Hi All,

Can someone please check my letter of application for a PhD scholarship? Is the content OK or I should be more specific in some parts. Thank you in advance for all comments!!. Martin.

I am writing to apply for the Scott Family Trust PhD Scholarship in Marine Science at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

I graduated in Biological Sciences in 2002 from Mar del Plata National University, Argentina. During my studies I became very interested in Marine Biology, working in Marine Ecology with emphasis in Benthic Invertebrate Ecology in natural coastal environments. In my graduate theses I analyzed changes on a hard substrate benthic community in Patagonia (Argentina) after 40 years.

In 2005, I took a Masters Degree in Zoology at Santa Cruz University, Bahia, Brazil. When developing my Masters´ dissertation, I applied my research skills to evaluate a sea urchin species potential as a fishery resource and design management practices for its conservation. This was a real challenge and a very interesting experience for me, which convinced me to focused my future research studies in marine conservation and management. During my master I have also participated in different marine biology projects in tropical ecosystems working with accompanying fauna occurrence in shrimp trawling by-catch, petroleum impact on different mangroves areas and marine biodiversity survey of coral reefs environments.

I returned to Argentina in 2005 and continued working with Benthic Ecology projects in rocky shores environments in Patagonia and Buenos Aires. Since 2007, I have been working in Buenos Aires as an associated researcher in the Environment Institute at the La Matanza National University. Some of the activities include the development of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, the design of Environmental Strategic Plans (ESP) and the development of conservation projects.

The aim of the present PhD research is to study the productivity of the coastal shallow benthic ecosystems of Northern New Zealand, comparing the production of Marine Protected Areas with their nearby (fished) areas to determine if ecosystem production is also affected by overfishing. Using the marine reserves as controls for fishing effects, the data will indicate whether fishing has positive or negative effects of ecosystem production for the subtidal biotopes analyzed. This information will help coastal fishery managers to consider the effects of fishing on ecosystem productivity as well as maintaining the fish population. Considerations such as this are an important part of so-called ‘ecosystem management’ of fisheries. Detecting such effects could be difficult in many marine ecosystems. However, the previous studies on the reserves near the Leigh Marine Laboratory (University of Auckland) provide a unique context for designing and interpreting studies such as proposed here. Finally, I think that the research project proposed here will increase my knowledge in marine ecosystems and contribute with important information to manage and preserve the Marine Protected Areas of New Zealand.

Besides my research activities, I like to travel. I like your country and I have learned a lot about her history and culture. I have also attended language courses in order to improve my knowledge of English and to better understand your culture. My previous academic experience in a foreign country helped me to easily adapt to a new environment and I have also learned the commitment necessary to succeed as an individual and as a member of a team.

I believe, with the combination of my profile and passion for research, I am a strong candidate for the Scott Family Trust PhD Scholarship at the University of Auckland. I will be very excited to hear from you. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Martin