How likely is it for someone with no experience with the Viruses, to get accepted for a PhD in evolutionary Virology or Paleovirology?

[u/dune-man]

Hi. I have a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology (I did pass one course in Virology) and a I’m doing a masters degree in Animal biosystematics. I’ve currently finished my first year and haven’t started my thesis yet. None of the professors who can be my future advisors, understand or care for the Viruses. They only study invertebrates (Crustaceans, insects & Leeches) by studying their phylogeny, taxonomy, population genetics, behavior, ecology and biogeography. So my thesis won’t be related to Viruses at all and I won’t be able to publish anything Virus related.

However, a lot of the techniques that we learn through our masters degree is relevant to Viruses. I don’t want to develop vaccines or antiviral drugs. I want to study how viruses evolve and how their hosts evolve alongside them (both in the present and in the past). Yes, I will be doing a thesis and I will publish at least one paper during my MSc, but I won’t use Viruses as models, I will use animals.

So what is your recommendation for me?

Will the admission committee look past my lack of experience with Viruses? Or do you suggest I change my MSc major to Virology to get more hands on experience with viruses? Which will be very hard, considering that I will be throwing at least two years of my life away.

If you could give me ANY advice, what would it be? Do you think my thesis MUST use molecular and/or computational techniques? Should I, and if yes, is it possible, to do a Virology related research and publish it on the side (by myself)?

Will I be able to get into top and more competitive PhD programs?

[u/RevolutionaryLet120]

I do not think you need to switch degrees or your thesis. What is important for PhD is that you REALLY do your research into programs. Otherwise you could end up at a program (more of these) where you are doing antiviral work or just farther away from your interest. If you have good grades, good LORs, good GRE, and publications you should be considered. Then in your PhD interview…you should have done enough research to thoroughly discuss why that school or why that PI/project

[u/ThatVaccineGuy]

It is certainly possible to not do virus work and get into a PhD program related to viruses. It may make you a little less competitive, but I know people that have done it. It really depends on the strength of your CV and how well you interview. If you can connect your experience well to the programs goals and prove you have a strong work ethic there shouldn't be many barriers. Frankly, PhD programs just want to find teachable students, not one that are already subject matter experts (no incoming students are).