Pitt PIs

[BarmyArmy]

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Hello!
I will be starting the MSTP program at Pitt this June. I am wondering who are some of the more exciting and high impact PIs? My main areas of interest is in immuno and bioinformatics(other fields are cool too).

Any input is appreciated!

 

[wuhanese]

im not familiar with the fields but i use this all the time to see the funding levels - the really good ones usually have 2-3 +500,000$ nih grants

http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm

 

[BarmyArmy]

awesome stuff thanks!

 

[tortuga87]

How are you guys selecting PIs? Funding levels, publication number/impact factor, lab size? What if the person is still an assistant professor and doesn't have a proven track record yet? I'm not sure where to start

 

[BarmyArmy]

How are you guys selecting PIs? Funding levels, publication number/impact factor, lab size? What if the person is still an assistant professor and doesn't have a proven track record yet? I'm not sure where to start

Well I think its all important (I know... not helpful). I guess I would first identify PI with research I am interested in, then look at their publication record, and funding levels. I would avoid junior faculties since they might be a bit of a gamble. Some will publish in high impact journals and some might take years just to get the lab fully running. The last and most important for me is to visit the lab and talk to the people there to get a vibe.

BTW have you decided on attending pitt?

 

[obscurehero]

For me, I'm also trying to look at where they've published. A few high-impact factor journal publications tells me that they're confident in their work, and not afraid to publish in these journals. Not to mention that they're work is high-caliber enough to get accepted.

I hadn't thought to look at their NIH funding levels...although I can see how that's an important thing to look at. I don't know, I feel rather nosy like I'm looking through someone's purse or something.

Good thoughts here! Keep 'em coming. 👍

I'm definitely nervous about picking my first lab to rotate through.

 

[Neuronix]

1) Funding (at least 1 active R01 that was recently approved)
2) Has PI trained MD/PhDs in the past and gotten them out of lab quickly? If not, does PI understand the unique time pressures on MD/PhDs and support that?
3) Is PI going anywhere?
4) Does the PI and the people in the lab seem cool?
5) Are you at all interested in the work going on there?

If all of those are favorable, it's worth a rotation.

High profile publications are a double-edged sword. If they only publish in high end journals it could mean only high risk projects. It could also mean that they refuse to publish in lesser journals which could really screw you over if your data doesn't turn out to be amazing. Keep in mind your goal as an MD/PhD student--publish at least once in a field journal or better and get graduated from the program in 7-8 years.

 

[tortuga87]

BTW have you decided on attending pitt?

Yes, I'm going to Pitt! See you in June

 

[obscurehero]

1) Funding (at least 1 active R01 that was recently approved)
2) Has PI trained MD/PhDs in the past and gotten them out of lab quickly? If not, does PI understand the unique time pressures on MD/PhDs and support that?
3) Is PI going anywhere?
4) Does the PI and the people in the lab seem cool?
5) Are you at all interested in the work going on there?

If all of those are favorable, it's worth a rotation.

High profile publications are a double-edged sword. If they only publish in high end journals it could mean only high risk projects. It could also mean that they refuse to publish in lesser journals which could really screw you over if your data doesn't turn out to be amazing. Keep in mind your goal as an MD/PhD student--publish at least once in a field journal or better and get graduated from the program in 7-8 years.

Great points! Thank you!