progressivepremed
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Hi everyone,
I’m a OMS-II looking for some advice on how to proceed with a research mentor situation. I started working with a doctor from a different institution last summer. Initially, I reached out to him about doing research over the summer, and he agreed. I worked full-time on the project and saw him almost every day. He also let me shadow him, and we seemed to get along well.
The first research project we worked on didn’t really lead anywhere, but that was okay with me since I was still learning. Just before summer ended, we started a new project, and I asked if I could continue it once I went back to school. He agreed.
However, when the semester started, I hadn’t heard from him in a couple of weeks. I emailed him a few times, spaced out over a few more weeks, but got no response. At the time, I was also collaborating with one of his colleagues on another project, so I asked her to reach out on my behalf. She did, and the doctor finally got back to me, explaining he was delayed because he needed to get me clearance for a research dataset.
Since then, I have completed the first task for the new project. He said that once I did, we’d meet to discuss the next steps. It’s been over a month since then, and despite a couple of follow-up emails, I haven’t heard back. I’m genuinely interested in this research, and it’s disappointing to feel like it’s slipping away. I also need more research experience in this specialty, which is one of the main reasons I want to continue working with him.
I don’t want to bother his colleague again or come off as annoying if he’s no longer interested in continuing the research. At the same time, I’m considering applying to this institution for residency, so I don’t want to damage any potential future relationship.
What would you suggest I do in this situation? Should I keep following up, give him more space, or try another approach? Any advice would be appreciated!
I’m a OMS-II looking for some advice on how to proceed with a research mentor situation. I started working with a doctor from a different institution last summer. Initially, I reached out to him about doing research over the summer, and he agreed. I worked full-time on the project and saw him almost every day. He also let me shadow him, and we seemed to get along well.
The first research project we worked on didn’t really lead anywhere, but that was okay with me since I was still learning. Just before summer ended, we started a new project, and I asked if I could continue it once I went back to school. He agreed.
However, when the semester started, I hadn’t heard from him in a couple of weeks. I emailed him a few times, spaced out over a few more weeks, but got no response. At the time, I was also collaborating with one of his colleagues on another project, so I asked her to reach out on my behalf. She did, and the doctor finally got back to me, explaining he was delayed because he needed to get me clearance for a research dataset.
Since then, I have completed the first task for the new project. He said that once I did, we’d meet to discuss the next steps. It’s been over a month since then, and despite a couple of follow-up emails, I haven’t heard back. I’m genuinely interested in this research, and it’s disappointing to feel like it’s slipping away. I also need more research experience in this specialty, which is one of the main reasons I want to continue working with him.
I don’t want to bother his colleague again or come off as annoying if he’s no longer interested in continuing the research. At the same time, I’m considering applying to this institution for residency, so I don’t want to damage any potential future relationship.
What would you suggest I do in this situation? Should I keep following up, give him more space, or try another approach? Any advice would be appreciated!
