how many people here who are doing research hate their research PI? I used to love research until I get such a ****ty PI that ruins it for me.
On a different note, I saw a new icon that looks like a cervix that I put on the title. Have I been studying to much or does it really look like a cervix?
your research outcomes could be effected by a PI who doesn't seem to understand your goals within the scope of the work, who annoys you with an overbaring demeanor, or who just isn't on the same page with your approach to the science at hand..
On the flipside, you can try your best to decipher what your PI wants from you and leave personal issues out of it. In my summer research between MSI and MSII, I had a principle investigator who trained, liiscensed etc in Pakistan. His english was awful, I could hardly understand him, and he spoke very little if at all. However he was an outstanding physician, had a great idea for our summer work, and in general was a kind person... So I carefully read and re-read his research proposal and his old published works until I could explain our project goals to a 4 year old child.. Then went on to really have success with him- It is sort of a process of adapting to your "boss" and trying to please them while still maintaining some level of independent direction in your work...
For example, he asked that I review several hundred medical records from our treatment and control group outcomes after a surgical procedure. Took me two weeks because of the filing system at our hospital... but when I was done pulling data, I noticed a few trends that showed some significant benefit for our treatment group (i.e. certain pre-operative factors that showed protective effect). I showed him this at our weekly meeting and I saw his eyes light up, and I could tell that he was pleased despite his never saying so. The point is-- just dig deeply into the work, go deeper than what was asked of you (Im not suggesting that you pull 80 hour weeks devoted to the research, just keep an eye out for special trends or possible confounders), and I think if you do those things, any social issues you have with your PI (such as conflicting personalities, overbaring interruptions while you are speaking,not respecting your ideas, etc) will be overcome. Good luck
