Meet Our PhD Students

RGGS Comparative Biology Ph.D. Program students are making important discoveries thanks to new fossil and molecular evidence, cutting edge technologies, and the mentorship of the RGGS faculty. Their analyses have implications for the Tree of Life, biodiversity and conservation, disease prevention and control, and more, and they publish papers in leading academic journals during their enrollment or subsequently based on research from their studies during their dissertation programs. They are a remarkably accomplished group, regularly earning prestigious awards, prizes, and grants, and securing notable positions upon graduation. They hail from all across the U.S. and from many other countries. The Program's annual enrollment is generally 18 students, over half of whom are women.

RGGS-AMNH Comparative Biology Ph.D. Program: Student and Alumni Achievements (as of Spring 2023)

You can review a summary of the awards, achievements and professional placements of our PhD Students and alumni here:

Richard Gilder Graduate School Collaborative Program PhD Students

AMNH also has a long and distinguished tradition of Collaborative Ph.D. Programs. The Museum's doctoral and postdoctoral training programs date from 1908 and are the oldest and largest of any science museum. Our current graduate training partnerships are with Columbia University, the City University of New York (CUNY), New York University, Cornell University, and Stony Brook University. These partnerships include course cross-enrollment agreements (currently with Columbia and CUNY), and service by AMNH staff as adjunct faculty for teaching, doctoral student advising, and field and laboratory work. Collaborative students enroll and register at the home university, and receive their degrees from that university, but study at the AMNH with AMNH scientists and alongside the RGGS Comparative Biology Ph.D. students. All students in the collaborative programs are members of the Richard Gilder Graduate School community. Collaborative Program PhD students who are Richard Gilder Graduate School Graduate Fellows are indicated with (GF). Click here to learn more about our Graduate Student Fellowship program.