Lab tech or Excellence in Research?

[MissionSeeker]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello SDN!

I have just transferred to UCI as a Junior Year, and got offered a job opportunity (Lab Tech) in a Pharmaceutical lab. They work with fruit flies and mice. They do some biochemistry and cell culture as well, and in the near future (less than a year) start some projects with stem cells.
I am very interested in the biochemistry and bench experiments, and curious about stem cells as well.

Do you think that i should take this offer? or go for Excellence in research (might be in Hans Keirstead Stem cell lab, which is #1 stem research lab at UCI)?

I'm not really sure which of these labs i would learn the most and would look best in my application for MedSchool.


FYI: the Pharmaceutical lab:
- It is a small and recent lab
- I know very well the PI and most of the staff in the lab
- i have been working in a project for 8 weeks during summer, and they wanted me back as a Lab technician or do some excellence in research in that lab. (very flexible hours)
- Depending of my competency, they will be more willing to let me lead a project and give me freedom.

Stem Cell lab (Hans Keirstead):
- Huge and a very productive lab.
- I don't really know the PI= Hans Keirstead. He's rarely in lab.
- My PI (pharmaceutical lab) is willing to hook me up in that lab so i can learn and fulfill my curiousity (she saw me very interested in Stem cell).

What do you guys think about these options?
I don't really have problems with $$, since FAFSA with scholarship are paying for all my tuition. Just have to pay for my Car and Rent.

I'm not really sure how the resumee looks as a Lab technician or Excellence in research. I would appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Hello SDN!

I have just transferred to UCI as a Junior Year, and got offered a job opportunity (Lab Tech) in a Pharmaceutical lab. They work with fruit flies and mice. They do some biochemistry and cell culture as well, and in the near future (less than a year) start some projects with stem cells.
I am very interested in the biochemistry and bench experiments, and curious about stem cells as well.

Do you think that i should take this offer? or go for Excellence in research (might be in Hans Keirstead Stem cell lab, which is #1 stem research lab at UCI)?

I'm not really sure which of these labs i would learn the most and would look best in my application for MedSchool.


FYI: the Pharmaceutical lab:
- It is a small and recent lab
- I know very well the PI and most of the staff in the lab
- i have been working in a project for 8 weeks during summer, and they wanted me back as a Lab technician or do some excellence in research in that lab. (very flexible hours)
- Depending of my competency, they will be more willing to let me lead a project and give me freedom.

Stem Cell lab (Hans Keirstead):
- Huge and a very productive lab.
- I don't really know the PI= Hans Keirstead. He's rarely in lab.
- My PI (pharmaceutical lab) is willing to hook me up in that lab so i can learn and fulfill my curiousity (she saw me very interested in Stem cell).

What do you guys think about these options?
I don't really have problems with $$, since FAFSA with scholarship are paying for all my tuition. Just have to pay for my Car and Rent.

I'm not really sure how the resumee looks as a Lab technician or Excellence in research. I would appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

I'd stick with a lab that likes you, wants to pay you, and is willing to work closely with you. You are more likely to get a great LOI and probably more likely to get put on a paper or at least allowed to go present a poster somewhere. "Excellence" in research, with a capital E, requires more than just a famous PI. I know from first hand experience.

 

[MissionSeeker]

I'd stick with a lab that likes you, wants to pay you, and is willing to work closely with you. You are more likely to get a great LOI and probably more likely to get put on a paper or at least allowed to go present a poster somewhere. "Excellence" in research, with a capital E, requires more than just a famous PI. I know from first hand experience.

LOI, you mean Letter of "Rec" right?
By the way, thanks for your quick response! i really appreciate.

 

[Slowpoke]

Hello fellow anteater!

Really tough decision. Prof. Keirstead is one of the leading experts on using stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries, it is just too bad there is little face time with him. I have been in two 199 research positions, one in a lab where the PI never showed up and the other where the PI had his doors open all the time. Being able to interact with the PI to get advice on my project and to share life stories (along with other shenanigans) really made a difference in my 199 experience.

It sounds like the lab technician position not only provides you with a paying job but also grants you the opportunity to lead a project under a PI you know very well. I think the decision shouldn't be too difficult. Although I have a friend that is a huge fan of Prof. Kierstead's work and would call you nutz for turning down that opportunity.

In the end, I'd vote for lab tech.

 

[whiteshadodw]

Hello fellow anteater!

Really tough decision. Prof. Keirstead is one of the leading experts on using stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries, it is just too bad there is little face time with him. I have been in two 199 research positions, one in a lab where the PI never showed up and the other where the PI had his doors open all the time. Being able to interact with the PI to get advice on my project and to share life stories (along with other shenanigans) really made a difference in my 199 experience.

It sounds like the lab technician position not only provides you with a paying job but also grants you the opportunity to lead a project under a PI you know very well. I think the decision shouldn't be too difficult. Although I have a friend that is a huge fan of Prof. Kierstead's work and would call you nutz for turning down that opportunity.

In the end, I'd vote for lab tech.

from my personal experience, i would choose the lab with the better mentor rather than your current research interest. your current interest may or may not change in the future. however, what you learn from your mentor will be something you can always carry over. if you get face time with a mentor, that would be pretty nice. however, you might also get a chance to work on your own project if prof kierstead is super busy.

 

[mmmcdowe]

LOI, you mean Letter of "Rec" right?
By the way, thanks for your quick response! i really appreciate.

Yes, sorry LOR. I've been getting so many LOI questions that I wrote it from habit.

 

[MissionSeeker]

Hello fellow anteater!

Really tough decision. Prof. Keirstead is one of the leading experts on using stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries, it is just too bad there is little face time with him. I have been in two 199 research positions, one in a lab where the PI never showed up and the other where the PI had his doors open all the time. Being able to interact with the PI to get advice on my project and to share life stories (along with other shenanigans) really made a difference in my 199 experience.

It sounds like the lab technician position not only provides you with a paying job but also grants you the opportunity to lead a project under a PI you know very well. I think the decision shouldn't be too difficult. Although I have a friend that is a huge fan of Prof. Kierstead's work and would call you nutz for turning down that opportunity.

In the end, I'd vote for lab tech.

I'm glad to hear from a UCI prospective student!
Thank your valuable input! You are right, It's not that though decision but i just wanted to hear some opinions, specially from an anteater. 👍
Thank you

 

[metalmilitia08]

Research!!