What are your thoughts on this lab I might join?

[nuagexrose]

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I previously posted about this particular lab, but I have some new updates on it.

-Met with PI, she was very eager to have me in her lab and has been quick to start setting up a work schedule with me (I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had several other options I was considering, so it seems as she assumes that I am 100% going to be a part of the lab)

-Lab is just over a year old, has published 1 or 2 papers so far

-PI is really young, and quite nice. Not quite sure if she actually works a lot in the lab or spends most of the time up in her office, but she should be quite approachable.

-When I mentioned having my own project, the PI was kind of wary and hesitant, and said that I'd have to latch onto post-doc / grad student first (sigh, soooo tired of having to do this), and then I can move up gradually.

-The group has grown from 4 people to now 10 people over the course of this summer. This is what worries me the most...I feel like the doubling in size can kind of mess up the "balance" of the lab especially because it's new, and I feel like 10 people is a bit too much...

-Also, the graduate students are all 1st or 2nd years, naturally, and I'm not sure how this would affect my work and my learning process if the people I am learning from are also quite inexperienced.

-Publications, posters, presentations for me...? I really don't know, as the lab hasn't been around long enough with other undergraduates to set a precedent.


What do you SDNers think, especially about the sudden growth of and the young graduate students in the lab? Any tips for me if I do end up joining?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I previously posted about this particular lab, but I have some new updates on it.

-Met with PI, she was very eager to have me in her lab and has been quick to start setting up a work schedule with me (I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had several other options I was considering, so it seems as she assumes that I am 100% going to be a part of the lab)

-Lab is just over a year old, has published 1 or 2 papers so far

-PI is really young, and quite nice. Not quite sure if she actually works a lot in the lab or spends most of the time up in her office, but she should be quite approachable.

-When I mentioned having my own project, the PI was kind of wary and hesitant, and said that I'd have to latch onto post-doc / grad student first (sigh, soooo tired of having to do this), and then I can move up gradually.

-The group has grown from 4 people to now 10 people over the course of this summer. This is what worries me the most...I feel like the doubling in size can kind of mess up the "balance" of the lab especially because it's new, and I feel like 10 people is a bit too much...

-Also, the graduate students are all 1st or 2nd years, naturally, and I'm not sure how this would affect my work and my learning process if the people I am learning from are also quite inexperienced.

-Publications, posters, presentations for me...? I really don't know, as the lab hasn't been around long enough with other undergraduates to set a precedent.


What do you SDNers think, especially about the sudden growth of and the young graduate students in the lab? Any tips for me if I do end up joining?

Newer, smaller labs often have the advantage of being quite friendly towards undergraduates and eager to teach. I'd be willing to bet that you have more opportunities for self-direction here because there are a lot of new projects going on. It's understandable that the PI didn't immediately tell you that you could have your own project--she doesn't know you. If this has happened many times to you, why do you keep switching labs? No one is going to immediately trust a new undergrad assistant. Also, getting a poster or publication is not the ultimate goal of research. The ultimate goal is to get some sort of self-directed research project going, to be able to speak intelligently about the research material, and to gain an understanding of what research entails. If you get a pub, cool, but your chances of med school admission won't be diminished if you don't. So I wouldn't use that as a deciding factor.

I would make your choice based on whether you're interested in the research itself.

 

[911 Turbo]

Join, PI is gonna wanna publish even more and you might be able to use that to your advantage.


And having first year graduate students is better than having fourth year graduate students. First years wont regard you as a complete imbecile for not knowing stuff

 

[dannybht]

OP you should join the lab interests you most, but if there is a high chance you might be able to start your own project and publish something you should definitely go for that lab instead. Sometimes you don't have to have your own project to be able to get something published. You might even be a 3rd or 4th author of a project your are helping with.

 

[mariamonte]

Choose a project based on whether you are genuinely interested in it and excited to work there. I couldn't even imagine the torture of working in a lab I'm not interested in just to get a publication. Remember that you're probably going to be working there for long hours.

😀

 

[Bangersandmash]

Is the PI attractive? This should be your deciding factor.

 

[mimelim]

When I mentioned having my own project, the PI was kind of wary and hesitant, and said that I'd have to latch onto post-doc / grad student first (sigh, soooo tired of having to do this), and then I can move up gradually.

Was this a theoretical discussion or a proposal of an idea and being shot down? If it is was the former, then it is par for the course. You seriously thought that someone you don't know would trust you, someone with zero credentials (a manifestation of where you are at, not a knock on you) with time, funding etc? If it was the latter, then there is reason to be wary. If someone isn't going to listen to your ideas and contributions and just wants you there to do menial labor then it isn't worth your time.

 

[saveourpens]

I previously posted about this particular lab, but I have some new updates on it.

-Met with PI, she was very eager to have me in her lab and has been quick to start setting up a work schedule with me (I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had several other options I was considering, so it seems as she assumes that I am 100% going to be a part of the lab)

-Lab is just over a year old, has published 1 or 2 papers so far

-PI is really young, and quite nice. Not quite sure if she actually works a lot in the lab or spends most of the time up in her office, but she should be quite approachable.

-When I mentioned having my own project, the PI was kind of wary and hesitant, and said that I'd have to latch onto post-doc / grad student first (sigh, soooo tired of having to do this), and then I can move up gradually.

-The group has grown from 4 people to now 10 people over the course of this summer. This is what worries me the most...I feel like the doubling in size can kind of mess up the "balance" of the lab especially because it's new, and I feel like 10 people is a bit too much...

-Also, the graduate students are all 1st or 2nd years, naturally, and I'm not sure how this would affect my work and my learning process if the people I am learning from are also quite inexperienced.

-Publications, posters, presentations for me...? I really don't know, as the lab hasn't been around long enough with other undergraduates to set a precedent.


What do you SDNers think, especially about the sudden growth of and the young graduate students in the lab? Any tips for me if I do end up joining?

Just to go against the grain here...I'd join only if you're positive you'll get an independent project out of it. And a large lab usually means that it's more established, and that you'll have more people to ask for advice and collaborate with. I'd look for labs that publish frequently, 20+ papers a year, and with an MD or MD/PhD. imo they're more likely to make your time in the lab worthwhile.

 

[DAPI]

I would probably join.

This lab just ran into a significant amount of funding if they were really able to go from 4 to 10 people over the sumer and the lab is only two years old. The PI is clearly doing something right to be able to do this.

Also, you will probably be able to hook up with one of the grad students that is just starting a new project. From there, you may be able to expand the project to encompass more and co-author or second author a paper, which is better than what most undergrads do.

Thats just my thoughts since no one else had really mentioned those things.

But I also agree with others that if another lab's research interests you more, I may look into those labs more extensively.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

Starting with a team from the early stages of a project is a great opportunity I would not pass up. As an undergrad you will not be stumbling upon promising and faculty intensive independent projects too easily. A lot of times those projects are sort of pet projects because the labor is cheap or free AND they are often times very hit or miss with getting faculty that actually wants to teach you. Working from the ground up with a 1st or 2nd year grad student in a new lab is THE IDEAL position to learn A LOT and be prepared to take on your own project within the group in the future. Your chances of getting your own project within that group will go up exponentially and your chances of actually doing something productive during that project will exceed any other independent work you get elsewhere since you will have a lot of exposure to the material, objective and available resources. Also, working with a newer group has its advantages because there will be a lot of work to do in the future. When you hop on the backend of an established lab, you are often times digging a hole that has already been dug.

Let me just say... publishing and presenting research should be the last thing on your mind. If you are going into research with the mindset that you are going to publish if it kills you, you are in for a terrible time. A matter of fact, it may kill you and the only thing you'll ever get published is your name in the obituary . Of course this depends on what research you are going into. Some fields are simply not conducive to pumping out publications like a paper factory. If you go into research wanting to push yourself, learn and apply science to the real world, you will come out a lot more satisfied and you will have a lot more to offer further down the road. Remember, you are only what, 20? This is a marathon...

edit: And having a PI that seems eager and willing to help is a great sign. Just thought I would let you know that this is not always the case! Ask the majority of grad students ;D

 

[nuagexrose]

For all of you that have told me to think about how interested I am in the work they do: I love it, I think it's really cutting edge and definitely something exciting and the group has already made great progress in the short time that they have been running.

So I guess this seals the deal for me!

I just wanted to be wary about any of the negatives I may experience with this particular type of lab.