Prospective Students

If you are interested in applying to the Páez-Riofrio lab as an external student to do your Master or Doctoral thesis work, please read this web page to get a sense of the laboratory and our work. As an external student in the Páez-Riofrio lab, you would be linked to Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Galapagos Science Center. To learn more about the External Student Program requirements in USFQ and GSC, including information of requirements, visit our contact section. External students are supported with logistical facilities and academic advice. Because the Páez-Riofrio lab does not currently have funding for students, we strongly encourage you to apply for an external fellowship to finance your thesis work within our projects. Your ability to secure one of these external fellowships will greatly increase your chance of being admitted in our laboratory.

The Páez-Riofrio lab is interested in studying the trophic ecology of species in the marine environment, ecosystem modelling and the relationships between Galapagos fauna and introduced species. Trophic ecology is the study of how a predator’s foraging ability is affected by biotic and abiotic aspects within its ecological niche. Our laboratory leads a long-standing research effort at Galapagos Islands with studies in pinnipeds and other marine predators. We suggest that you have a strong background in courses such as Ecology, Marine Ecology, Modelling, Biostatistics and Conservation. It is strongly recommended that you have already performed an independent research project at the bachelor’s or master level. Once you have a self-funded research project in mind that fits in with the lab’s interests, email with your CV, a brief statement of your project and research interests, funding opportunities you’ve acquired or are applying for.