Research:Help Please

[YouNeverKnow22]

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So I need some advice, I'm looking to set up some research projects in the fall and came across a couple of cancer research clinics near my school. My question is how do I go about approaching this situation and asking how can I be apart of their research? One clinic is an independent private practice while the other is at a neighboring school (UNC).......Any advice would be great because I'm very new to the whole research thing and I'm kind of lost 😎

 

[avantdesign]

So I need some advice, I'm looking to set up some research projects in the fall and came across a couple of cancer research clinics near my school. My question is how do I go about approaching this situation and asking how can I be apart of their research? One clinic is an independent private practice while the other is at a neighboring school (UNC).......Any advice would be great because I'm very new to the whole research thing and I'm kind of lost 😎

just go through their website, read up on the researchers' abstracts, find one that's interesting, and call the researcher directly. try not to go through HR--they don't know anything

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

just go through their website, read up on the researchers' abstracts, find one that's interesting, and call the researcher directly. try not to go through HR--they don't know anything

OK, My two main concerns are is it inappropriate to just contact a well respected MD (especially at another school) and ask if I can work with him and how exactly would I ask someone I haven't met before to research with them?

 

[Hopefullylucky1]

I would suggest to just go for it. I prefer to send and email and leave a short voice message---it's harder to forget about an email sitting in your inbox than a voice message. Introduce who you are (school, major, that sorta thing) and that you are interested in joining a research project. Give your phone number, email, and maybe even times/days you could meet in person to talk.

Don't worry at all about the person's title and such and don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to isn't the one you end up working with. You should know something about the research---but they won't expect you to be an expert---often logistical stuff like hours and days and that sorta thing are just as important. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions! Who will be supervising you daily? How will you learn the techniques? Are there lab meetings? What step are they on with current projects? etc.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

I guess I'll start drafting something, I'm new to this research thing and just didn't know how to start.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

bump for some more advice......pleaseeee

 

[dukemed22]

E-mail professors that you may want to work with. You shouldn't feel awkward doing this sort of thing... profs get such e-mails from many students. Some will delete your e-mail without even opening it, others will politely respond "no", and hopefully at least one will say "sure, we should meet to discuss this..." I suppose you could call, or even just go talk to them in person, but I've always felt more comfortable with e-mail, and it was worked well for me in the past

God luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

E-mail professors that you may want to work with. You shouldn't feel awkward doing this sort of thing... profs get such e-mails from many students. Some will delete your e-mail without even opening it, others will politely respond "no", and hopefully at least one will say "sure, we should meet to discuss this..." I suppose you could call, or even just go talk to them in person, but I've always felt more comfortable with e-mail, and it was worked well for me in the past

God luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.

the thing is these professors are at a neighboring school because my school doesn't have a med. school.

 

[Omni]

Regardless of how top-notch/prestigious a research facility is, if it interests you, just apply for it. But just keep in mind, these research facilities would prefer to employ people who have some kind of experience.

 

[KG216]

Hi there! I just felt compelled to write something after reading your post. I am in a graduate program studying oncology at a cancer institute, and I started my first research project this year.

We are required to have a masters thesis/project to graduate, but we are responsible for finding and choosing a lab. I can relate to how overwhelming it can feel to have to approach someone else asking for a research position.

My best advice is to just do it- they will most likely admire your tenacity and determination to seek out and obtain a research position. They may just shoot you a quick email giving you contact info (if it is not theirs, it will be for someone who may oversee issues such as hiring). It can vary from lab to lab. You never lose by trying, just by holding back- so give it a shot! The worst you will hear is no.

If you are ever up in NY, my school is always BEGGING for researchers 😳 Take care!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Hi there! I just felt compelled to write something after reading your post. I am in a graduate program studying oncology at a cancer institute, and I started my first research project this year.

We are required to have a masters thesis/project to graduate, but we are responsible for finding and choosing a lab. I can relate to how overwhelming it can feel to have to approach someone else asking for a research position.

My best advice is to just do it- they will most likely admire your tenacity and determination to seek out and obtain a research position. They may just shoot you a quick email giving you contact info (if it is not theirs, it will be for someone who may oversee issues such as hiring). It can vary from lab to lab. You never lose by trying, just by holding back- so give it a shot! The worst you will hear is no.

If you are ever up in NY, my school is always BEGGING for researchers 😳 Take care!

thanks for the advice, I guess I'll just dive in and see what happens....can't hurt right? 🙄

 

[DrJosephKim]

You may get better responses if you reach out to post docs (and not directly to busy professors). Find out what type of research they are doing and learn about it so that you can present yourself as someone who would benefit their lab.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

thanks for all the advice guys, the intimidation factor is there--especially when you don't know how to ask a MD or PhD how to help research with them

 

[neuro1986]

...those who recommended just going for it and contacting the MD (PI) directly. I actually just sent out an e-mail for the same reason. Here is my e-mail as an example:

Dear Dr. X

My name is X. I am a senior undergraduate student majoring in psychology at Wayne State University. I plan to apply to medical schools in the next 2 years. I am specifically interested in researching and treating neurodegenerative diseases. I am currently a student research assistant in Dr. X's lab in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. Over the past year and a half I have worked on a few pre-clinical research projects, including one on ALS and another on traumatic brain injury. I have also spent around 70 hours in neurology clinics shadowing doctors that treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, and other neurodegenerative diseases. I am very interested in finding a clinical research project that I could regularly contribute to as a volunteer for the remainder of my undergraduate education. After contacting Dr. X he recommended that I get in touch with you. I am available starting in August and my schedule is largely flexible for the fall and winter semesters.Please let me now if any opportunities exist. Thank you!

Sincerely,

X

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Thanks, I'm 0 for 2 so far.......let's hope my luck picks up....my problem is I have no research experience so it's hard to market myself

 

[neuro1986]

you need to communicate your requests widely. there are tons of research opportunities out there so just keep identifying new possibilities until one is a match.

You have to start somewhere- I mean, how do most people market themselves in the beginning without any experience- I was able to secure the Psychiatry research position with only 2 sciences courses and no research experience- he said that he didn't care how much experience or coursework I had because I was passionate about learning, dedicated to my position, and intellectually curious- he said, and I think we can all agree, these attributes are much more important than experience-sell yourself as someone who would be a joy to teach and a pleasure to be around- if this means going in person and making a more intimate impression- then do it. if you can somehow convey this in an e-mail- try. Don't be afraid to sound confident in your e-mail (and in person) and to sell what you can bring to the table and do not present yourself as someone disabled by an inexperienced background.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

you need to communicate your requests widely. there are tons of research opportunities out there so just keep identifying new possibilities until one is a match.

You have to start somewhere- I mean, how do most people market themselves in the beginning without any experience- I was able to secure the Psychiatry research position with only 2 sciences courses and no research experience- he said that he didn't care how much experience or coursework I had because I was passionate about learning, dedicated to my position, and intellectually curious- he said, and I think we can all agree, these attributes are much more important than experience-sell yourself as someone who would be a joy to teach and a pleasure to be around- if this means going in person and making a more intimate impression- then do it. if you can somehow convey this in an e-mail- try. Don't be afraid to sound confident in your e-mail (and in person) and to sell what you can bring to the table and do not present yourself as someone disabled by an inexperienced background.

👍👍 thanks I've been sending a barrage of e-mails this week to set up research/shadowing gigs for the school year...it's a frustrating time

 

[LizzyM]

Be sure to include skills that you have whether bench or keyboard (statistical software, data entry). Ideally,you target your inquiries to people who use those techniques in their work. The skills may be things you learned in "lab" at your school; even if you don't have work experience in research you may have some lab skills you can use in research.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Be sure to include skills that you have whether bench or keyboard (statistical software, data entry). Ideally,you target your inquiries to people who use those techniques in their work. The skills may be things you learned in "lab" at your school; even if you don't have work experience in research you may have some lab skills you can use in research.

that's actually a great idea because I do data entry for my job sometimes (entering grades,etc.)

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

update im 0 for 4 now, finding a research project is so frustrating--at least in my case. I determined to find a project for this school year but I'm losing hope.....heres what i've been sending to professors let me know what I need to modify/change.


Hi Dr.X my name is X and I'm currently a rising
sophomore at X. I am majoring in Human Biology, I have a very keen
interest in medicine and hope to attend medical school after I graduate. I
wanted to ask and see if you would allow an undergraduate student like
myself to help you with your research this year when school starts, I can
help out in any way needed like maintaining the lab, collecting data,etc.
I don't have much experience but I am very interested in the research you
are conducting and I am willing to learn whatever needed to prove myself
useful in your lab. I believe this opportunity would be a powerful asset
to me on my quest to medical school and I'm always excited to learn new
things. If there is any way you can get one more undergrad in your lab I
would be very grateful! Thank you very much for taking time out of your
busy schedule to read my e-mail and I would be extremely grateful if you
provided me with this opportunity!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

bump 4 advice

 

[maaza1]

Hi, sorry I've seen this a lot, what exactly does "rising sophmore" mean? I can't give you advice 'cause I need help finding a research project also.

 

[plsletmein]

Hi Dr.X my name is X and I'm currently a rising
sophomore at X. I am majoring in Human Biology, I have a very keen
interest in medicine and hope to attend medical school after I graduate. I
wanted to ask and see if you would allow an undergraduate student like
myself to help you with your research this year when school starts, I can
help out in any way needed like maintaining the lab, collecting data,etc.
I don't have much experience but I am very interested in the research you
are conducting and I am willing to learn whatever needed to prove myself
useful in your lab. I believe this opportunity would be a powerful asset
to me on my quest to medical school and I'm always excited to learn new
things. If there is any way you can get one more undergrad in your lab I
would be very grateful! Thank you very much for taking time out of your
busy schedule to read my e-mail and I would be extremely grateful if you
provided me with this opportunity!

1) In my experience, the bolded part is a huge turnoff for a lot of PIs. A lot the ones I've talked to have told me that pre-meds are a huge turnoff for them because they tend to be noncaring and just want to get a quick resume/application booster + LOR. Sometimes they have a post-doc in the lab who will take these types of folks on to do their b**ch work, but the PIs still dislike having them around. They would much rather go for a pre-graduate student who is genuinely interested in research because they may start out doing b**ch work but they'll gradually work their way up and help out on projects too. I would leave out the bolded stuff and if it comes up in person, make sure you get across why research is something you are interested in. If you are genuinely not interested in research, don't bother trying so hard getting research and just focus on clinical experience

2) Make your email more personal. Look up the PI and add bits about their research that interest you to show that you actually have some interest.

3) Try confronting the PI in person too. Its easy to hit delete for emails

4) Apply to a lot more labs

 

[neuro1986]

I agree with everything that plsletmein said.

My suggested revisions:

Dear Dr. X,

My name is X and I am currently a sophomore at X majoring in Human Biology. I have a very keen interest in medicine and hope to attend medical school after I graduate. (delete this and in its place reference a project that the PI is working on- or an area of their research that interests you if you can not identify what their active projects are just from the information online- and briefly remark on why it is interesting to you- the best students are those who are intrinsically intrigued by the research topic and invested in the project's advancements and not using the experience as an instrument to further their own medical careers ) ****I am currently looking to identify a research project that I could regularly contribute to for the remainder of my undergraduate career (make sure that he/she knows this because PIs often weigh the cost/benefits of taking on another undergraduate-if you require more training/direction than the benefits they would derive from your long term contributions- they are unlikely to be inviting). In addition to possessing a variety of specific skills that are likely to be of benefit to a research project (data collection, B, C- if you can, try to list a few more, even if they are not directly related to medicine/research but are attributes/skills that enable you to excel in other areas), I am able to take on any responsibilities that would enable the project to proceed more efficiently. (something to this effect- sell yourself) I am an exceptionally quick learner, am enthusiastic about excelling in everything that I commit myself to, and always find new ways of making dynamic and productive contributions to a work environment (I reworked this because your wording created the impression that they would be doing you a favor by providing you an opportunity-which although is the case- by focusing on it in the way you have it might make them think they will be giving more time/energy to you as opposed to you contributing to them...). If you are aware of any research projects that might be an appropriate fit for what I am looking for, I am able to start (provide date). Additionally, I am available to meet further to discuss any opportunities that might exist including what role I would be able to play. (and- if this doesn't work- I agree- find out where their offices are located and speak with them directly). AND SEND THIS E-MAIL TO MANY DIFFERENT PIS BUT MAKE SURE TO REVISE THE RESEARCH PROJECT YOU ARE REFERENCING AND YOUR INTEREST IN IT*

Sincerely,

X


Hi Dr.X my name is X and I'm currently a rising
sophomore at X. I am majoring in Human Biology, I have a very keen
interest in medicine and hope to attend medical school after I graduate. I
wanted to ask and see if you would allow an undergraduate student like
myself to help you with your research this year when school starts, I can
help out in any way needed like maintaining the lab, collecting data,etc.
I don't have much experience but I am very interested in the research you
are conducting and I am willing to learn whatever needed to prove myself
useful in your lab. I believe this opportunity would be a powerful asset
to me on my quest to medical school and I'm always excited to learn new
things. If there is any way you can get one more undergrad in your lab I
would be very grateful! Thank you very much for taking time out of your
busy schedule to read my e-mail and I would be extremely grateful if you
provided me with this opportunity!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

thanks for the input, so far all the PI's are telling me their labs are "full".........