Information for Prospective Graduate Students
I am currently recruiting motivated and curious students who are interested in pursuing graduate research in my laboratory at Temple University, www.kumarlab.net.
I typically receive inquiries from two types of prospective students:
- Category 1: Students with a strong research background and experience in molecular evolution, genomics, and bioinformatics.
- Category 2: Students from related disciplines, such as computer science, biology, or data science, but who have limited experience in evolutionary or genomic research but wish to develop expertise in these areas.
I am interested in mentoring and training both categories of students, although the availability of assistantships—which provide tuition coverage and a stipend—differs between these groups.
Before contacting me about potential opportunities, please review the information below carefully.
Category 1 Students
Students who have substantial coursework or research experience in genomics, molecular evolution, and bioinformatics are encouraged to apply directly to Temple University’s Ph.D. programs in Biology or Bioinformatics.
Selected candidates are typically supported through research and teaching assistantships, which include tuition coverage and an annual stipend.
Applicants whose research interests align with my current or past work have a much greater chance of being admitted and funded. I encourage you to review our publications and ongoing projects at www.kumarlab.net.
If you identify as a Category 1 student, please email me your detailed CV and a research statement outlining your goals, experiences, and interests.
Category 2 Students
Students with limited or no coursework in genomics, molecular evolution, or bioinformatics are encouraged to first enroll in a Master’s program at Temple University.
A Master’s degree allows you to complete relevant coursework, gain research experience, and develop essential computational skills. Many Master’s students join my laboratory to complete their research requirements, strengthening their preparation for subsequent Ph.D. studies.
Temple offers several suitable Master’s programs:
- M.S. in Biology
- M.S. in Computational Data Science
- M.S. in Computer Science
- PSM in Bioinformatics and Biological Data Science
- PSM in High-Performance Computing for Scientific Applications
Master’s students are responsible for tuition fees but often support living expenses through on-campus jobs. In some cases, Master’s students also work in my laboratory as technical staff, gaining valuable hands-on experience and developing into skilled computational scientists.
Most students who complete relevant Master’s programs become well-qualified to join my laboratory as Ph.D. students Category 1 and will be encouraged to apply after demonstrating strong research potential.