Graduate Students:

Available opportunity: I am currently recruiting PhD and MS students interested in joining the lab starting Fall 2026. Potential PhD students should contact me to discuss their research interests. Potential MS projects include studying phenological shifts in desert species, phylogenomics of Caribbean reptiles, landscape epigenetics,  or how cyclical periods of connectivity and isolation drive diversification.

Potential graduate research projects might tackle a range of topics as long as there is overlapping interest with the lab. This generally means a research interest within the areas of evolutionary ecology, molecular ecology, or conservation genomics, broadly defined. Although I work primarily with amphibians and reptiles, I am also happy to mentor students who wish to work on other animal systems as long as you are familiar with their natural history and sampling methods.

How closely a PhD student's projects align with my own is dependent on several factors including your own interests and if your time is being funded from my grants. Nevertheless, I expect that all PhD students will develop and pursue their own research projects as part of their doctoral thesis. I believe this a crucial part of graduate school. Although we will collaborate extensively, I view my job as providing support, guidance, and a safety net toward developing your research independence rather than providing all projects outright. I am here to help you become an independent scientist and you should view graduate school as attaining that goal.

Due to the constraints of the MS program, MS students are recruited to work directly on existing projects in the lab. However, where possible I also encourage MS students to develop their own research ideas based around these projects and I will work with you to try and make them happen.

Funding (stipend + tuition) for graduate school at TCU is primarily provided through teaching assistantships. There are also times in which I may have the ability to provide partial support through research assistantships from my grants. I also encourage you to seek independent funding through external grants (e.g. NSF GRFP, EPA Fellowships). I am happy to work with students applying to external funding on their applications. If you are interested in applying, I suggest that you explore the TCU graduate school website to familiarize yourself with the program. Then, contact me to discuss your interests and potential fit. Include your CV and a description of your goals and research interests. We admit students into a specific lab, therefore, I suggest reaching out well ahead of the application deadline.

Postdocs:

Whether or not I have open funded positions, I am always interested in working with potential post-docs with independent funding. Potential sources of external funding include NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biology, Smith Fellowships, etc. If you have an interest in teaching and research during your postdoc, you may also be eligible for funding through TCU's internal postdoctoral fellowship. If you are interested in these independent post-doc opportunities, please reach out (including your CV and a reprint) and I would be happy to discuss project ideas.

Undergraduates:

Research in the lab is focused on the evolutionary ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. Depending on your interests there are opportunities to learn morphological, genetic, bioinformatic, or ecological techniques.  If you are an undergraduate and that sounds interesting to you, we often have opportunities in the lab for research credit or to support an honor's thesis. We also occasionally have funds for paid work over the summer.

Research will require commitment often beyond that of typical undergraduate coursework. I will expect that you follow through with your obligations in lab. Remember research is hard work, but we will strive to make it a rewarding experience. To apply, e-mail Dr. Yuan with an explanation of your interests and a current CV/resume including relevant coursework.