Which research lab to choose?!

[hrhcow]

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[Doctor246853]

Hi SDN!

I recently moved to Boston, and emailed a ton of professors in the area. I guess the fact that I have had a year's worth of basic science research experience, along with offering to work basically for free with long hours got a lot of them biting-- which is great, but now that I have narrowed it down I am having hard time choosing, as I do like all three PI's and the research done in their labs. Please note that I have a part-time job that pays really well, so money may not be the biggest issue.

Lab 1) Small lab- has about 3-4 ish people. Works on translational research, which is something I'm interested in. Not sure about the publication rate, but since PI is one of the Division Chiefs of a renowned hospital, funding and publication should not be a problem. PI is entirely supportive of me being as a pre-med and offered me chances to partake in weekly seminars for medical students/doctors that focus on clinical issues. Postdoc I will be working under will also be giving a course at the Medical School, which I will be able to audit. Seems to be a nice guy who has won a lot of mentoring awards. Cons- I will have to do a lot of animal handling.

Lab 2) Slightly bigger lab (9-10ish people). Works on basic science. PI is young, lesser known. Very friendly PI; involved in university's med school admissions and says that she may have more up-to-date info on what is a good application. Also said that she would get me involved in clinical exposure through her connections. Publication rate not as good. Said that funding may be available for me in about 3-4 months, and I should be able to get paid.

Lab 3) Huge lab (25-30 people). PI is very well known in the stem cell field and is also one of the Division Chiefs of a well-known hospital. Publication rate is amazing. PI however does not ever seem to be around and I will be working primarily under a postdoc, doing a lot of grunt work but will be exposed to a lot of exciting research. Has a lot of funding, so will be able to get paid in the next couple months.

If you guys have any input, I would greatly appreciate it.

To be honest..it doesnt matter. If your goal is to only get into a MD/DO program and not a dual degree, then innie minnie mighty moe that thang.😎

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Either 1 or 2.
3 sounds like he'll be way to busy to care.
And you will be talkin about what you did, not what you've seen done, which is more important anyways.
I would do #1 since it's less people so more recognition, plus it's your interest.
I would go with #2 IF you plan on applying to your uni's med school or if it's your top choice.

 

[generator]

If it were me - I'd do #1. It sounds awesome. What kind of animals just curious?

 

[ponyo]

Absolutely #1, although a con is having to work under a postdoc, which kind of sucks.

 

[generator]

Absolutely #1, although a con is having to work under a postdoc, which kind of sucks.

yeah this is true

 

[hrhcow]

Seems like everyone is leaning on #1. Yeah, I went to visit Lab#3 today, met the PI twice, but was never introduced as he was probably really busy too. With such a big lab it would be easy to feel like being a nameless face.

Sorry I don't really know how to quote: but in terms of animal handling-- he said frogs, rats, and mice. I've worked with dead animals, but not sure if I can get used to live animals. That said, I've talked to people who have, and they said it's not too difficult once you learn how to handle and hold them.

Has anybody worked in a lab with the size of 4-5 people? Does it get a little too intimate? Professor said since he does one-on-one meetings, so it should be good for LOR... but has anybody had bad experiences with working in a small lab?

 

[jkm07]

Seems like everyone is leaning on #1. Yeah, I went to visit Lab#3 today, met the PI twice, but was never introduced as he was probably really busy too. With such a big lab it would be easy to feel like being a nameless face.

Sorry I don't really know how to quote: but in terms of animal handling-- he said frogs, rats, and mice. I've worked with dead animals, but not sure if I can get used to live animals. That said, I've talked to people who have, and they said it's not too difficult once you learn how to handle and hold them.

Has anybody worked in a lab with the size of 4-5 people? Does it get a little too intimate? Professor said since he does one-on-one meetings, so it should be good for LOR... but has anybody had bad experiences with working in a small lab?

I handle mice on a daily basis. They're not so bad, but they like to bite. Use the proper technique and you should be OK.

I work in lab with 4 people. What do you mean by too intimate...😍? But seriously, the camaraderie is there. I have a life outside of lab that doesn't include the lab members since I see them enough as is 🙂.

 

[nysw]

Has anybody worked in a lab with the size of 4-5 people? Does it get a little too intimate? Professor said since he does one-on-one meetings, so it should be good for LOR... but has anybody had bad experiences with working in a small lab?

One-on-one meetings? AWESOME. As you've said, it's a good chance for you to really get to know the research and show that you know it -> good LOR.
I love working in a small lab. The lab mates I have are awesome at what they do. I don't think it gets too intimate at all.. in fact, most of us are so busy that we don't ever sit and chat about our personal lives.. that and all of them are 40+, so it's hard to really talk about anything.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Intimate as in 3 or 4 research partners hooking up behind the PI's back?

 

[hrhcow]

Intimate as in 3 or 4 research partners hooking up behind the PI's back?

You betcha. haha.

 

[kpcrew]

Absolutely #1, although a con is having to work under a postdoc, which kind of sucks.

dunno i'm working with a postdoc right now and he's pretty awesome

 

[ponyo]

dunno i'm working with a postdoc right now and he's pretty awesome

I don't have anything against postdocs per se for the research experience, but there can be two problems:

1. It's harder to get your own publication, especially the chance to write the paper, since the project basically belongs to the postdoc;

2. If you want an LOR from the PI, it might not be as detailed/persuasive since the PI might not know you as well.

Of course you already applied so these are completely irrelevant to you...

 

[hrhcow]

I don't have anything against postdocs per se for the research experience, but there can be two problems:

1. It's harder to get your own publication, especially the chance to write the paper, since the project basically belongs to the postdoc;

2. If you want an LOR from the PI, it might not be as detailed/persuasive since the PI might not know you as well.

Of course you already applied so these are completely irrelevant to you...

+1. However, I think anywhere that you end up working.. most of the time you will get assigned to either a postdoc or a grad student (or multiple). I think the most important thing is to ask whether there is a chance for independent project once you've proven your worth. Some labs only want lab drones.

Also, just curious, has anybody else applying to volunteer positions been asked to give references and/or lor's? I'm surprised since in the past, getting volunteer positions have been relatively straightforward for me-- I emailed, I interviewed, I got in.

 

[Morsetlis]

Two routes:

Slacker route: Pick the nicest PI in the most convenient location with the most autonomy. Autonomy = sit in a corner playing on your laptop while gels run.

Research route: Pick the one where you're most likely to publish.