Join the Lab

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in joining the Thomas Lab. As a prospective member of the lab, you are joining a collaborative community where I serve as the primary mentor, and where current lab members actively support one another through peer teaching, shared training, and day-to-day scientific mentoring.

Graduate Positions

Master's (MS) in Microbiology or Biology

The Biological Sciences Department at California State University, Long Beach (91ÌÒÉ«) offers two graduate degrees: Biology and Microbiology. Prospective students interested in joining the lab as a master's student should read through the information on our lab website and contact Dr. Thomas between September-December to discuss availability and mutual research interests.

The lab receives many applications but usually accepts only 1-2 new M.S. students per year/cycle. If interested in the lab. Please follow the lab application process below:

  1. Send the following to Dr. Thomas:
    1. A Curriculum Vitae (CV). Include relevant coursework, GPA, research, volunteer and/or work experience.
    2. Introductory email about yourself.
  2. Complete the .
  3. If selected, conduct a Zoom interview with Dr. Thomas in December or January.
  4. If offered sponsorship in the lab, complete both the Departmental and University Graduate Applications. See: Department Graduate Application Instructions.

Additionally, several Graduate Fellowships and Scholarships are available for graduate students.

Undergraduate Positions

We welcome talented and motivated undergraduate lab members. Most students enter the lab and work on an ongoing project. With success and results, one may get their own independent project to lead.

Students are highly encouraged to apply for BUILD, MARC, LSAMP, or UROP funding to support themselves and their research. Several Funded Research Opportunities exist for undergraduate students.

Talk to Dr. Thomas early to plan your application and potential project.

Preference is given to:

  1. funded students.
  2. freshman, sophomores, and juniors.
  3. senior students with a year or more left before graduation.

Students must be willing to commit to multiple semesters/years of research. If you are interested, please complete the following lab application process.

  1. Send the following to Dr. Thomas:
    1. A resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV). Include relevant coursework, GPA, research, volunteer and/or work experience.
    2. Introductory email about yourself.
  2. Complete the .