6:24 p.m.
Dear colleagues,
I am seeking graduate students for my lab at SUNY ESF. I've attached an
outreach letter and copied it below. Please share widely. Thanks!
Best regards
Geoffrey M. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor
Integrative Forest Pathology and Genecology Lab
Department of Environmental Biology
SUNY ESF
Illick Hall Rm. 126
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210
Cell/WhatsApp: +1 (208) 874-7604
Multiple Grad Opportunities (MS/Ph.D.) in Forest Pathology, Genetics, and
Fungal Ecology at SUNY ESF
The brand-new Integrative Forest Pathology and Genecology Lab at SUNY ESF
seeks 2-3 highly-motivated and passionate MS and Ph.D. students to start in
September (or May) 2026. Students will conduct basic and applied research on
forest health issues regionally and worldwide. The lab's research program
will focus on multiple dimensions of forest health and plant pathology in
managed, natural, and urban contexts, in the following research areas:
* Fungal diversity and ecology in the context of plant and forest
ecosystem health, disturbance, and conservation using classical and
molecular tools and approaches
* Resistance to native and introduced plant pathogens in managed
forests, urban forests, and conservation contexts using classical
quantitative genetics and molecular tools
* Plant health dimensions of assisted migration and adaptive
silviculture
* Innovative monitoring approaches for forest pests and invasive
species - including the development of nanopore sequencing, bioinformatics
tools, low-cost spore-and-insect trapping, to be integrated with basic
aerobiology and fungal functional ecology research
* Epidemiology of forest pathogens and declines integrating field
data; vector dynamics; and/or Bayesian modeling approaches that leverage
forest health monitoring (FHM) and forest inventory and analysis (FIA) data
* Applying, integrating, and developing approaches from the fields of
disease ecology, invasion biology, biogeography, and big data to understand
worldwide and regional spread of plant-pathogenic and/or invasive fungi,
viruses, nematodes, bacteria, and parasitic plants in non-agricultural and
tree-dominated plant communities
The Integrative Forest Pathology and Genecology Lab conducts research on
forest health issues relevant to New York State, the Northeast, and
globally. Graduate students in the lab can expect to apply and develop the
above research areas across the following study systems:
* Oak health - including oak wilt caused by Bretziella fagacearum; oak
decline in Northern red oak (Quercus rubra); and emergent pathogenic
Diplodia and Tubakia spp.
* Beech health - novel monitoring approaches for Litylenchus crenatae
and interactions between host response and resistance to beech scale
(Cryptococcus fagisuga), Neonectria species, and L. crenatae. Potential
opportunities with Nothofagus in Chile/Argentina/NZ.
* Conifer systems - including above and belowground diseases of
hemlock, Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), red pine (P. resinosa), native
and non-native spruce (Picea), and cedars (e.g., Thuja occidentalis and
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Port-Orford Cedar).
* Ambrosia beetles and their microbiomes and fungal plant-pathogenic
associates
Qualifications
* BS in biology, forestry and/or natural-resource related major (with
priority given to applicants with a prior background in forests, plants,
fungi, and/or microbiology)
* MS preferred for students seeking Ph.D.
Preferred Background and Expertise (prefer at least one and willingness to
learn others)
* Prior coursework in plant pathology, mycology/fungi, microbiology,
nematology, botany/plant biology, plant physiology, statistics, ecology,
forestry, tree biology, natural resource management, conservation,
traditional ecological knowledge, or related fields
* Experience working with fungi and/or other microorganisms in sterile
culture
* Experience with molecular biology/PCR, field work, and/or
greenhouse/plant care
* Any modeling, coding, computer science, and/or bioinformatics skills
* Experience or desire to work with stakeholders and practitioners
* Plant and/or fungal identification in the field
Responsibilities
* Teaching assistantship (TA/GA) and/or research assistantship (RA) ~
20 hours per week
* Complete required coursework
* Set and work toward your professional development goals under
guidance of a mentor
* Design, carry out and repeat experiments (with a high level of
planning and organization)
* Publish and present results to the scientific community and the
public
* Seek outside funding for your research
* Maintain positive working relationships and communication with
colleagues
Compensation
* Full tuition waiver and living wage (stipend) supported by TA/GA/RA
* Benefits package including health insurance
* A high-quality educational, social, and professional experience in a
vibrant community
Lab Culture and Values
The lab values work-life balance and is committed to supporting students
from all backgrounds and abilities in their pursuit of graduate level
education and future careers in forest health. This includes a) maintaining
an open and welcoming space devoid of harassment and b) taking on
accountability for equal and equitable representation of all forms of
diversity in communities of practice and leadership in forestry and forest
health disciplines as a graduate-level educator.
About SUNY ESF and the Graduate School (amended from the website)
ESF is the only U.S. institution of higher learning dedicated solely to the
study of the environment, located in Syracuse, central New York state and
one of two programs in the country with an undergraduate program in forest
health. SUNY ESF has a long history of forest pathology research and counts
some of the great names in the modern era of forest pathology among its
prior faculty, including Paul Manion and James Worrall. ESF is also one of
the oldest forestry schools in the country, having originated as the
land-grant New York State College of Forestry at Cornell before splitting
off and moving to Syracuse in 1911 (only twelve years after the Biltmore
School). From the basic and applied sciences to engineering, design, and
planning of both natural and human communities, ESF helps prepare leaders
and collaborators.
The Graduate School <https://www.esf.edu/graduate/programs/index.php> at
ESF advances environmental leadership by enabling graduate and professional
students to create knowledge and develop skills to improve our world. The
Graduate School at ESF is committed to sustained learning, action and
accountability to continually improve our environment for equity, diversity,
justice and access. Graduate academic programs at ESF share a foundation of
rigorous science and dedication to wise use of natural resources. ESF offers
graduate programs at several levels, from Certificates of Advanced Studies,
to various types of Master's programs and a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Each program provides a unique opportunity for you to further your education
with professors who are dedicated to both their teaching and research
endeavors.
Ecosystems all over the world benefit from the professionalism and expertise
of ESF graduates and the faculty members at the College of Environmental
Science and Forestry. You will study with professors whose work improves and
sustains the environment from the Yucatan Peninsula to Alaska and whose
expertise is sought by government and corporations. That same faculty will
be personally concerned with your progress. The professors' cutting-edge
research will become part of your classes, and your classes will merge with
the world beyond the College.
The Graduate School awards degrees of Master of Science (M.S., both thesis
and non-thesis tracks) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental
Biology with Research Areas in Mycology and Forest Pathology
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/mycopath.php> , Molecular Biology
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/molecular.php> & Ecology, Indigenous
Peoples and the Environment
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/indigenous-environment.php> , and
Ecology and Evolution <https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/ecology.php> ;
as well as in Forest Resources Management and Natural Resources Management
with Research Areas in Ecology and Ecosystems
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/ecology-ecosystems.php> , Economics,
Governance and Human Dimensions
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/eghd.php> , Forest Management
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/fms.php> & Silviculture, and
Monitoring, Analysis, and Modeling
<https://www.esf.edu/academics/graduate/mam.php> .
How to apply
1. Send a) CV; b) one paragraph of research interests (include top
choices of research areas and study systems); and c) one paragraph
highlighting qualifications and background to Dr. Geoff Williams at
geoffreywilliamsfs640(a)gmail.com <mailto:geoffreywilliamsfs640@gmail.com>
ASAP (pref. by 5 Jan. 2026).
2. Request information about graduate programs by contacting
esfgrad(a)esf.edu <mailto:esfgrad@esf.edu> ASAP for additional information on
the application process and the graduate school.
3. Apply to the graduate school at
https://www.esf.edu/graduate/prospective/index.php by clicking the green
"Apply Today" button, and then "Create an account" at the bottom of
the
page. Submit applications by January 15 for consideration for TA/GA
positions. Additional opportunities may become available for RA positions by
April 30.