Academic Advisers

Upon enrollment, an Academic Adviser will be assigned to you based upon your area of Specialization in the AgChem Graduate Group. Later, students will select a project, join a lab, and obtain a Research Adviser of your own choosing.

Analytical Chemistry
Dr. You-Lo Hsieh
Dept. of Textiles and Clothing
Phone: 530-752-0843
E-mail: ylhsieh@ucdavis.edu
Biological & Toxicological Chemistry
Dr. Taka Shibamoto
Dept. of Environmental Toxicology
Phone: 530-752-4523
E-mail: tshibamoto@ucdavis.edu
Environmental Chemistry
Dr. Tom Young
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Phone: 530-754-9399
E-mail: tyoung@ucdavis.edu
Fiber & Polymer Chemistry
Dr. You-Lo Hsieh
Dept. of Textiles and Clothing
Phone: 530-752-0843
E-mail: ylhsieh@ucdavis.edu
Food Chemistry
Dr. David Reid
Dept. of Food Science & Technology
Phone: 530-752-8448
E-mail: dsreid@ucdavis.edu
Wine Chemistry
Dr. Doug Adams
Dept. of Viticulture & Enology
Phone: 530-752-1902
E-mail: doadams@ucdavis.edu

Choosing a Research Adviser

Choosing a research adviser to guide your dissertation research is a very important decision for new graduate students. This choice affects not only the topic which you will study, but also the mentoring you will receive and the colleagues you will work closely with.

The AgChem Graduate Group encourages students to enter our program without a commitment to any particular lab, and to make the choice of major professor only after spending some time in house. We believe it is in the student's best interest to informally "rotate" through laboratories, spending a few weeks in a series of laboratories in order to get a feel for the environment that each provides.

Each student has in their heart of hearts, a things which they would like to do. If we can match that student with a professor who shares that goal, then there will be success.

The second thing is to recognize that the Ph.D program is about mentoring in the scientific method. From this perspective, many labs and many projects will reach that end.

The following are important considerations in making your choice

Major Professor

From one perspective, the exact topic of research is less important than the interaction between the student and the major professor (as long as the project is interesting, of course!). One professor’s way of thinking, approach to research, philosophy of education, and personality may click with one student but prove a very poor fit for another. In addition to meeting and talking the professor personally, the “lab rotation” is a good way to gain this insight. A good match benefit the student and the major professor alike.

Research topic

Important!! The topic you choose should be conceptually interesting!! Additionally, the methods by which you pursue the work should be stimulating!! In addition to meeting and observing other students in the lab, read some papers on the topic and ASK QUESTIONS!! Regardless of your background, you will be unfamiliar with many of the research possibilities here. Consider some new horizons, stay open-minded, and ask yourself, “Does it sound like fun?”

Adviser

There are many different styles of mentoring. Do you like a hands-on adviser, or one who allows you more freedom? Are you comfortable asking questions, asking for advice, or raising concerns? Do you respect this person's intellect and character? Can he or she teach you things you are interested in learning?

Students and post-docs in the lab group are your primary resource for information on a potential adviser. As funding is often through the adviser, discuss what mix will be available to you as a potential student. Most Ph.D. students are provided with financial support, which will typically be research and teaching assistantships.

Lab environment

Would you enjoy working in the lab group you are considering? Are you interested in a large research group, where you interact with many others but may have to compete for your adviser's attention? Or do you prefer a smaller group? Remember that during your time at Davis the group components can change considerably.