Etiquette - asking to work with someone else?

[Daedra22]

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I was accepted into a program at my school which allows me to get a taste of some of the labs this summer, to help me decide if I would like to do research down the line. I have research experience, but not in this particular field that interests me. I am NOT an MD-PhD student, but I felt this forum would provide the best answers to my questions.

The head of the lab gave me some literature and asked me to tell him which subjects I liked most, so I did. He looked somewhat uncomfortable when I reported back, saying that the researcher in that area has "idiosyncrasies" and might be hard to work with, and before I could adequately respond, I was rushed off to talk with someone else under the assumption I would work with the odd researcher. The rest of the day any time this researcher's name came up, the response was overwhelmingly negative. One of the PhD students came back visibly distressed after meeting him in the hall.

My first real day in the lab is supposed to be tomorrow. I have never met the researcher in question, but given how many negative things I've heard, I'm concerned that my "fun summer doing some research" might turn into "hell summer with guy I hate." Should I meet this guy first and decide for myself? Should I email the head of the lab and express my own concerns and ask if there is another project, before things get started tomorrow? What is the right thing here?

Thank you...

 

[delirium81]

I'd meet him yourself and discuss your interests. I mean, you never know, sometimes certain people have the ability to get along with those who are notoriously difficult. Or sometimes the notoriously difficult person just happens to take a shine to a random person. It happens, but it's rare. Most likely, everything you've heard is true and this guy is a terror to work for, but it's still worth checking out for yourself. Once you confirm it, I'd then talk to the head of the lab and say you don't think it's going to work out with this person. It sounds like he'll understand the reasons. Hopefully he'll then be able to recommend someone else less crazy.

 

[Ombret]

I agree with delirium; trust mainly your own experience. BUT if your first few experiences confirm the rumors, then don't hesitate to ask for a reassignment. It sounds like the boss almost expects this, and frankly, the oddball you are describing may himself have some insight into the situation--making him either unsurprised when you switch out, or outright relieved.

It isn't worth toughing it out for a miserable summer unless you really need to build experience in this specific area for some reason.

 

[Neuronix]

The rest of the day any time this researcher's name came up, the response was overwhelmingly negative. One of the PhD students came back visibly distressed after meeting him in the hall.

Take the hint. This is really unusual. These interactions are usually very political. The fact that people are telling you this outright means to me there is something seriously off.

Should I meet this guy first and decide for myself? Should I email the head of the lab and express my own concerns and ask if there is another project, before things get started tomorrow? What is the right thing here?

Well see for yourself, but the red flag is definitely there waving very highly. Good research experiences are more about having a good advisor than probably any other factor. Make sure you have someone with a good track record of advising med students and getting them published in your time frame. This is more important than almost anything else, including whether it's directly in your area of interest.