This page provides information on guidelines for prospective students seeking to work with me.

Graduate Students


I am affiliated with four UC Davis graduate programs: Community Development, Geography, Public Health and Sociology. As a member of these groups, I can be the major advisor, and a member on the thesis, dissertation and Qualifying Exam (QE) committees. I can also serve as the outside member for other graduate programs. Feel free to contact me regarding joining your dissertation committee or serving on the qualifying exam, but you will need to provide the following information before I commit. Even if the fit is strong, I may say no because I am over committed at the moment.

Qualifying Exam


Please send me a maximum one-page summary describing how my specific expertise would contribute to the topics that you envision being tested on for the qualifying exam so I can assess whether my expertise will be beneficial to you. If you are interested in bringing me in only as someone with expertise on a quantitative method (e.g., spatial analysis), explain why you believe I have expert knowledge on that method, why are you interested in having someone with this methodological expertise on your QE committee, what you expect me to test you on for the QE, and whether you searched for faculty with similar methodological expertise but who also has domain knowledge in your substantive topic(s). Also note when you plan to take your QE, and the members already on your committee.

Please see my website for information on my academic training and research interests.

Dissertation/Thesis Committee


Please send me a maximum one-page summary of your dissertation proposal and note the members already on your committee so I can assess whether my expertise will be beneficial to you. Explain how my specific expertise (not just quantitative methods) would contribute to your dissertation research. If you would like me to join the committee only to provide support and guidance on quantitative methods, explain whether you searched for faculty with similar methodological expertise but who also has domain knowledge in your substantive topic(s).

Please see my website for information on my academic training and research interests.

Undergraduate Students


I normally do not bring in undergraduate students into the lab unless they have taken one of my classes. Because my research is quantitative, it would be to your benefit to take my CRD 150, Quantitative Methods in Community Research. If you are interested in doing research in my lab, please contact me to set up a time to meet with me, and be prepared to explain why you are interested in doing research with me.

Visiting Graduate Students


Given my advising responsibilities at UC Davis, I am not able to host visiting graduate students at UC Davis.

Advising on your work


If you are a student meeting with Professor Brazil to ask questions about your dissertation/thesis or a research project separate from those conducted in his lab, please adhere to following guidelines:

  • Send an email providing context for your project. Some questions can be addressed by email instead of an in person meeting.
  • If a meeting is needed, give Professor Brazil enough time flexibility to schedule one (e.g., do not ask just to meet that afternoon or the next day, with no other options), unless it is urgent (e.g., I need to send a draft of my thesis to the committee, but I need your feedback).
  • Send relevant material well in advance of the meeting, preferably no less than 5 days before the meeting. This may be the draft of your dissertation/thesis, or a few paragraphs providing context to your questions.
    • If you send material close to the meeting date, do not expect Professor Brazil to thoroughly read the material.
  • Send a written agenda for the meeting through email before the meeting, even if it is a few hours in advance.
  • The reasons why we want you to provide the materials outlined above is so that we can be efficient with our time during the meeting, which includes Professor Brazil providing you the best possible and informed advice.