Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a Ph.D. student at the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Oklahoma and currently working towards my graduation in December, 2013. My current research focuses on “Circumventing ovicidal deficiencies of fumigants during post-harvest fumigations.” I graduated with a M.S degree in Entomology and Plant Pathology in 2010. My M.S. research focused on investigating the biology and ecology of stored-product psocids, which have emerged to become serious stored-product pests in the last two decades.

My personnel tool kit includes my experience of working in laboratory, fumigation facilities, and electron microscopy. I have developed profound skills on using programs such as SAS, POLO, TableCurve2D, Sigma Plot, GC-MS, and Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope. During my M.S. and Ph.D. studies I have specialized in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing, and writing manuscripts. Besides my experience as a research assistant, I am looking forward to my contribution as a teaching assistant in the following semesters at the Oklahoma State University. I have also been engaged in several leadership activities in and out of college environment. You can find details in my CV.

I am interested in both basic and applied pest management research, specifically post-harvest management of pests. My other interests are insect behavior and chemical ecology, integrated pest management, biological control, insect ecology and biology, and toxicology. After graduation, I intend to work with a team of intellectuals to further develop my skills as an research entomologist.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sandipa Gautam

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK

Email: sandipa.gautam@okstate.edu