undergrad-admin's blog

— from the PI’s desk

To make the most of your interview for an undergrad research position, you need to ask the right questions to determine if the project is right for you. That might sound easy (and obvious), but if you haven’t held a research position how do you know what questions will give you the most meaningful information?

— from the Lab Manager's bench

One of the differences between instructional lab classes and research in a professional lab is how feedback is given.

In an instructional lab, you have quizzes, lab reports, an attendance policy, exams, and possibly out-of-class assignments—all attached to a point system outlined in the syllabus. For most instructional labs, you can calculate your grade and therefore know whether or not you’re excelling.

— from the PI’s desk

Whether your poster is for an undergrad research symposium, or a professional meeting you should take it seriously. The poster you create represents you. Your best work, and your lab. The quality represents the value you find in your research project, and how much you appreciate your research supervisor’s efforts. The poster you create also sends a message to the PI about how much you value the research opportunity you’ve been given.

— from the Lab Manager's bench

It will happen to you. It will also be okay.

There is only one guarantee in research: sometimes things fail. It doesn’t matter what your major is, how much experience you have, or whether your research is basic, applied, clinical, or translational.

— from the PI's desk

Each semester, I post an advertisement for the open undergrad research positions in my lab. The ad includes a description of the project, methods my lab uses, and overall objectives of my lab's research focus.