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The Journal of Arachnology

American Arachnology

Education and Service

Graduate Studies in Arachnology

AAS Bulletin Board

Information on Arachnids

 Last modified November 3, 2010

List of Graduate Studies Sponsors -- Links to Further Details

FRIEDRICH G. BARTH, O. Univ.-Prof. Dr
Biozentrum, Institut für Zoologie, Universität Wien

Degrees offered: MSc (Diplom) and PhD (Dr.rer.nat.)

Address: Biozentrum
Institut für Zoologie
Universität Wien
Althanstraße14
A-1090 Wien
Austria

Voice: 0043/1/31336/1205; FAX: 0043/31336/778;

e-mail: Friedrich.G.Barth@univie.ac.at

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: Sensory systems (mechano/photo/chemo/thermo & hygro). Neuroethology. Biomechanics. Vibratory communication. Spider webs. Communication in stingless bees. Additional information on request.

updated 1 - 14 -2000

TODD BLACKLEDGE, Assistant Professor
University of Akron

Degrees offered: Master of Science and Ph.D.

Address: Department of Biology
University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-3908
USA

Voice: (330) 972-7264; FAX: (330) 972-8445
e-mail: blackledge@uakron.edu

Website: http://www3.uakron.edu/biology/

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: My research focuses upon the interface of animal behavior with ecological and evolutionary processes. Web weaving spiders provide a unique opportunity to integrate behavioral research across levels of biological organization for several reasons. Unlike the relatively ephemeral foraging and defensive behaviors of most animals, spider webs are quantifiable records of spiders’ behavioral decisions that endure for the life of webs. Also, the architectures of spider webs can be easily manipulated, allowing direct investigation of the ecological consequences of the behavioral decisions made by spiders during web construction. Furthermore, the function of webs depends upon the physical properties of the silks used to construct them, which are themselves dependent upon protein structure. Therefore, behavioral and genotypic evolution can be tightly linked in this system. My laboratory is set up to support a variety of research.

I have three main lines of current research:

• behavioral ecology of orb web function
• evolution of web architectures
• biomechanical function of silk.

The Department of Biology at University of Akron emphasizes integrative research and has strong programs in both evolutionary ecology and physiological ecology. The department has grown rapidly over the last ten years to include many energetic new faculty, a new field station, and a strong research emphasis. The department offers a Master of Science as well as a PhD through a joint program with Kent State University.

added 1 - 15 - 2005

JAMES CARREL, Professor
Division of Biological Sciences, Missouri University

Degrees offered: M.A./Ph.D.

Address: Division of Biological Sciences
Missouri University
105 Tucker Hall
Columbia, MO 65211 USA

Voice: (314) 882-0123;

e-mail: carrel@biosci.mbp.missouri.edu

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: Physiology, behavior, and ecology of spiders. Pheromones in spiders. Conservation biology of rare spiders endemic to scrub habitats in Florida. Teaching assistantships and special scholarships for gifted or underrepresented students are available to qualified candidates.

BRENT D. OPELL, Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

Degrees offered: M.S./Ph.D.

Address: Department of Biological Sciences
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA

e-mail: bopell@vt.edu

Professional Website: http://www.biol.vt.edu/faculty/opell/index.html

Departmental Website: http://www.biol.vt.edu/

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: Current focus on the adhesive mechanism of viscous threads spun by orb-weaving spiders.  Details on graduate application procedures and deadlines are provided on the departmental website. 

Updated 11 – 3 - 2010

Degrees offered: M.Sc., Ph.D.

Address: Department of Entomology
4112 Plant Sciences Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20142 USA

Voice: (301) 405-7519; FAX: (301) 314-9290;

e-mail: js314@umail.umd.edu

Lab's Website: www.inform.umd.edu/vtab

Departmental Website: www.entomology.umd.edu

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: Comparative, evolutionary and functional morphology of arachnids; arthropod locomotion; higher-level phylogeny of arachnids and other arthropods using morphological and molecular approaches.

Financial aid: Teaching Assistantships, Possible Research Assistantship or some combination of the two.

Additional Affiliation: I am also affiliated with the Maryland Center for Systematic Entomology which is a consortium of arthropod biologists from the University of Maryland at College Park, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Systematic Lab and the National Museum in Washington D.C. The consortium fosters research on the systematics of arthropods and supports graduate training.

last updated 2 - 17 - 2000

JOSEPH SPAGNA Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
William Paterson University

Degrees offered: MS.in Biology

Address: Department of Biology
William Paterson University
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
USA

Office Phone: 973-720-2793; Departmental Office : 973-720-2455

Professional homepage: http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/spagnaj/

University homepage: http://www.wpunj.edu

e-mail: SpagnaJ@wpunj.edu

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: William Paterson University, located in the New Jersey suburbs of Manhattan, offers a Master's degree in biology.

Projects in my laboratory include phylogenetics, systematics, & evolution of spiders and ants, particularly evolution of systems for locomotion. See website for detailed information.

additional: Limited financial aid (scholarships, fellowships, assistantships) is available from the Department, and graduate students may also be supported based on extramural funding for my lab (contact lab PI to determine availability of grant funds).

added November 17, 2008

Address: Department of Zoology
Universitetsparken B135
DK 8000 Aarhus C Denmark

Voice: +45-89 42 27 65 (Sec: +45- 89 42 27 27); FAX: +45-86 12 51 75;

e-mail: vollrath@aau.dk

Research Interests and Information on Graduate Program: Orb spider ecology, behaviour, web engineering, silk biomechanics. Information upon request.