Part Two: Navigating the Lab Dating Scene

[Republished from 11/15/2011]
By Stephanie Wang

You are single. Open. Interested.

 Yet, no one in the research community knows this yet.

It is up to you to make the first step.

What to look for in a potential Primary Investigator!

In Part One: Lab Drama and The Breakup, I explained the importance of finding a lab that you are passionate about, and how to break up with a lab that isn't "Mr. Right," so to speak. Now that you're single, it is time to start looking for a lab that is a good fit for you. Finding a laboratory is a fun and exciting process.  College is a place in which you have the freedom and opportunity to study almost any topic you can think of, from chemistry and physics to biology and engineering.  Here are some tips to help you get started on your search.

1.   How do I know what labs to contact?

Perhaps a better question is, what is your purpose for doing research during college?  Is it because you can’t get enough of a particular scientific topic and want to learn more?  Would you prefer a fast-paced, cutting edge lab setting, or rather a smaller, slow-paced environment? Are you looking to delve deep into a specific topic or to dabble in several projects? Do you want to gain the skills to one day go into industry or head your own lab?  Is it just for the experience?  Or is it a springboard for medical school?  Consider your intentions before beginning your search for a new lab.  By doing so, you may be able to narrow your search to better suit your own needs. 

2.   I want my lab to be tall, handsome, outgoing… and involved in the synthesis of new cancer drugs. 
Some people come into college knowing exactly what scientific topics they wish to pursue. They can easily do a search on faculty in their field of interest and pinpoint a particular one they want to work with.  

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Yet, others might find the task of knowing which labs to contact daunting. Perhaps you've never conducted research, or you are looking for a fresh start. As a freshman, I had no idea what I wanted to study, and because of that, I felt frozen, unable to even begin looking for a lab. I had done some biomedical research at a hospital research facility in high school, but doing research in a college lab seemed like it would be on a whole different level—it was intimidating to me just thinking about it.  Moreover, I had no idea which field of science I would be most interested in.   

Brainstorm some topics that you find interesting. The Scientista Foundation suggests reading scientific magazines regularly to discover what topics interest you most [See: Top Five Magazines Every Scientista Should Read]. Another clue to your own interest is to analyze what you've enjoyed most from the courses you've taken. Perhaps you took a particularly interesting material engineering class, or really enjoyed your neurobiology lecture on human sexuality. L

For those who are uncertain like I was, you may be wavering between different topics in one field or between entirely different fields altogether.  Whatever your case, I recommend that you look up labs that you think you would enjoy. The cure for the freshman me would have been to just start somewhere by getting a sense for what sort of research my campus had to offer.  

3.   Alright. So then, where should I look?

Once you have located a general area of interest, it may be helpful to go straight to your campus's science departmental websites. Get familiar with these websites, as they are the "Ok Cupid" of the research world. There are often links that profile researchers and labs from that department, pointing you to specific research topics.  Take a quick glance—is there anything interesting?  Keep tabs on the topics that intrigue you.

At the same time, it is good to have realistic expectations: just like with relationships, it is rare to find a lab that is a "perfect fit." If you are interested in research, do not let your uncertainty about a particular lab be a hindrance!  After meeting with the PI and discussing potential projects, you can make up your mind as to whether you really want to try the lab out.  The worst thing you can do is to want to do research, but not make a move because you are unsure of what type of research you want to perform.

If you’re especially lost, it may be worthwhile to talk to someone with more experience than you. This could be a friend already in a lab, your academic advisor or even your favorite science professor.  I personally found my academic advisor, Bodo Stern, to be particularly helpful in my search for a new lab as he had many insights on whether a PI would be a good mentor or not for me.   

Good luck on your search! 

[WANT MORE TIPS FOR HOW TO GET INTO A LAB ON YOUR CAMPUS? Read Scientista's exclusive interview with Harvard Research Advisor, Professor Ann Georgi: How to Get into Research]

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PART THREE: "Love" Letters to Lab

Once you've found your dream lab, what do you do? Next up, get your pens out and learn how to craft the perfect letter. 
Read more >

Successful Relationship with Research 2/4

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