Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management (PhD) is an interdisciplinary research-based program. Students in this program are expected to complete all requirements within a minimum of nine terms (3 years) up to a maximum of twelve terms (4 years) of continuous full-time registration. Candidates must meet a minimum residency of three terms, two of which must be consecutive.

Research Areas

The following is a list of research areas you may be interested in:

• Forest Genetics: Landscape genomics, phylogeography, adaptive variation, climate change: Dr. Ashley Thomson
  • Tree Physiological Ecology: Tree responses to climate change, tree responses to environmental stresses, tree migration in response to climate change, photosynthesis, water relations: Dr. Qing-Lai Dang
• Microalgae for wastewater purification and biofuel: Dr. Baoqiang Liao
• Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology: Dr. Douglas Morris
• Community and Resource Development:
  • History and politics: Dr. Michel Beaulieu, Dr. Charles Z. Levkoe
  • Human dimensions of wildlife: Dr. Brian McLaren
  • The circumpolar north: Dr. Chris Southcott
  • History and international development: Dr. Ronald Harpelle
• Ecology:
  • Plant and Disturbance Ecology: Dr. Azim Mallik
  • Microalgae for wastewater purification and biofuel: Dr. Baoqiang Liao
  • Population, Community and Landscape Ecology; Conservation Biology; Biogeography: Dr. Stephen Hecnar
  • Aquatic Ecology: evolutionary ecology, watershed ecology, forest hydrology, water quality: Dr. Mike Rennie
  • Behavioral Ecology: Dr. Brian McLaren
  • Biogeochemistry/ecosystem ecology: Dr. Nathan Basiliko
  • Wetland ecosystems: Dr. Nathan Basiliko
  • Ecosystem reclamation: Dr. Nathan Basiliko
  • Wildlife habitat management and conservation: Dr. Brian McLaren, Dr. Mike Rennie
• Forest Entomology: Dr. Seung-II Lee
• Forest management:
  • Economics and operations: Dr. Dzhamal Amishev
  • Forest Economics: Dr. Chander Shahi
  • Forest Soils and Soil Conservation: Dr. Nathan Basiliko, Dr. Amanda Diochon, Dr. Randy Kolka (adjunct professor)
  • Silviculture and Growth and Yield: Modeling forest stand dynamics, growth and yield, modeling climate effects on tree growth and site productivity: Dr. Mahadev Sharma
• Food Systems: Political ecology, food sovereignty, and agroecology, equity, and sustainability: Dr. Charles Z. Levkoe
• Wood Science: Wood products, bioenergy, international research and development, wood quality and marketing: Dr. Mathew Leitch
• Behavior of structural systems and connections: Dr. Sam Salem
• Biorefining and Biotechnology: Seyedrahman Djafaripetroudy
• Bio-energy, high-value bioproducts (biofuels, biochemicals, biomaterials): Seyedrahman Djafaripetroudy
• Forest Waste Biorefinery for biofuel and value-added products: Seyedrahman Djafaripetroudy, Dr. Baoqiang Liao
• Tourism: Parks management, trail management, Indigenous tourism: Dr. Harvey Lemelin
• Remote sensing: Dr. Brigitte Leblon

Admission Requirements for PhD

Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university and show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, students must have a Master's degree or its equivalent with an academic average as specified by the academic unit. An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of Master's courses taken and academic standing. Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. No candidate will be admitted unless the academic unit recommends admission.

Program Specific Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for PhD programs, the following requirements also apply:

• Availability of a Supervisory Committee for the student
• Normally, an applicant to the program would be expected to have completed a Master's degree in Forestry, related science or an allied discipline; however, students lacking the appropriate background will be required to complete additional courses (up to 2 FCEs at the graduate level) to cover deficiencies as determined by the Supervisory Committee and approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee
• Successful completion of a Qualifying Examination - Qualifying examinations are to be held within twelve months of registration in the PhD in Natural Resources Management program.
• Applicants whose native language is NOT English AND who have NOT studied in an English school system for more than three years will be required to present proof of English proficiency by achieving a total score of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of at least 4.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

Graduate Funding

At Lakehead University, financial assistance opportunities are available in several forms and are generally awarded to students by individual programs on the basis of academic promise and financial need. The different funding options available include:

• Graduate Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards
• Graduate Assistantships
• Faculty Research Scholarships

Required Application Documents

Applicants for admission must be graduates of an accredited university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Doctoral applicants must have a four-year bachelor's degree and a master's degree. Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission. The Faculty of Graduate Studies will advise all applicants in writing of admission decisions once they are received from the program.

Application Availability

• Fall 2026 (September): Open
• International Application Deadline: April 30, 2026
• Spring/Summer 2026: Open (limited options)
• International Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

Campus and Program Type

• Campus: Thunder Bay
• Program Type: Doctoral Degrees
• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management (PhD)
• Route: Thesis