Name

Sara Lahman

School

Bowling Green State University

Degree Program

First year PhD student in Biology with a focus in Sensory Ecology

Previous Degrees

Master of Science in Biology from University of San Francisco, 2005; Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green State University

Dissertation Topic

The effects of pollutants that occur in the watershed at Bowling Green

Research Interests

Ectotoxicology and the effects of pollutants on crayfish

Hobbies

SCUBA, crafting, reading, traveling, wine tasting, blogging

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

Before I chose Bowling Green State University’s PhD program in biology, I researched a few universities to find the best fit for my interests. I looked for strong programs but location was another important factor because my family is located in Ohio and I ideally wanted to attend school here. In the end, I chose Bowling Green State University largely because of its location and the potential to do interesting research there. I also knew that the program and university were high quality because I earned my bachelors degree here.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

Having frequent interaction with my undergraduate advisor helped prepare me for my PhD program in biology. Through our contact I was able to get firsthand information from him about his own research, which is what inspired me to take this research path.

In addition to my undergraduate advisor's mentorship, my practical experience in the field also helped prepare me for my PhD program by inspiring me to actually pursue a PhD. After I completed my masters program, I worked for the EPA and other water quality municipalities to research water pollutants and their effects on the environment. I also worked for non-profit agencies to help establish water quality standards. This led to my interest in the effect of pollutants on specific organisms, which prompted me to return to school and pursue my PhD. My work in the field helped prepare me for graduate school by exposing me to new areas of research and inspiring me to pursue more knowledge in those areas.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

My PhD program at Bowling Green State University required me to submit scores from the general GRE, but I did not have to take the subjects GRE like when I applied for my masters program.

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

Instead of a personal statement, I submitted a research statement with my application to Bowling Green. I included an outline of my goals and I described my interests and what type of research I would conduct. I was very involved in composing my research statement in order to enhance my application.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in biology?

If you are considering applying to graduate school for biology, my best advice is to choose a program based on your research interests. Do not choose a program only because a school is prestigious or has a recognizable name. And don’t choose a program simply because the school is in an ideal location. Look into the faculty who work in the program and find a professor whose research inspires you. Choose a program where you can conduct the type of research you want to conduct because your interest level will be a much more important factor than prestige or location once you actually begin the program.

Graduate School – The Program

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

My PhD program in biology takes 4 years to complete. For the first 2 years I am only required to take 1 formal course per semester, and the rest of my time is spent in seminars, discussion groups, and research. After I complete the first 2 years, I will not be required to take any formal courses and I can focus solely on my research and dissertation for the next 2 years.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

For my dissertation, I will research the way that different pollutants affect the watershed here in Bowling Green. More specifically, I will be looking at crayfish populations and their ability to forage for food. Crayfish can be a bioindicator of aquatic diversity and ecosystem health. If there is a problem in the crayfish population it is an indicator that there is a bigger problem in the overall ecosystem. As part of my research I will examine different types of pollutants to determine the concentration levels that have a detrimental effect on crayfish.

How is the dissertation process different from working on a masters thesis?

The biggest difference between my dissertation and my masters thesis is the complexity of the project. My dissertation consists of 3 separate areas of research that relate to my topic. Essentially I am constructing 3 distinct research projects. My masters thesis only involved 1 area of research.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor is an integral part of my educational success at Bowling Green State University. I meet with him weekly to report my progress and ask any questions. He helps me find resources when I have problems in my research and prompts me to consider issues from a new perspective. He suggests courses that he thinks will suit me and also gives me helpful feedback.

I chose my advisor because he is a leading scientist in the field of chemosensory behavior and he was conducting the sort of research that I wanted to conduct.

My advice for other graduate students is to get the most out of their advisor's presence by utilizing their advisor as a sounding board for ideas. Students should never be afraid to talk to their advisor about problems or lack of progress. Students should remember that advisors want their graduate students to succeed.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my PhD program in biology requires exams to advance to candidacy. The exams occur at the end of the second year and cover the different parts of general biology. They are particularly important because a student must pass in order to move from being a doctoral student to a doctoral candidate. The test consists of 4 days of written exams and 1 oral exam.

How does a doctoral program differ from graduate study at the masters level?

Doctoral study differs from graduate study at the masters level in the program length, requirements and the level of research involved. My masters program took 2 years to complete but my doctoral program will take 4 years. In addition to the length, as a doctoral student I have requirements that I did not have as a masters student. For example, in my PhD program I must pass preliminary exams halfway through the program, and I must also submit my work for publication. Besides the length and requirements, a doctoral degree simply requires much more extensive research than a masters degree.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How are you funding your education?

I am very fortunate that I found an assistantship through the university that covers the full cost of my tuition and other instructional fees for my PhD program in biology. I also have a teaching position that provides me with a biweekly stipend to help cover living costs. There are additional scholarships and grants available, and I am considering applying for some of that funding in the future.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in biology?

Currently, my coursework is not especially heavy but the time commitment will increase in the future. I am enrolled in 1 formal course this semester. Right now most of my coursework is discussion based. There is not a lot of homework this semester, outside of just reading. I spend about 6 hours each week in the lab teaching, and another 16 hours on grading and preparation. I will not start my own field work until next summer, but then the workload will increase.

How has graduate school affected your family life?

Balancing my PhD program with my family life has been challenging but I am trying to work out a normal schedule and adjust to the demands.

I am married with a child and I have been out of the academic world for about 6 years. In order to balance my responsibilities, I try and complete all my work for my own course, my research and for my teaching job before I leave campus for the day. That way, I am not distracted from my family when I am at home. After my family goes to bed at night or before they wake up in the morning I may catch up on some reading, but other than that I try to keep the 2 areas of my life separate.

To balance my responsibilities, I have learned that the most important time-management strategy is dedication. Even if a project might not be going the way I had planned, it is important for me to see things through to completion. There can be a lot of ups and downs in projects, particularly in science disciplines. To manage time wisely, I think students need to stick with the projects that they have started.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the future I see myself teaching, hopefully in my own lab here at Bowling Green. I think 1 of the strongest things a scientific researcher can do is share his or her knowledge with other students and teach others how to carry out their own research. There are so many great ideas out there that can be fostered through teaching. I would also like to continue with my research into pollutant impacts on the ecosystem.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in biology?

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD in Biology, I have 3 pieces of advice for you.

First, as an undergraduate you should try to explore as many areas of biology as possible because it is such a vast and diverse discipline. It is important to have a basic understanding of a lot of broad concepts to determine your own strengths and interests. Having an area of interest and asking your own scientific questions are important for advancing your career and your education.

Second, I would also advise you to make sure you have a strong educational foundation before graduate school. Take courses on genetics, evolution, statistics and technical writing. These courses will lay the groundwork for a biology graduate program with any focus.

Third, do not put off graduate school. My only regret is not considering this PhD program sooner. When I earned my masters degree, I had no intention of continuing my education beyond that and I was really fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct the research I did at my professional job because it really increased my appetite for knowledge. I just wish I had discovered that passion sooner.