Prof J Parnell
Applications accepted all year round
Awaiting Funding Decision/Possible External Funding
About the Project
My research group is involved in the study of tropical plant systematics, phylogeny and conservation with special reference to Thailand and mainland SE Asia. This work is important because very many of the species we are working with prove new to Science and were, up until our study, undocumented. Indeed the geographic area we work in has proven to be especially species rich and our work has raised both systematic and substantial biogeographic questions. For example, we have published recently on the biogeographic divides at the Isthmus of Kra and on Wallace's Line and have published regional accounts of various Angiosperm families with many species, and some genera, new to Science. Our discoveries have implication for the phylogenetic study of many groups of plants beyond those in SE Asia and have helped in the determination of conservation priorities in the region.
Our main focus is trying to provide phylogenetically robust revisions of Eudicot groups across as wide a geographic range as is possible. There are a large number of plant groups that await further study. If you are interested, please see my webpage for a list of publications and more details:
http://www.tcd.ie/Botany/staff/johnparnell.php
Funding Notes
Currently I am seeking highly qualified students to apply for funding from the Irish Research Council.
The IRC fund 4-year PhD fellowships which cover a €16,000p.a. stipend, tuition fees and research costs. The IRC is competitive and uses the calibre of the student as one of their main assessment criteria, therefore excellent grades, research experience and publications will improve chances of success. The next deadline for applications is the 28th January 2014, with a start date for the PhD of 1st October 2014. Applications are submitted by the prospective student together with their supervisor.