Research lab size

[Feelgood Inc]

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I'm looking for research labs on campus to work for this summer and (hopefully) for the coming semesters as well. Last summer I worked for a research fellow who I did a lot of grunt work for and the topic of research was something that I lost interest in so I didn't gain anything from it. Now I'm looking for labs earlier than I did last year and for a topic that I'm truly interested in. Should I look for a big or small lab? How much of a factor should I place if the PI is well established in his/her field?

 

[Goro]

You should look for a lab you feel comfortable to work in and ideally, have people experience working and/or supervising UG students.

The quality of the lab, the stature of the PI and the type of research are irrelevant. You're there to learn something about the scientific method, not write an R21 grant.

The bigger the lab, and the higher the stature of the PI means that you're unlikely to interact with the PI, but be placed under the care of a grad student or post-doc.

I'm looking for research labs on campus to work for this summer and (hopefully) for the coming semesters as well. Last summer I worked for a research fellow who I did a lot of grunt work for and the topic of research was something that I lost interest in so I didn't gain anything from it. Now I'm looking for labs earlier than I did last year and for a topic that I'm truly interested in. Should I look for a big or small lab? How much of a factor should I place if the PI is well established in his/her field?

 

[hoihaie]

research is easier if you're in a rich lab though!

 

[Feelgood Inc]

You should look for a lab you feel comfortable to work in and ideally, have people experience working and/or supervising UG students.

The quality of the lab, the stature of the PI and the type of research are irrelevant. You're there to learn something about the scientific method, not write an R21 grant.

The bigger the lab, and the higher the stature of the PI means that you're unlikely to interact with the PI, but be placed under the care of a grad student or post-doc.

Two professors at my university are apparently among the most cited investigators in my topic of interest. Would it be unwise to approach them to be their undergraduate research assistant because of this?

 

[medic86]

Two professors at my university are apparently among the most cited investigators in my topic of interest. Would it be unwise to approach them to be their undergraduate research assistant because of this?

I would say it depends.

Do you know them on a personal level at all?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Two professors at my university are apparently among the most cited investigators in my topic of interest. Would it be unwise to approach them to be their undergraduate research assistant because of this?

I would say that it should be fine, just make an effort to get to know your PI (like try and schedule weekly meetings with them to talk about your project or something like that).

 

[Feelgood Inc]

I would say it depends.

Do you know them on a personal level at all?

No, and every professor I will email who researches this topic will be cold-emailed as well. All of my connections who are scientists study an entirely different topic.

 

[medic86]

No, and every professor I will email who researches this topic will be cold-emailed as well. All of my connections who are scientists study an entirely different topic.

Then give it a shot! If you don't ask, then you know what the answer will be. 😛

 

[WedgeDawg]

No, and every professor I will email who researches this topic will be cold-emailed as well. All of my connections who are scientists study an entirely different topic.

All 3 of my research positions were due to cold-emails/calls. Connections aren't necessary (though they certainly are helpful). Just express a strong amount of interest and familiarity with their recent work (maybe read a couple of their newest papers) and be able to explain why you want to work specifically in their lab.

 

[ski89]

I'm looking for research labs on campus to work for this summer and (hopefully) for the coming semesters as well. Last summer I worked for a research fellow who I did a lot of grunt work for and the topic of research was something that I lost interest in so I didn't gain anything from it. Now I'm looking for labs earlier than I did last year and for a topic that I'm truly interested in. Should I look for a big or small lab? How much of a factor should I place if the PI is well established in his/her field?

I actually have experience in both a large lab of about 20 people between grads, UGs, and post docs (with a well known PI, professor emeritus) and with a small lab with 3 or so grads, 1 post doc and a PI that was an assistant professor. For the purposes of medical school admissions I don't think that the stature of the PI matters much.

One advantage of a large lab is that they will be publishing papers much more frequently so you might have a better chance at getting your name on a paper in a large lab. But then again, you will not likely get to know the PI very well because he/she will be far to busy to spend much time with you.

On the other hand, when I worked in a small lab we did not publish many papers (I did not get published). However, I spent many many hours working directly with my PI and he was able to really be a personal mentor for me for the few years that I was in his lab. Not only did this make for a great experience for me as an undergrad, but I think it made for a MUCH better LOR.

In the end I would argue that a small lab is better for pre-med research experience. Even if you do publish, I would argue that the only thing that really matters is what you can show you actually accomplished/learned from your experience. You might have your name on a paper, but if you can't prove that you actually did something meaningful then it's not that impressive. In my opinion, the best way to prove to adcoms that you did something of value and grew as a scientist as a result of your work, is to have a strong recommendation from your PI, which as I said is much more likely to happen in a small lab.

 

[trulylovin]

Personally, I think a smaller lab provided more advantages given that I was able to lead my own project with minimal guidance from my PI and post-doc. Instead of doing misc. experiments like a technician, I was provided a necessary independence to critically analyze results/failures and design further experiments. This was one of the key takeaways for me. Be sure when contacting labs that you ask about: whether you'll have your own project and if there is a possibility of publishing in the next two years. These are just my 2 cents.

 

[Lucca]

I got my current position through cold email. I looked for 3 things (listed by order of importance):

Active publishing record in the lab.

The lab employs skills I already have (I've already done a year of research, part grunt and part independent and lowering the learning curve means I can be productive faster)

There have been undergrads in the lab before.