Dates: July 27 - August 2, 2025
Cost: $300
Deadline to register: July 13
Location: Mountain Lake Biological Station, Pembroke, Virginia
Join Drs. Amanda Gibson, Corlett Wood, Curt Lively, and Lynda Delph for a six-day workshop on evolutionary biology for early career graduate students. During this week, you'll have the time and support to think deeply about the evolutionary questions that excite you and to engage in focused conversations with a small group of peers. As your group shapes ideas into a research proposal, you'll practice communicating with one another and articulating yourself in writing. The workshop will also include tutorials on the art of science writing and question development.
After participating in this workshop, you will be better able to:
- identify important questions in evolutionary biology
- formulate testable hypotheses and design targeted experiments
- express yourself clearly through writing and speaking
- have focused conversations with your peers about shared scientific interests
We have found this experience to be particularly valuable for evolutionary biology students who are early in their PhD, prior to writing their dissertation proposal. We assume some prior experience working in the field of evolution. The research proposal is an exercise in scientific thought and communication; it will reflect the mutual interests of your group and does not need to focus on your specific dissertation research. So, come prepared to work with your group on a wide range of evolutionary questions and approaches that may fall outside your area of expertise!
This workshop is modeled on the Evolutionary Biology Workshop in Guarda, Switzerland that was initiated by Stephen C. Stearns in 1988.
Preparation:
Participants will be asked to read portions of Sherratt and Wilkinson's 2009 book Big Questions in Ecology and Evolution.
Schedule:
The earliest move-in time is Sunday at 4:00pm, and the first meal included is dinner at 6:00pm. Checkout is by noon Saturday, and the last meal is included is lunch.
Location and Travel:
MLBS is a remote full-service residential field station in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia. Road access is good. The nearest airport is Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), a 1.25hr drive from the Station. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a 3hr drive. There will be least one group transport from ROA. More about traveling to MLBS…
Housing:
Accommodations are 1930s-era historic buildings and are rustic in nature. Shared housing will be assigned. Linens, pillows, and towels are *not* provided. There is no cell service, but WiFi is provided throughout the Station, including in cottages. More about accommodations…
Cost:
$300 - Covers registration and room & board
Financial Assistance:
The American Society of Naturalists has generously provided funds to support a subset of participants. Recipients will pay a reduced registration fee of $150. If you are interested in being considered for one of these awards, please fill out this form. Awards will be distributed on a rolling basis, with consideration of need.
Limited financial assistance is available from MLBS. To be considered for MLBS support, please email a brief statement of need to mlbs@virginia.edu.
Registration:
An $80 deposit is required at registration. Any remaining balance will be billed separately, and is due by July 13. You may also choose to pay in full at the time of registration. Online credit card payment is required. **If you have requested financial support from ASN or MLBS, please only pay the deposit.**
Cancelation:
The deadline for cancelation with a full refund is July 13.
**CLICK TO REGISTER**
Questions:
About workshop structure or content: Contact Amanda Gibson, akg5nq@virginia.edu
About registration, logistics, or station life: Explore mlbs.org, or contact MLBS staff at mlbs@virginia.edu, 540-982-5486