Need Help Finding Mentor

[reesabp]

Thanks for the response—

I started drafting an email to the primary investigator who wrote that article.... here is what I have.

Hello Dr. Redmond,

I am Reese (lastname), a sophomore at (school). I was wondering if it would be possible to talk to you about your recent publication on the dual therapy of anti-OX40 and IL-2 to proliferate CD8 cells.

Also, last year I volunteered at Dr. (oldmentor)’s Lab at the Department of Molecular Biochemistry at OHSU. I did a project around the computational design of an inhibiting intramolecular chaperone to the Furin protease. We introduced (in silico) a new binding interface between the the intramolecular chaperone and the protease. We were able to design an inhibitor with a greater binding affinity than the wild type. I took this project to the state science fair and was ranked 7 out of 250. I almost made it to the International Science and Engineering Fair, but was off by 2 places. This year, I really want to work towards going to the International level this year. I plan on working harder and longer to get there.

I am really interested in your research, and would like to talk to you about the possibility of volunteering in your lab this year. Could we set up a time to talk about your research and the possibility of volunteering your lab?

Thank you for your time,
Reese (lastname)
email
home phone


In addition, I have created a google docs page with this as well: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRD ... vyxhY/edit

Also, what should I put as the subject of the email.

What do you think about the email?

Thanks,
Reese

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

Great! This is a very good introduction to the prospective research lab and a statement of your objective. I have just a couple of suggestions:

In the first paragraph change “proliferate,” to “stimulate.”

At the end of the first paragraph, add a sentence to explain why you are interested in cancer research and what information you are looking for in the meeting. . For example, you might say something like:

“I am very interested in learning more about your innovative research on potential new therapies for cancer research by altering the immune response.” You can restate this in your own words.

After the sentence that ends in “wild type,” start a new paragraph and alter the wording about your objective to make it very positive. For example,

“I entered this project in the state science fair last year and was ranked 7 out of 250. I learned a lot in doing the project last year, and I would like to do a project this year that would qualify for the International Science and Engineering Fair. I realize that it will take a lot of work to achieve this goal, but I am committed to putting in the effort to do this.”

Your last paragraph is perfect.

Did you learn any specific laboratory techniques last year? You might add a sentence or two about what you could contribute to the laboratory. Having a high school student might seem like a burden to the others working in the lab because they will have to show you how to do everything, but if there is something specific that you think you can contribute, you could mention it. However, your can omit this, if you want because your message is long enough now, and you do want the recipient to read it.

Have you found other research labs at OHSU that are doing projects that you are interested in? If so, then look up their research papers and make your inquiry specific to the lab. Most researchers are more than willing to talk about their projects to anyone who is interested.

Donna Hardy

[reesabp]

Here's my new email to send to this researcher!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRD ... vyxhY/edit

What do you think?

Also: What should I change for an email that I send to another person that is working in the same lab (Aka: a graduate student that might be working under the primary investigator)? Should I note that I emailed the primary investigator?

Thanks
Reese

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

Very good! I like this. I think it would be hard to ignore this message.

Go ahead and send this one and start on the next one using the same format. It will be easier with the next one.

Donna

[reesabp]

I haven't gotten a reply back from the investigator (((

I think I will call him. Is there anything I should know or read before I do so?

Thanks,
Reese

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

I can't think of anything specific. You've already done the background research on this lab. You can call the general lab number and talk to anyone to explain your objective and to ask for a meeting. If you get anything other than a positive response, ask for a referral to another lab. Good luck!

Also, look for other labs doing similar research that you can contact. There are many researchers at OSHU, and you may need to contact several labs before you can identify an opportunity that will be suitable for you.

Donna

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

How are you doing? Have you had any responses yet from prospective mentors?

Donna

[reesabp]

Hi,

Sorry I have not replied recently.

Okay, I found two other possible people:

http://www.pdx.edu/biology/dr-jeffrey-singer
http://www.pdx.edu/biology/research-bartlett-lab


I was wondering if you could help point me to some of their publications that I should read and/or what types of things I should say in an email to these people.

Here was the last email that I sent out. Maybe I could change some of this and replace it with the respective information for each of the above mentors...:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRD ... vyxhY/edit

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

These are very good prospects for your area of interest!

Dr. Singer is doing research on a particular protein called Cul3 to determine its metabolic function. He is proposing that Cul3 acts as a tumor suppressor. He has included a brief description of his research in the first paragraph, which you should read and understand as much as possible. Dr. Singer's publications are listed at the bottom of the page in the link you sent.

Dr. Singer is trying to find out what other proteins bind to Cul3 and analyzing results by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and he also uses size exclusion chromatography to analyze complexed proteins. You can read about these techniques to understand what types of experiments are being done in this lab:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-dimens ... rophoresis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gel_Chromatography

Dr, Bartlett is doing molecular biology research involving the transcription of DNA to RNA and this is more closely related to your project from last year. He is doing basic research to understand the factors that control DNA transcription using a specific microorganism, Pyrococcus furiosus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcription_(genetics)

Here's a link to Dr. Bartlett's publications.

http://www.pdx.edu/biology/testpage

I definitely think you should write to both of these researchers with your request for an opportunity to volunteer in their labs.. Use your last inquiry as a template, but change the specific information


Donna Hardy

[reesabp]

Mrs. Hardy,

I so appreciate the time you have given me. Your help has been so insightful and quick!

Here is what I have for 2 emails:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRD ... vyxhY/edit

Let me know what you think!

Reese

[reesabp]

Also, what should I put in the subject heading of the emails?

Thanks again,
Reese

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

These are very good introductory e-mails. For a title, I would try something like. . .

For Dr. Singer: Question about tumor suppression for Cul3

For Dr. Bartlett: Question on transcription of P. furiosus

If possible, set up the message for a "return receipt," and resend the message if it is not opened. If you send it a second time, try something different like. "I am interested in volunteering in your lab."

Dr. Singer and Dr. Bartlett are going to be the busiest people in these labs, and many researchers are focused on finishing applications for grant proposals right now. This means that they will ignore everything else temporarily. So you should also try calling the laboratory number and talk to anyone who answers the phone. You could explain that you are very interested in the research in the lab and inquire about any volunteer opportunities. If you receive a negative response, ask for a referral to someone else.

Good luck!


Donna

[reesabp]

Hi!

I got a positive response from Dr. Singer today. He said that he wanted to know more about my background and suggested that we talk later this week.

What should I be doing to "prepare" for this interview??

Thanks,
Reese.

[donnahardy2]

Hi Reese,

This is great news!. I'm so glad you got a response.

Go back and read Dr. Singer's description of the research in his lab and try to understand it as much as possible.

http://www.pdx.edu/biology/dr-jeffrey-singer

Then check out each reference in the bibliography and try to understand what happened in the paper. The abstract of most recent reference, from 2011 is shown below and it reports the discovery of the binding of the cullins to different receptor proteins called Kainate receptors (KAR); these receptors have been associated with epilepsy, stroke, and Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the entire paper, but it looks very interesting.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21713671

Go through the process with some of the other papers.

Next, do an internet search on 2-d electrophoresis and learn a little about what is involved in doing this technique. If you got a position in this lab, you would probably be doing something related to electrophoresis.

Write a list of 5-10 questions that you can use to learn more about the research being done in the lab and to find out if there might be an opportunity for you. Be sure and plan to mention any skills or talents you have that would benefit the lab; be prepared to describe the contribution you made last year in Dr. Shinde's lab.

What questions do you think you can ask? What can you contribute to the lab?

Donna

[reesabp]

Hi Mrs. Hardy,

I don't exactly know what to say for what I can offer the lab. After all, I am only a sophomore! I do not really have lab experience because my mentor last year was working on computational biology !

What should I say!

(As you might be able to tell I am nervous about this interview!)

Reese