The Graduate Affairs Committee includes members from each of the major research sections of the Biology Division, as well as a student representative. This committee is responsible for admissions to our research program, oversight of graduate student progress, and acts as a liaison between the KSU Graduate School and the Biology graduate students.

• Tony Joern (chair) - Grassland Ecology
• Carolyn Ferguson - Plant Systematics
• Lynn Hancock - Microbiology
• Jesse Nippert - Eco-physiology
• Lorena Passarelli -Virology
• David Rintoul, (ex officio) - Lipid Metabolism
• Mark Ungerer - Ecological Genetics
• Drew Ricketts (student rep.)

Other major functions of the GAC include:

• Coordination of graduate student orientation and the Konza potluck picnic at the start of fall semester
• Coordination of the Biology Research Forum during the spring semester
• Annual selection of the winner of the Michael Scott Watkins award, given to an an outstanding graduate student instructor
  (For a list of other graduate student awards given within the Division of Biology click here)

In collaboration with members of the Biology Graduate Student Association, we have also prepared a brief document outlining graduate students expectations and responsibilities. You can also obtain electronic versions of various forms and other documents that pertain to graduate student affairs by clicking here.