You will
need to make the initial contacts by asking several different
faculty about specific research opportunities available in their
labs. A good place to start to identify potential mentors are
the websites
of research faculty in Biology or those of faculty
in the School of Medicine working in areas that are of special
interest to you (i.e., cell biology, cancer research, genetics,
developmental biology, neurobiology, behavior, ecology or evolution).
Students interested in ecological field studies may want to
consider opportunities for research during summers that are
available at the Mountain
Lake Biological Station . Begin this process early
so that you have plenty of time to learn about a number of different
possibilities.
Try to
identify several faculty members (3-7) whose work seems interesting
to you. Send an email to each faculty member asking for an
appointment to discuss the possibility of doing research in
the lab. Your note should be short but should highlight your
interests and any of your qualifications. Be sure to include
the following:
-
Mention
why you chose them and what specifically interests you about
this area of research (i.e., liked this topic in intro course,
have always had an interest in topic due to family history
or personal experience, etc.).
-
Explain
briefly your main goals for the research experience and
possible future career plans. If you have had previous research
experience, describe briefly what you did and what techniques
you have mastered (such as PCR, Western blotting, etc).
-
Indicate what year you are in school and what relevant courses
you have taken. If you have done well in your classes, don't
hesitate to say so.
If you
do not get a response to your initial inquiry, send a polite
second message. Sometimes being persistent pays off because
it demonstrates a strong desire to get into a research project.
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to Independent Research page
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