Lucy Barker

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Perinatal Mental Health Dear Professor Barker, 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 "Traumatic brain injury, interpersonal violence, and postnatal mental illness: population-based study." (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 CIHR-funded project "Preconception mental illness and perinatal psychiatric risk: a population-based study" (2025), 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]