Thank you for your interest in studying with me at CBL. CBL offers a very strong graduate program in fisheries ecology and management through the MEES program. I plan to recruit two students for Autumnn 2008. Funds are available to work on population structure of menhaden, and the dynamics of oyster in Chesapeake Bay. There are also funds available competitively through CBL that offer the chance for highly qualified student to work on a wider variety of projects.

1. Population structure of Atlantic menhaden (Ph.D. studentship)

The abundance of age-0 Atlantic menhaden within the Chesapeake Bay has declined over recent decades. The reasons for the decline are unknown. Several hypotheses have been suggested including removals by a commercial purse seine fishery, and increased predatory demand by striped bass, one of its principal predators. However, data suggest that the decline is likely caused by processes acting prior to either the fishery or striped bass predation. The objective of this research is to use intensive sampling to track the sources of recruits to Chesapeake Bay and the development of year class strength using otolith microchemistry and birthdate frequency analysis.

The student working on this project will be expected to develop a dissertation project around the funded work. It is anticipated that research might include meta-population modeling, birthdate frequency reconstruction, or predator-prey dynamics. The student would be resident at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, but would matriculate through the MEES program at the University of Maryland. A competitive package of salary, tuition coverage and health benefits is available. The position tenable as early as Jan 2008, but a May 2008 start is more likely.

2. Population dynamics of Eastern oyster in Chesapeake Bay

Oyster populations have declined precipitously in the Chesapeake over the last 15 0years as a result of exploition and disease. Despite extensive investment in monitoring the resource we still lack any detailed understanding of the dynamics of this species. Given the substantial investments that are being made in trying to restore the species, such an understanding would appear long over due.

This project is a collaborative effort with Dr. Mike Wilberg at CBL and the Maryland Departmetn of Natureal Resources. The student working on this project will be expected to develop a dissertation project around the funded work. The student will have access to the extensive monitoring data that has been accumulated by the State since the early 1920s in addition to the commercial harvest. The student will likely be involved in developing statistical spatially-explicit models of oyster populations, The position tenable as early as Jan 2008, but a May 2008 start is more likely.

3. Population Dynamics of Blue Crab

My research program on blue crabs, developed since my arrival at CBL, has two main motivations. Most fundamentally, the latitudinal and local distribution of blue crab offers the ability to test fundamental life history and population dynamic questions regarding tradeoffs between growth and reproduction. From an applied viewpoint, the species supports the single most valuable fishery in the region, and yet we lack quantitative tools adequate to assess the status and trends in its population. My group’s research has involved population modeling, stock assessment, geostatistical analysis and laboratory experiments to generate a better understanding of crab growth. Work in this area would be supported through a mixture of funding sources,

My overall philosophy regarding graduate education is that I view and treat students as potential colleagues. As a student I would expect you to attend and present at national meetings, publish in the primary literature and collaborate fully throughout CBL. In return, my role is to facilitate your success and provide professional connections when we can't solve your problems between ourselves. In short, my role as an advisor is to give you the tools you need to be successful scientifically and in the job market.

As you are aware, CBL is a part of the University of Maryland System. The lab is located about 1 hr drive south of Washington, D.C. in Solomons, MD. You would live and work in the Solomons area, taking what courses you need at CBL or over an interactive video network. Solomons is a small town on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay. Historically it was an "oyster" town, but currently it is more responsive to the tourist industry. CBL has a total of 23 faculty at the lab with interests ranging from ecology to marine geochemistry. Within the fisheries area there are five faculty members. Consequently, we offer an excellent programme in both basic and applied issues. Together with faculty at other University of Maryland campuses we offer a "Fisheries Area of Specialization" within the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Studies (MEES) Program administered through College Park. Acceptance into the Fisheries AOS is a two-step process. First you must apply to the MEES program at College Park. Members of the Fisheries AOS will then review your file and determine your general acceptance into our program based upon GPA, GREs, letters of recommendation, etc. You may obtain an application packet for the MEES program by contacting the MEES office at 301-405-6938. Most of the 40+ students at CBL are supported directly off of research grants. However, there are also three competitive fellowships awarded each year. Each fellowship is tenable for up to three years and covers tuition and salary. These awards are highly sought after, and you would need good GRE and GPA scores to be competitive. You can find out more about CBL by visiting our web site at http://cbl.umces.edu.

If you remain interested in my research programme, please contact me again to discuss how you might fit into my research programme. Do not hesitate to email or phone me to discuss my research and life at CBL in general.

Cheers,

Tom Miller

Professor