Why & How to Seek out Undergrad Research Experiences

http://www.pdx.edu/lsamp/home

Why do undergrad research? Benefits according to us:◦ Resume building; e.g., skills, presentations, publication Taking a project to completion looks especially good Many professional degree programs have a research component

◦ Achieve a fuller knowledge of principles learned in a classroom; improve GPA

◦ Creates other opportunities; positive feedback loop

◦ Advocates; letters of rec

◦ And who knows? You might decide to pursue a research career

www.units.miamioh.edu

Why do undergrad research?

Benefits according to the internet:◦ Better conceptual understanding of course material Utility in learning the source of textbook information;

understanding how the original experiments were performed Practice with the scientific method; e.g., hypothesis building Improves interest & GPA!

◦ Exposure to interdisciplinary work Science moves quickly! Some knowledge from degree will be

“disposable”; new focus on innovative thinking & knowing how to learn

◦ Access to one-on-one mentorship & community Improved interest, confidence, & retention

http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2013/05/undergraduate-research-students-perspective/

Why do undergrad research?

Benefits:◦ Balancing independence & collaboration

◦ Broader experience & networking informed career choices; preparedness

http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2013/05/undergraduate-research-students-perspective/

Why do undergrad research?

Information Processing Skills:

• Critical Thinking• Problem Solving• Communication• Teamwork• Management• Assessment

Employers & professional degree programs look for these attributes

Why do undergrad research?

Information Processing Skills:

• Critical Thinking• Problem Solving• Communication• Teamwork• Management• Assessment

Engaging in research builds all of these skills

A typical research lab Day-to-day operations◦ Researchers working on different components of one

research problem, on independent projects, or both. Projects often dictated by funding, most of which comes from

outside the university (e.g., NIH, NSF) Publication = currency of science; end goal of ALL projects Like a business where the product is science communications;

like all businesses, can go “bankrupt” Resources vary

A typical research lab Day-to-day operations◦ Weekly group meetings—expect to participate Lab business, research updates, troubleshooting Individual research presentations Journal club – discussing primary literature Sometimes there’s free food

www.unc.edu

A typical research lab Personnel◦ Principle Investigator “PI” or “adviser” Directs research efforts of lab members, but may rarely be seen

in the labWriting grants to keep the lab funded, publishing papers,

teaching, meetings, more meetings, departmental/college service… they’re BUSY!

Don’t be discouraged if your email isn’t answered promptly

A typical research lab Personnel◦ Principle Investigator “PI” or “adviser” Assistant professor = non-tenured professor All faculty enter at this level with a startup package

Associate professor = tenured professor Tenure awarded based on research productivity, teaching, service Usually after ~5-7 yrs

Full professor = professor promoted to highest rank Usually after ~10-15 yrs

http://www.pdx.edu/biology/dr-stanley-hillman-symposium

A typical research lab Personnel◦ Technicians or Lab Managers Some labs have these – researchers hired to

work on specific grant-funded projects or to oversee lab operations; paid from grants; usually have BS or MS degrees

Sometimes help to train undergraduate researchers

◦ Postdoctoral Fellows or “Postdocs” Some labs have these - PhDs who are building their research

experience & independence Doing a postdoc fellowship is often a pre-req for faculty jobsMay be funded by their own grant or by PI’s grantMay or may not train/work with undergrads

A typical research lab Personnel◦ Graduate studentsMost labs have these - Master’s (2-3 yr) or PhD (5-7 yr) students

working on independent or semi-independent thesis researchMay be funded by their own grant, PI’s grant, or by teaching

assistantships (TAs) Juggling research, coursework, graduate exams, teachingOften help to train/work with undergrads

www.pdx.edu

A typical research lab Personnel◦ Undergraduate studentsMost labs have these; role is variable:Washing glassware, preparing sterile media, etc.Assisting with graduate student or postdoc researchConducting independent projectsAny combination of the above

What do PIs expect initially?

Advanced course work? Previous experience?

Natural curiosity & willingness to learn plus the same qualities that any employer would expect, including:

◦ The basics: punctuality, respectfulness, upbeat, communication, hardworking

◦ And others: accountability, flexibility, creativity, passion (http://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/5-tests-hiring-best-employees.html)

What do PIs PREFER initially?

That you know how to use the library & online resources◦ How to do a basic literature search◦ How to distinguish between popular, textbook, & peer-

reviewed literature

See your friendly science librarian & do a workshop… & add it to your resume

What do PIs expect in longer term? Time & effort to master certain technical &

research skills (e.g., record keeping)◦ Goal = collect & publish high-quality data

Commitment to see projects through to completion

Research integrity: absolute honesty about data quality, experimental failures, etc.◦ Science is hard! Things sometimes

go wrong.

Being present & engaged with the lab; team playing, which helps to boost lab morale

gigaom

.com

What can you expect?

Trial period; learning the ropes◦ Are you teachable? A good fit for the lab? Training in basic lab tasks

◦ You’re giving the lab a trial period too Switching labs is okay, but there’s tradeoff between breadth and

depth of experiences

Assigned vs. independent projects; working with grad students or other lab members

Experience will be what you make of it

Keep in mind Letters of recommendation comment on

things like scientific engagement, capacity for self-directed & team work, work ethic, reliability, trustworthiness & ethical standards in addition to technical mastery

www.citeman.com

Determinants of success

Modified from Shaw et al. (2013), Studies in Higher Ed. 38: 711.

“Research preparedness”

Learning motivation

(initial interest)

Research self-efficacy (self-confidence)

Research environment(belonging)

Research orientation(quality of training)

You have complete control of 2 of these.

Determinants of success

Be aware: Female & underrepresented students often score low here even though they’re equally capable!

“Research preparedness”

Learning motivation

(initial interest)

Research self-efficacy (self-confidence)

Research environment(belonging)

Research orientation(quality of training)

“Double dip” for resume building

One research project can add many extra lines to your resume:◦ McNair Scholars Program ◦ Departmental Honors thesis◦ Presentations at research conferences◦ Publication◦ Etc.

Research credits? – Usually not advisable unless you really need 1-2 extra upper division creditso Ask your university adviser

Do I get paid?

Most PSU undergraduate researchers are volunteers, but many are funded through:

PI grant funding

Work study

Some formal internships (usually off campus)

Undergraduate grants

McNair Scholars Program, LSAMP, etc.

Seeking out research experiences

Approaching professors can be intimidating

20th Century Fox/Kobal Collection

Your approach

Walking into PI’s office unannounced? - NO

Catching them after class or during office hours? - YES

Cold emailing—perhaps with an academic adviser’s introduction/recommendation? - YES

Seeking out research experiences Example cold email (concise, respectful,

assertive):

Dear Dr. Viking,

Hello. I am a sophomore Biology major who is interested in pursuing undergraduate research in your laboratory. I am particularly interested in your group’s research on mitochondrial genetics. This is to ask whether your lab has need for a volunteer worker at this time. I am reliable, punctual, and motivated. I could be available between 10 to 15 hours per week.

I would welcome the opportunity to assist with your research and look forward to hearing from you. If you can be available for a few minutes next week, I would love to introduce myself in person. Please find my resume attached (optional). Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,YouEmail: you@you.comPhone: 555.555.5555

Seeking out research experiences

If they say no:

If they don’t respond:◦ After ~ 1 week, send a follow up email &/or visit during their

office hours

Dr. Viking,

Thank you very much for your response. Please keep me in mind if you need a volunteer in the future. I would also welcome any recommendations you may have about other PIs to contact (optional). Thank you again.

Sincerely,You

If they say yes…

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If they say yes…

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Research on campus & beyond Many integrative research programs;

don’t ignore depts. outside your major◦ See faculty research profiles on dept. websites◦ Use Google Scholar to find their recent publications

Many off-campus opportunities including Oregon Zoo & OHSU, Legacy, Providence, etc.◦ Some have formal summer internships (some paid)◦ All accept volunteers too

The balancing act Research must be juggled along

with coursework, outside job?, shadowing, MCATs/GREs, life

How you prioritize research will be specific to your situation

PIs expect that you will be more or less available depending on the term & week (e.g., finals week)o Talk with them about it!o There may be less time intensive projects or other taskso Many experiments are time intensive for brief periods; you

may be able to devote extra time during one term, the summer, etc.

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