Becoming Faculty

Becoming an Applied Biodiversity Science NSF-IGERT Associated Faculty Member

Official association with the Applied Biodiversity Science (ABS) Program at A&M University brings with it both benefits and obligations. Before make a commitment to become an ABS-Associated Faculty Member we ask that you read through the following description of what this association would entail.

Some of the benefits of being officially associated with the ABS Program include:

• Entering and first year doctoral student advisees are allowed to apply for the Applied Biodiversity Science NSF-IGERT Traineeship that offers two years of full funding, research support and training opportunities.
• The possibility of participation in such ABS activities as the Amazon Field School, ABS seminar series and journal club, and ABS research conferences
• Funding to support doctoral student recruiting activities and to bring in relevant speakers
• Integration into an intellectual community at Texas A&M focused on interdisciplinary research on issues of applied conservation. One of the primary objectives of the ABS Program is to facilitate the development of interdisciplinary research groups of ABS associated faculty and students.

As an ABS-Associated Faculty Member you will also be expected to participate fully in the following program activities:

• Attend at least two ABS faculty meetings a year;
• Serve on one ABS committee (for faculty with IGERT Trainees);
• Co-coordinate as instructor of record a one-hour, for credit reading group;
• Actively participate in the ABS Seminar Series;
• Actively recruit prospective doctoral students for the program.

The Process of Becoming an ABS Associated Faculty Member

1. A faculty member currently associated with the ABS Program nominates the new faculty member.
2. The nominee submits a CV, a signed copy of the Leader of Agreement and a short cover letter describing their interest in the ABS program and how their own experience and interests could contribute to the building of our “intellectual community”.
3. The ABS Executive Committee reviews the application and makes a decision.
4. If a faculty member is accepted as an official associate, she or he will be potentially eligible to receive NSF-IGERT Traineeship funding for their advisees. However, their subsequent involvement in ABS activities (i.e. attending seminars and workshops; serving on committee; participating in recruiting activities; teaching an ABS course; etc.) will be weighed when considering whether to provide Traineeship to a student they are advisin

We look forward to welcoming you into the ABS Community!