Research noob

[jgauger]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I'm doing an independent study this coming semester for 2 credits. I'm basically doing it because it fills a few different roles for me. If I do it I won"t have to write a huge research paper in another class, it counts as upper-level elective for my major, and its something to put on the med school app.
I met with the PI in May and he told me about all the stuff they're working on and said he'd like me to be in his lab, cool. I met with him again in June to talk about the schedule and such, he asked me if I had thought about what I wanted to work on....uhhhhh well... not really. I figured I'd just be assigned to something (didn't say that). So he gave me copies of like 10 of the publications his lab has had to read.
Now the class starts in like 10 days and I am kinda lost. I don't really know what is expected of me. What should I learn and do between now and then so that I don't look/sound/act like an idiot when it starts. Sorry for the long post. Thanks for any advice.

 

[URHere]

Just read the papers, research the techniques if you don't understand them, and then decide what you find interesting.

Most labs deal with a variety of different techniques. For example, a lab looking at a specific gene may involve gene knockouts, behavioral testing, drug testing, protein examination/purification, tissue staining, and even computer modeling. If your lab used all of these techniques, which sounds most appealing to you? As an undergrad, you will be most helpful to this lab if you are trained very well in a specific technique, you just have to decide which one.

So, read.

 

[Beta Cell]

Just read the papers, research the techniques if you don't understand them, and then decide what you find interesting.

Most labs deal with a variety of different techniques. For example, a lab looking at a specific gene may involve gene knockouts, behavioral testing, drug testing, protein examination/purification, tissue staining, and even computer modeling. If your lab used all of these techniques, which sounds most appealing to you? As an undergrad, you will be most helpful to this lab if you are trained very well in a specific technique, you just have to decide which one.

So, read.

He hit it spot on. When I was first starting out reading papers and didn't understand many of the techniques/jargon, I had wikipedia on for the entire time I was reading. As you become more familiar with techniques/terms and you progress through your research, you begin to need Wikipedia less and less. It's all part of the learning experience, enjoy it.

 

[jgauger]

Thanks a lot guys. I guess I have some studying to do in the next ~ week.