Location: Life Sciences Building, Room 337,
501 S. Nedderman Dr., Arlington, TX 76019
Mailing address: P.O. Box 19498
Phone: 817-272-2872
Ph.D. Rotation Program
Biology Ph.D Rotation Program
Rotations
Students may enter the Ph.D. program and explore multiple research environments before selecting a dissertation advisor. Rotation students have the opportunity to spend 8 weeks each in 3 independent labs. At the end of these rotations, each student and hosting faculty member provide feedback on the experience, and students are matched by the rotation committee with a faculty lab based on mutual interest. This pathway enables students to gain firsthand experience with different research programs, mentoring styles, and scientific approaches before making a long-term commitment.
Why should you rotate?
- Evaluate scientific fit. You may discover topics or methods you had not previously considered but that better match your interests and strengths.
- Find your perfect mentor: By rotating in multiple labs, you will make a more informed decision about the style of mentorship you want for the next five years.
- Build relationships. Graduate with a network of faculty mentors and lab mates across multiple groups.
- Broaden your toolkit. Learn techniques and approaches from every lab you rotate through, making you a more versatile scientist.
- Discover interdisciplinary opportunities. A rotation can reveal a question or method that wasn’t on your radar, opening new perspectives on your research interests.
- Build a strong mentoring partnership. Rotations provide opportunities for students and faculty to get to know each other in a meaningful way before beginning dissertation research.
In conclusion, rotations allow you to compare options directly and select a laboratory where you are most likely to succeed scientifically and personally.
Multiple Disciplines
Our department is comprehensive and has four primary research areas: Genomics, Evolution and Ecology, Microbiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology. Depending on the number of faculty accepting rotation students, you can request to rotate with faculty within a single subfield to develop depth in one area or with faculty across subfields to build training at their intersection. Please visit our website to see the faculty accepting rotation students before each application cycle.
How It Works
Once you are accepted into the Ph.D. program as a rotation student, reach out to faculty to express interest and to inquire about available opportunities in their lab. Students should meet with faculty members and learn more about their research before finalizing their rotation schedule. Your first rotation will begin at the start of the Fall semester, and the rotation period typically concludes by the end of January. Each rotation consists of a focused research project designed to be completed within an 8-week period and is representative of the type of work conducted in that laboratory. Throughout the rotation process, you will meet with faculty mentors, learn about different research programs, and gain exposure to a variety of scientific approaches. At the conclusion of your rotations, you will discuss potential dissertation opportunities with participating faculty members and submit a ranked list of your rotation laboratories to the rotation committee. Faculty members will also provide comments to the rotation committee regarding the rotating students’ experience. The rotation committee will then work with students and faculty mentors to facilitate placement in a dissertation laboratory, considering student preferences, faculty recommendations, and laboratory availability. Students will join their dissertation laboratory and begin dissertation research in early February.
International students: please refer to the Duration of Status webpage to evaluate how recent changes might affect your Ph.D. journey at UTA.