M1 summer research

[ambergris]

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I have two options for doing paid research at my med school this summer.

1. working with a neurosurgeon
Collecting all of the data and writing most of the paper-possibly first author
retrospective clinical study
A LOT of work, mostly independent
I want more clinical research experience, but I would mostly be looking at files instead of interacting with patients

2. working in a cardio lab
Mostly lab work, would be published but not as first author
really really chill, would be working with other students, more social

No idea what specialty I want to go into yet, but neurosurgery isn't too high on the list at the moment. I've worked in several labs before and have never been published, so I really want a publication this summer. However, would it be worth it to work that much harder for first author? I know writing a paper would be great experience, but it is my last summer, and I do want to be able to enjoy it.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[NickNaylor]

I would go with #1 1000%.

 

[ambergris]

I was scared someone was going to say that...ahaha. I guess it's mostly a dilemma of what the practical voice in my head says and what I really want to do.

So first author vs. 3rd or 4th really makes that big of a difference? Even if it's a publication in a field that I most likely won't go into?

 

[NickNaylor]

I was scared someone was going to say that...ahaha. I guess it's mostly a dilemma of what the practical voice in my head says and what I really want to do.

So first author vs. 3rd or 4th really makes that big of a difference? Even if it's a publication in a field that I most likely won't go into?

I would take a first author pub over a third or fourth author pub any day.

Look, I had an awesome M1 summer in terms of not working hard while still kind of getting stuff done. It ultimately ends up being a complete waste of time, and frankly I wish I just hadn't done anything rather than spin my wheels in a lab for 8 hours a day. If you have the opportunity to do something meaningful and that will help you down the road, you should do it - plain and simple.

 

[ambergris]

Hmm I misspoke, most likely second author and not first author.

Thanks for your input though! I really appreciate it.

 

[blazer123]

What if you dont publish, is summer of research a complete waste? ill be doing translational research and i dont think or know how likely it would lead to any publishing.

 

[NickNaylor]

What if you dont publish, is summer of research a complete waste? ill be doing translational research and i dont think or know how likely it would lead to any publishing.

Pub definitely isn't required, but ideally you should get SOMETHING from that work - even if it's just a poster - at some point in the future.

 

[blazer123]

Hey Nick, if my MS1 summer break is pretty short like 6 weeks ( i guess technically 8 weeks but i would like to take a little break from school) and im bit unsure how much i can get out of the research (like even poster if its something more basic/ translational research), do you think i should just forget it and just relax the summer

 

[evilbooyaa]

Hey Nick, if my MS1 summer break is pretty short like 6 weeks ( i guess technically 8 weeks but i would like to take a little break from school) and im bit unsure how much i can get out of the research (like even poster if its something more basic/ translational research), do you think i should just forget it and just relax the summer

Don't do basic science in your M1 summer if you don't plan to continue it. You won't finish.
Generally, try and find a PI that has some projects that need manpower and go snag that 1st or 2nd author. Setting up your own project takes forever and the IRB process is painful to do anything meaningful in 8 weeks.

To OP, take the first. Even if it's a second author, and especially if it has a good chance of getting published.