Alison Leitch

Subject: Prospective PhD student Dear Professor Leitch, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Aggregation and hetero-aggregation of polystyrene microplastics: Roles of surface functionalization, water chemistry, humic acid, and kaolinite colloids." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Geophysical assessments of the Valentine Lake gold deposit property, Central Newfoundland" (2019), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]