Postdocs

Potential postdocs are encouraged to contact me directly to discuss opportunities in the lab.  I especially encourage inquires from postdocs who are interested in applying for independent funding and/or working on a grant proposal with me.
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Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate student research projects would focus on the physiology of marine mammals and other hypoxia-tolerant animals, with a strong emphasis on endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) production, the brain lymphatic system, and the impact of climate change on Antarctic top predators. Prospective students must have a strong background and interest in physiology, biochemistry, or cell biology.

I strongly recommend you do the following before you apply to the lab.
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Recommendations before you apply to the lab:
  1. Browse the UNCW Biology and Marine Biology Graduate Program's website to figure out if the program requirements, coursework, and degrees offered are good fits for your future goals. UNCW Biology and Marine Biology Department offers the following graduate degrees; MS in Biology, MS in Marine Biology, and a PhD in Integrative, Comparative, and Marine Biology.
  2. Read a few of the recent publications that have come out of the Tift Lab to determine if physiological research is something you are interested in pursuing for a graduate degree.
    1. The current focus of the research in our lab is on the following:
      1. Endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in hypoxia and ischemia tolerant species
      2. The role of the brain lymphatic system in breath-hold divers
      3. Impacts of climate change on the physiological ecology of Antarctic marine top predators (link).
  3. Attach the material listed below in a single e-mail to Dr. Tift (tiftm@uncw.edu).
  • One-page summary of a hypothesis-driven research project you would be interested in pursuing in the UNCW Comparative Physiology Lab. Include relevant background information, hypotheses, and methodology you would pursue in the project. We are looking to see that you have investigated the areas of research we focus on, and are capable of formulating research questions and a plan for conducting the research in a timely manner.
  • Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) that lists your research experiences, educational history, courses, GPA, and at least two references that we may contact. 

Once you have submitted the material above, and have spoken with Dr. Tift about your intent to apply to the UNCW Comparative Physiology Lab, you should officially apply by visiting the following link to the UNCW Graduate Program. 

UNCW Graduate School Application Deadlines
  • Fall Semester - May 15th by midnight EST (For priority consideration, you're encouraged to apply by February 15th)
  • Spring Semester - November 15 midnight EST (For priority consideration, you're encouraged to apply by October 15)
Prospective Undergraduate Students
Our lab can offer valuable research experience for undergraduates as volunteers on current projects we're working on. Students can even gain credit hours to conduct research in the lab (e.g., Directed Independent Study [BIO 491], Honor's thesis [BIO 499]). However, space in our lab is extremely limited and we cannot accommodate all of the requests we receive. It is typical to volunteer in the lab for a period of time before being taking on a project for BIO 491 or BIO 499. In order to increase your chances of securing a spot in the lab, it is required that you first do the following:
  1. Read some of our more recent publications so you have an idea of what we're currently working on in the lab and if the topics are of interest to you.
  2. Investigate this list of opportunities to understand the different opportunities to become involved in research at UNCW (e.g., DIS, internships, honors project, volunteer positions).
  3. Take at least one of following courses and respective labs to become familiar with physiological and biochemical concepts and methods. 

Once you have met the criteria listed above, send a single e-mail to Dr. Tift with the following documents attached. 
  1. Completed Prospective Student Excel File
  2. One paragraph summary of your research interests, prior laboratory experiences, and explanation of why you would be a good fit in the laboratory
  3. Unofficial transcript
  4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae​
Photo used under Creative Commons from Archives New Zealand