Before the rotation
- Identify labs that interest you
- What do you like about science in general?
- Is there an area you are most excited about? (Disease, theme, e.g cancer epigenetics). This is a good starting point, but shouldn’t be the biggest factor in your final decision.
- Is there a technique or field you want to gain experience in to help facilitate future endeavors?
- What types of projects are going-on in the lab?
- How often does the PI like to meet with students?
- Do they prefer to have formal meetings set up in their office?
- Is there an open-door policy?
- Has the PI mentored MD/PhD or PhD students before and where are they now?
- If the rotation goes well, will there be funding for you to stay in the lab?
- Discuss expectations for your rotation
During the rotation
- Understand how the lab works and observe personnel dynamics
- Can you see yourself spending 4-5 years there?
- Understand the science and the questions you are trying to answer. Getting exposure to different areas of research, model system and ideas will help you determine which lab you want to join and which research topic you want to pursue.
- Try to learn a new technique
- Read relevant articles to become more familiar with the field
- Consider completing a mini-literature review related to your rotation project and prepare them into slides; this will: 1) help introduce you to the field 2) be useful for when you have to present your project at the end of the rotation and 3) show your PI that you can think deeply about a project
- Introduce yourself to everyone in the lab and learn a little about their projects.
- Attend all lab meetings and journal clubs
- Pay attention to how the lab interacts with each other and how the PI interacts with other students
- Ask the other lab members what the lab is really like. Most people will be honest
- Try to meet with the PI on a regular basis
- Ask a lot of questions
At the end of the rotation
- If you will be presenting your work in a lab meeting at the end of the rotation, take this seriously. This will help you synthesize what you have accomplished and what you have learned.
- Meet with the PI to discuss your project and experience in the lab.
- Ask for feedback on your performance.
- Some PIs, especially new ones, will ask for some feedback too based on your experience in the lab. Be honest.
- Personally reflect on what you have learned and what you enjoyed.
- If you are interested in selecting this lab for your thesis work, ask about funding availability
- Discuss any concerns you might have
Choosing a lab for your thesis (in order of importance)
- The mentor
- Will he/she take time to teach you, mentor you, and help you succeed through graduate school?
- Does he/she have the knowledge/expertise to help you do so?
- Will they provide you with the guidance/independence that you need?
- The lab environment
- Will you have the physical and intellectual resources at your disposal to be successful?
- Will other lab members teach you what you need to know?
- Is the lab well-funded and does it have the requisite infrastructure and equipment to carry-out your project?
- The project
- Don’t worry too much about the specific project. If the scientific direction of the lab is interesting to you then you can develop a project with the PI that is exciting to both of you.
- Are you motivated and excited to explore this topic further?
- Will what you learn help you with future scientific endeavors?
Remember:
Having an interesting project that excites you is important, but keep in mind that even the “best”, well-designed projects can fail. Choosing a good mentor, good lab environment and a good fit for you is much more important!