Undergraduate & Volunteer Opportunities
I receive many inquiries from undergraduates and individuals interested in volunteering. At this time, I do not individually manage a standing undergraduate volunteer program. For current opportunities at the Field Museum of Natural History, please see:
Careers page:
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/careers
Volunteer page:
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/volunteer
You may also wish to visit the Amphibians & Reptiles (Herpetology) section of the museum website to learn more about departmental activities and consider reaching out to the other curator or the collection manager in Herpetology to inquire about potential opportunities.
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/science/centers-and-labs/amphibians-reptiles
Prospective Graduate Students
Thank you for your interest in joining my research group at the Field Museum of Natural History.
I work on evolutionary biology and systematics of snakes using integrative and genomic approaches. If you are considering a Master’s or Ph.D. with me, please read the following carefully to determine whether your goals align with the focus and expectations of my lab.
What I Study
My research centers on evolutionary biology, phylogenomics, and systematics of snakes. While I am broadly interested in squamate evolution, my lab’s primary focus is:
- Species delimitation and taxonomy
- Phylogenomics and comparative genomics
- Historical biogeography
- Diversification and macroevolution
- The use of natural history collections for modern genomic research
- Integrative approaches combining morphology, genomics, and museum data
Much of our work leverages large genomic datasets, museum specimens (including historical and fluid-preserved material), and comparative methods. We frequently publish in leading journals in systematics and evolutionary biology.
What I Am (and Am Not) Looking For
I am not seeking students whose primary motivation is:
- “I love reptiles and amphibians.”
- “I want to work with cool animals.”
- “I want to handle snakes.”
Liking reptiles is wonderful — but it is not enough.
I am looking for students who are deeply interested in:
- Evolutionary theory
- Squamate evolution, especially snakes
- Have a strong background in general herpetological knowledge/taxonomic knowledge
- Species concepts and delimitation
- Phylogenetic inference
- Comparative methods
- Writing scientific papers
- Asking and answering big evolutionary questions
If your primary goal is animal husbandry, field handling, captive breeding, wildlife rehabilitation, or general natural history without a strong evolutionary framework, my lab is probably not the best fit.
What a Ph.D. Really Is
A Ph.D. is not extended coursework.
It is not primarily fieldwork.
It is not primarily lab benchwork.
A Ph.D. is learning how to design, execute, and publish scientific research.
You will:
- Develop independent research questions
- Analyze complex datasets
- Write manuscripts
- Revise manuscripts after peer review
- Submit again
- Present your work publicly
- Write more
Ultimately, your Ph.D. will be judged by your published papers and your ability to think as an independent scientist. If you do not enjoy writing, revising, and thinking critically about data and theory, a Ph.D. may not be the right path.
Institutional Pathways
Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students in my lab are admitted through the University of Chicago Committee on Evolutionary Biology (CEB). This multidisciplinary program emphasizes strong training in evolutionary theory, quantitative methods, and professional development.
Program information:
https://evbio.uchicago.edu/
Applicants should review the structure and expectations of the CEB program carefully before contacting me.
Master’s Students
Recent Master’s students working with me have been enrolled through:
- DePaul University (Biological Sciences Graduate Program)
https://csh.depaul.edu/academics/biology/graduate/Pages/default.aspx - Loyola University Chicago (Biology Graduate Program)
https://www.luc.edu/biology/graduateprograms/
Master’s students in my lab typically pursue genomics-based or systematics-focused projects designed to produce at least one publishable manuscript while receiving training in writing and analysis.
Master’s vs. Ph.D. Expectations
Master’s Students
A Master’s degree in my lab is typically:
- Focused on a clearly defined project that I have already helped outline
- Designed to produce at least one publishable manuscript
- Training-intensive in analytical methods and scientific writing
- Completed efficiently within the expected timeframe
Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students are expected to:
- Lead multiple projects
- Publish multiple peer-reviewed papers
- Develop intellectual independence
- Mentor junior students
- Write grants and contribute to writing grants
- Engage with the museum community (attend seminars, meet with visiting scientists, engage in outreach)
- Be able to help out with lab management at times
- Engage deeply with evolutionary theory
My goal is to train scientists who are competitive for research careers in academia, museums, government agencies, or related fields.
Skills That Help You Succeed in the Ruane Lab
Students who thrive in my lab typically:
- Enjoy reading primary literature
- Write clearly and frequently
- Are comfortable with quantitative analysis
- Are willing to learn bioinformatics
- Are persistent
- Can work independently
- Take constructive criticism seriously
- Care deeply about rigor and clarity
Fieldwork may be part of your training, but most of your time will be spent analyzing data and writing. I suggest reading this as you consider if you want to pursue graduate school, especially Ph.D.
Before You Email Me
If you are interested in joining the lab, please:
- Read several of my recent papers.
- Identify specific evolutionary questions that interest you based on snakes or at least squamates.
- Explain clearly how your interests align with evolutionary biology and snake systematics.
- Describe your relevant skills and future goals.
Final Thoughts
Snakes are extraordinary organisms for studying evolution. They provide powerful systems for investigating diversification, adaptation, genomics, and biogeography. But loving snakes is not the same as wanting to be an evolutionary biologist and become a primary investigator.
If you are excited about publishing rigorous, theory-driven research — and are ready to commit to the demanding, writing-intensive nature of graduate training — I would be happy to hear from you. I conduct zoom sessions to chat with prospective student starting in September of the year of that planned application; at that time, a link to sign up to chat will be posted here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14Cen8PcJTrn0G3lNM52vhbrVLTzT8n-_f3X8yFB5pX4/edit?usp=sharing.
If you have questions before that, please email me, otherwise, check that link back in September to find a time to talk!
SARA'S SNAKEPIT 