Hi Student!

Thank you for your interest in my lab. I expect incoming graduate students to have a strong interest and familiarity with the work that is done in my lab (because presumably, this is the type of work you want to do!). I conduct terrestrial remote sensing research, focusing on the optical and thermal spectral regions, using both hyperspectral and multispectral sensors on various platforms (e.g., Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles, aircraft, and satellites). All my students' projects incorporate strong components of remote sensing, coding, and computation, as these subjects intersect with ecology and environmental science. 

Students will be expected to lead and disseminate original scientific work as part of their graduate program. Here’s my Google Scholar profile with examples of work completed by me and my students: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5vSzixcAAAAJ&hl=en. I would suggest sorting by date, as my more recent publications are the ones most relevant to what my group is currently working on. I would also suggest focusing on manuscripts where I am first or second author, as those are more relevant to my lab's research. Not all of these are open source, so if you would like a copy, please let me know.  For a glimpse into my most up-to-date research directions, check out the research tab on my lab website: https://loqate.lab.uiowa.edu/research

If you’re interested in working with me, I strongly encourage you to read the mentoring guide, which provides an overview of my mentoring style: Mentoring Agreement. To work in my lab, I expect all graduate students to have a strong interest in remote sensing, programming, and machine learning, with a drive to conduct original research that advances science. I also want you to consider why you want a graduate degree. How would this program and research advance your personal goals? A graduate program is a big commitment and will take a lot of your time and energy. We can do amazing things with your work, but the ultimate drive needs to come from you. I will not drag you through a graduate program.

You will also want to become familiar with Iowa City, the University of Iowa, and the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (SEES). Environment is a critical factor for success in a graduate program, so make sure that Iowa City would be a good location for you. Typically, SEES graduate students are funded through teaching assistantships, with no summer funding provided. Those positions are evaluated annually, with contract renewals of up to four years. I do strive to support my students through research assistants, but I cannot promise funding. My students will apply for external funding, as I believe this is a valuable experience for graduate students.

If you’re interested in pursuing a graduate program with me after reviewing these materials, please email me to share your background, research interests, and career goals. If I find that there are significant synergies between my research and your goals, I’m happy to set up a meeting to discuss our program and the application process. When you email me,  please include "Favorite Plant: [Your favorite plant]" towards the top of the email. I am looking for students who do their research on a topic, and it is very important to understand the program and the advisor to whom you are applying. 

Best,

Susan Meerdink