Graduate Students

Dr. Conrad will consider recruiting one or two graduate students for the start of the fall 2010 academic year. Potential graduate students must apply through the formal channels in the Behavioral Neuroscience area of the Department of Psychology.  See http://psychology.clas.asu.edu/graduate/admissions for directions on how to apply.

Requirements

Potential graduate students must meet the minimum qualifications for admittance in the Department of Psychology Graduate Program. Dr. Conrad does not seek any particular skill because these can be learned, but qualities of successful students include: being curious, highly motivated, dependable, can meet challenges, works well with others, as well as being able to work independently. Highly desirable are those who have had experience working in an animal research facility in the past, but successful students have joined Dr. Conrad's laboratory without this experience. If these qualities apply to you and you are still interested in applying, be sure to indicate your preference to work with Dr. Conrad in your statement of interest. In addition, please contact Dr. Conrad or any of the graduate students (current and past) if you have any questions. Dr. Conrad's contact information is at the bottom of this page and graduate student contact information is available from the "People" page.

Undergraduate Research Volunteer

No new undergraduate volunteers are needed at this time (fall 2008). However, we will consider undergraduate voluneers near the end of the spring semester (around March 2009) for the start of the summer and into the fall season. We often need new undergraduates who have interests in studying stress and how it impacts the brain and behavior. We are currently investigating how chronic stress changes the brain and how these changes may alter behavior, such as memory. The majority of the work will involve using a microscope to visualize neurons, and then tracing these neurons so that they can be quantified. Other duties that will be required will involve handling the animals and assistance/participation in experimental procedures including behavioral testing and surgeries.

Requirements:

• Highly responsible
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic
• Can work independently as well as within a group
• Willing to work on the microscope for long hours and at odd times of the day
• Willing and able to work with rats, and to assist with surgery
• Have a year (at minimum) before graduating (training takes time)
• Minimum hours are at least 10 hours a week, with more hours desirable.

Note: Undergraduates work on a volunteer basis, but some have earned funding through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences SOLUR program.

Contact Information

Dr. Cheryl Conrad (conradc@asu.edu) Note: email is best. Phone (480) 965-7761