Dear Recruiter,

I am a PhD level researcher with 20 months post-doctoral experience in molecular biology and entomology. I am presently seeking a full-time, permanent position in this field of research. My current research involves phylogenetics and population genetics of invasive greenhouse insect pests using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA sequence data.  I am also developing a nucleic acid test to distinguish between two cryptic whitefly species in the field as a proof-of-concept for future applications in pest detection.  The role of cryptic species complexes (host-associated or otherwise) can confound ecologically sound pest management provides many avenues for both theoretical research and practical applications.

I have received solid training in the fields of evolutionary biology and ecology and this has been the focus of much of my research. I have used a diversity of molecular markers tools including AFLP’s, microsatellites, and mitochondrial DNA sequences.  I have also performed choice and fitness whole animal assays in my research and have utilized all three classes of statistics: frequentist, Bayesian, and Monte Carlo, in my research. I have also received training in grant writing and been a major contributor to NSF, NIFA, and farm bill grant proposals submitted by Raul Medina (doctoral) and Cindy McKenzie (post-doctoral) during my time in their respective labs.   

As a doctoral student, I had the pleasure and privilege of teaching undergraduate laboratories in general entomology, biology of insects, veterinary entomology, and insect ecology.  I enjoyed teaching and pursued additional training opportunities including completion of the Graduate Teaching Fellow Certificate administered by the Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University and attending a Mentoring Undergraduates in Research Workshop. I also served as a mentor for several undergraduate and graduate student researchers. Mentoring relationships with undergraduates have resulted in a publication (peer-reviewed publication #8 in CV), presentation (other #19 in CV), and mentoring a graduate researcher has resulted in ongoing collaborations (V Kumar in other #1; CV).

I completed a 12-graduate-credit-hour GIS certificate in the departments of Geography and Ecosystem Science at Texas A&M University. I have used of this tool to create maps for publications and for testing genetic isolation-by-distance.  I am interested, if opportunity presents, in using GIS increasingly in research and encouraging this competency in others. My diversity of experience with field collections, molecular markers, statistical analyses, and whole animal assays has given me a useful toolkit with which I can address both basic and applied questions.

Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. I will also be presenting at the ESA meeting in Knoxville.

Sincerely,

Aaron Dickey