Name

Marcela Benitez

School

University of Michigan

Degree Program

Third year PhD student in Biological Anthropology and Biopsychology

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University, 2007

Dissertation Topic

Vocal Displays as Sexually Selected Signals in Gelada Monkeys

Research Interests

Primate cognition; behavioral endocrinology; sexual selection

Advisors

Dr. Jacinta Beehner and Dr. Thore Bergman

Advisors’ Research Focus

Work with gelada monkeys in hormones and cognition; social behavior; reproductive strategies

Hobbies

Soccer

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I decided to pursue a PhD in biological anthropology at University of Michigan after working with capuchin monkeys as an undergraduate student at Yale. I ended up selecting University of Michigan mainly because my research interests overlapped with those of the faculty.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

To prepare myself for graduate school, I conducted field research and asked a lot of questions. After receiving my bachelors degree from Yale, I worked in a lab and traveled to Argentina for field research in order to gain practical experience, and to make sure that I could handle the rigor of this type of research. I learned from these experiences that graduate study was something I wanted to do, and I think the work helped me gain acceptance to University of Michigan's doctoral program. Before applying to graduate schools, I also asked many questions of professors and students at different schools about the application process.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, I had to take the GRE exam to apply to University of Michigan. I bought Princeton Review's GRE prep book and took practice tests on the GRE website. I had not seen some of the math material in the GRE since high school, so I studied for a month.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I discussed what led to my interest in primate cognition, my practical experience in the laboratory and the field, and my personal history. I described my work with capuchin monkeys at Yale and wrote about my travels in Ghana. Specifically, I told the admissions committee in my statement about how I overcame the difficulties of conducting field research. And I also included a little information about being a student athlete and how much I love soccer.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

The 3 professors who I approached for letters of recommendation had all worked with me and knew me personally, so it was not a challenge to ask them for their written support. Two of them worked directly with me in the laboratory and another taught me for several years.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in biological anthropology and biopsychology?

Students considering graduate study should not stress too much about the application process. I am very happy with the way things turned out, but if I could do it over I would not stress as much as I did. In the end, any of the programs I was considering would have been great to attend. I also could have reduced stress by realizing that my graduate studies would not dictate the rest of my life. I was overly concerned with finding the perfect school, the perfect professors and the perfect research when I was 22. My concerns were not legitimate, as graduate school has been more flexible than I expected.

Before beginning a PhD program, students should visit the school and speak with people. They should learn about the program, the professors and the students. Visiting may also put a face to students’ applications and increase their chances of acceptance.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

The University of Michigan doctoral program in biological anthropology will probably take me 6 to 7 years to complete, though the school encourages students to finish in 5 years. In the first 2 or 3 years of the program, students complete all of their required coursework.

I am currently in my third year, which is focused on getting grant money for my dissertation. My dissertation research plan includes traveling abroad, which makes it a more expensive dissertation than most. I am writing proposals for some large grants right now. My third year will end with qualifying exams, after which I become a degree candidate. By then, I should be done with classes and exams, and I should have some money to fund my research, which will occupy my fourth and fifth years.

I am applying for my masters at the end of the year, but it is not necessary to earn a masters before a PhD in my program. I think it would be a nice way to document my accomplishments over the last 3 years. Students can also leave the program with just masters degrees, but that is generally frowned upon.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

For my dissertation research, I am studying vocalizations of gelada monkeys that live in large social groups in Ethiopia. Specifically, I’m interested in how males may use loud call vocalizations to deter potential rival males from competing with them for access to females. I am studying whether these loud calls are signals of male strength or competitive ability.

Before choosing gelada vocalizations I considered a variety of topics. I knew I was interested in primate behavior, so the first time I went to Ethiopia I learned the logistics of the field site, began to identify the monkeys, and spoke with older students working on the University of Michigan Gelada Research Project (UMGRP) When I returned to U of M, I spoke with my advisors about my research interests and we discussed research gaps in the field. The next time I went to Ethiopia, I set out to study male behavior and vocalizations. By reviewing the existing literature and chatting with students working on related topics, I came up with a set of research questions which became my dissertation.

If you are in the process of choosing your dissertation topic, I would recommend that you speak with your advisor, become familiar with the existing literature, and make sure you are passionate about the topic that you choose. Speaking with your advisor is the most important thing you can do while choosing between topics. He or she will know what is feasible and what relates best to your interests.

In addition, knowledge of existing literature is necessary, because you will discover research gaps that can be filled by your dissertation. And finally, your passion for your subject will help motivate you, and your dissertation will be stronger for that. Your dissertation will take up to 4 years to complete, and it will follow you wherever you go, so you need to pick something feasible which interests you deeply.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

I am currently in the grant proposal writing stage. Since my dissertation will be particularly expensive, this occupies most of my time. Once I am funded, I will travel to Ethiopia to study gelada monkeys directly. My fourth and fifth years in this program will be a mix of fieldwork and writing, and will conclude with the dissertation defense.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

I have 2 advisors who play very hands-on roles and are critical to my success. They are both young, approachable and understand about the stages of grad school. I have taken courses with both of them, and we meet several times a week individually or as a group to discuss my goals. Anything I write is critiqued and revised by them, sometimes more than once.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The first 2 years of this doctoral program are similar to undergraduate study. You are mostly taking classes. However, graduate-level classes give students more autonomy. Many times students run the classes, and they bring materials to class that interest them. Graduate school teaches students how to think critically and develop their own questions. They learn to think like scientists, whereas undergraduate school is more about learning the basics.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

Every doctoral student here must be funded either by the school itself or by outside grants and fellowships, so they do not pay for their education directly. I will have additional research expenses soon, which I am hoping to receive grant money for.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my PhD with a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which provides $30,000 a year for 3 years. It is enough for me to live on comfortably without getting an outside job. Books and living expenses can be expensive, but most of this is covered by the fellowship stipend.

I also had a teaching fellowship from the university last year, which offset my costs. Students are expected to do some teaching during their second or third years. My fellowship required about 20 to 25 hours of work each week.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in biological anthropology and biopsychology?

In my PhD program for biological anthropology and biopsychology, I am basically always working. A PhD workload varies by semester and department, and as a third year joint PhD student, I have it rough. I tried to keep my work limited to a 9-to-5 schedule when I first started, but now I probably work 9 to 7 plus the occasional late night. I am almost always in class, at a meeting or writing grant proposals. Soon I will be doing field work in Ethiopia, which will give me a welcome level of flexibility.

However, I am not completely without free time. I watch the occasional movie or grab an occasional afternoon drink, and I am even going apple picking this weekend. Unfortunately, the amount of work I have to do can make relaxation difficult. PhD students can take time off if they need to, but usually they have to be working even during their vacations.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

My PhD program can be disruptive to my personal life, especially with the travel responsibilities involved. My travels to Africa can take 8 months or longer and definitely take a toll on my parents and significant other. Some students who travel extensively to remote areas have difficulty getting back into the pattern of daily life when they return home.

I wish I had considered how the length and commitment level of doctoral study would affect my personal goals. At the age of 22, before I began, it seemed reasonable to focus all of my energy on my work and career. I did not fully realize how much 6 to 7 years of study would affect my personal life. I am 26 now and would like to start a family at some point, but I will be traveling to Ethiopia soon and writing my dissertation full time. I am not sure I would reconsider the educational choices I made, but the commitment was way more than I had anticipated.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I will ideally hold a faculty position at a university. More realistically, I will be doing post-doctoral research with monkeys somewhere. My goal is to get a tenure-track position, but this will probably require 1 or 2 post-doctoral studies. I expect the academic job market to be very crowded.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in biological anthropology or biopsychology?

I would advise a student who is thinking about pursuing a PhD in biological anthropology or biopsychology to inform themselves about prospective schools as much as possible. Hop on a plane and fly to the school if you can to meet faculty and students. Contact faculty who have similar research interests and set up conferences. Having a professor with complementary interests in your program is extremely important.

Going straight from an undergraduate program to a graduate program may work for you, but it did not work for me. I needed to make sure that I could do laboratory work and field work with primates. If you are unsure of your specific interests, take a year or longer to work in the field. If nothing else, it will make you a stronger graduate school applicant.