Which lab would you choose?

[Palaver]

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This is my dilemma. I have an option of choosing two labs.

1. A genetics lab. I have a chance of producing publications in this lab before I graduate. However, it is in a division of biology I don't like. If I continue this lab, I will only be able to continue an honor's thesis in Bio with an emphasis in genetics.


2. A neurobiology lab. The research in this lab is slow. The mentor has been doing research for 2 years and has not produced one publication because she has to train animals. Chance of producing a publication is very low, cannot produce a first author at that. Yet, this is where my passion lies. Can complete my bio degree with an emphasis in neurobiology.


Which one would you choose? Please note that I'm also considering a phd program in neuroscience as well as medical school. Either one, haven't decided yet.

 

[deleted36260]

I have ruined your polling results. I meant to vote for the neurobiology. I'm an idiot 🙂

Do the one you'll enjoy the most. One publication isn't going to make or break you if you don't like the work. You will enjoy, and thus get more, from the neurobiology lab.

 

[Palaver]

We're talking *multiple* (2 or 3) publications vs. no publications

 

[versatilebeats]

I would go with where my passion lied. Without the passion, your research efforts will suffer and you will just be miserable. As nice as it is to be published as an undergrad, I'd hate to be in an unhappy situation to do so. Besides, what will be more impressive to the interviewers? The fact your eyes light up and your voice picks up when you talk about neurobiology or that you have a fat stack of publications? Sure, publications will help you get to the interview phase, but so will a lot of other things (GPA, MCAT/GRE, extracurriculars, etc.). Especially of concern are good letters of recommendation - believe that your research advisor will pick up on your enthusiasm.

Also, having experience in the field you will study later will give you a leg up in grad/med school. Of course, once you get to graduate school, it should be easy to pursue whatever you want, so if you wanted to change gears from genetics once you got there, that shouldn't be a problem either.

I just hate the idea of punishing yourself anymore than you already are (as a science major) just in order to have a higher chance of admissions.

PS - I'm an undergrad too, and currently applying to several MD/PhD programs. I'm worked in brain cancer, so I may have some bias towards neurobiology 🙂 , but I did try to be objective above.

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

I'm kind of in a similar situation. I'm a Neuro and Psych double-major and I really love neuroscience, but after trying and trying the first available research position I got was in a cancer research lab. I'm not too keen on doing cytos and transformations, but at this point I'm pretty much commited to the professor. I would go with what you enjoy. It will make the research a lot more fun and you won't have to force yourself to go there. Research sucks when you aren't interested in it.

Also, if you are debating between neuro grad school and med school, working in the neuro lab would be a good way to help you decide.

 

[eddie13231]

I am biased because I work in a genetics lab. One thing to keep in mind about research experience is it very much depends on the PI even more, I dare say, the research. If your PI is not very helpful and quiet, you will probably become frustrated with all your failed experiments and perhaps give up and change labs or lose interest. It is important to enjoy the research you are doing but more than likely it will be very complex and you might not understand all the details. The method of research is mostly the same. You will probably get the same experience (exposure to science) in both labs. I would pick based on professor ratings and what you hear about them. Good luck!

 

[Slackenerny]

I'd keep looking for new opportunities. If would wouldn't be happy or really productive in either lab check out other professors, even other departments. Research in a lab you don't like is painful. Neuro could be promising if you'll get something out of it. Publications aren't everything.

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

If you do chose Neuro, make sure you're down to kill some rats. lots of rats.

 

[_ian]

Which one would you choose? Please note that I'm also considering a phd program in neuroscience as well as medical school. Either one, haven't decided yet.

With this in mind, definitely the neurobiology lab. Publications really aren't very important, especially if this decision may shape where your career goes.

 

[akinf]

This seems like a stupid thread. Genetics is such a broad field that encompasses so many things.

Neurobiology is newer, but why would one be better than the other. Man up and just choose the one you like...you don't need a random internet post to tell you that.