Flex and OT-2 robots, nanopore sequencing (MinION, PromethION), digital PCR (Absolute Q), qPCR (QuantStudio 3), plate readers (Synergy LX), bead ruptor, and extensive sample processing equipment
  • International field sites: Ongoing research in Kenya (Mara River region), South Africa (Kruger National Park), and Florida ecosystems
  • Collaborative network: Strong partnerships with McCleery Lab, National Museums of Kenya, and conservation organizations worldwide
  • Interdisciplinary training: Develop skills spanning molecular ecology, metagenomics, bioinformatics, field ecology, lab automation, and conservation science
  • Computational resources: Access to HiPerGator supercomputer for data analysis and bioinformatics pipelines
  • Mentorship and professional development: Emphasis on grant writing, manuscript preparation, teaching, and career development
  • Vibrant research community: UF’s Department of Biology offers strong support, seminar series, and collaborative opportunities
  • Location: Gainesville offers excellent field sites, proximity to diverse ecosystems (Everglades, coastal systems, springs), and a supportive college town atmosphere

Graduate Program Information

Department: Biology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
University: University of Florida
Graduate Degrees: Master’s (thesis-based) and PhD in Biology with specializations in Ecology, Evolution, and related areas
Program Website: https://biology.ufl.edu
CALS Graduate Programs: https://cals.ufl.edu/graduate/

For information about the graduate application process, admission requirements, and departmental funding, please visit the University of Florida Graduate Admissions website or contact the Department of Biology Graduate Coordinator.

Additional Fellowship Resources

Last updated: January 2026