Quitting a research project

[dude1344]

Thanks to all the posters. I'm going to stay and carry this out. Editing out content.

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[Encephalectomy]

is the PI a bigwig in the department you are planning on applying for in residency? If he's a basic science researcher who you won't have to ever see again, then I don't think there is much problem in going elsewhere. Is is a little rude, sure, but so is what he did to you and it is your time and effort so...

 

[acard72]

You need to look at your situation. You did not recieve funding from your school which means the professor for which you will be working will have to cover you. This will likley come from his own funding which necessitates that all money be spent on those projects. The NIH and other funding sources have very strict spending policies which if violated can result in criminal and civil charges. So he is not disrespecting you. Moreover, remeber that you are a medical student and now practically nothing about research. Would you be offended if while in the operating room a surgeon dismissed your opinion on how the case should be conducted-of course not.

The academic scientific community is small, be very carefull who you offend because it may come back and bite you. Take this as an opportunity to learn something new from someone with much more experience than you. Humility is an important aspect of medicine.

 

[typhoonegator]

This really bothers me - it seems to me that he doesn't respect me and kind of sees medical students as lab slaves that will just do whatever he wants us to do. I mean, common courtesy is to notify me ahead of time and see if I'm still interested in this project correct?

What would give you the opinion that you are anything other than a lab slave? You don't have funding. You aren't an expert in your field. You don't even have any clinical experience yet. You should consider yourself lucky that you have something to work on at all.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but I'm a board-certified neurologist, with independent post-doctoral funding, and I'm still somewhat of a slave to my PI. He gets the funding and introduces me to new contacts. I do the lab work and write papers and grants. We both get what we want out of the relationship. What does your PI get out of his relationship with you?

Tell your PI that you were really excited about your other project, and ask if maybe you could split time between the two. Don't leave. Grin and bear it. I imagine your PI probably has a reason for asking you to work on this other project. Maybe he thinks it is more likely to be successful than your prior one.

 

[dude1344]

Nothing to see here.

 

[typhoonegator]

He probably doesn't think it's a big deal. Projects change all the time. Most PIs have a lot of balls in the air, and I'm not the least bit surprised that he didn't have the time or inclination to keep you in the loop about what was going on.

Talk to him about it. Can't hurt.

 

[Fiddlergirl]

Like the other posters have said, it's not uncommon for projects to suddenly change. I'm sorry, but you need to understand that he's doing you a favor by letting you work in his lab for the summer. It's time to swallow your pride and just do it. Good practice for third year.