Mentors

[justinbryant]

Hello,

I've begun to become interested in healthcare more recently, and it's the second semester of 9th grade and I'm hoping to find a mentor over the summer so I could help out at some lab. I already looked through this article (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml), but I still have some questions. What's the best form of communication to try to reach a professor (i.e. phone or email)? because in an email, you can explain a lot more about your interest while a calling might have a higher chance of a reply. Also, when do most students meet with professors? Like I know most of them meet over the summer, but what about during the school year when you may be busy on weekdays and I'm not sure if professors work on weekends. I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

[donnahardy2]

Hi,

Welcome to Science Buddies!

It’s good that you are planning ahead. I would recommend e-mailing first to give the professor a chance to respond. You should do some background research and try to personalize each request. Do plan to send multiple inquiries as it is likely that many professors will not respond to your inquiry. It would probably be best to try to contact someone before summer, as many professors may not be in the lab over the summer. Professors do work on week-ends.

Do you have a specific project in mind?

Please post again in this topic if you have more questions.

Donna Hardy

[justinbryant]

Thanks for your reply. As in subject areas, I haven't really decided yet, but I'm more interested in ophtalmology, primarily research based on the cornea and myopia, and neurology, specifically research for neurodegenerative diseases, and research for neurotoxins and hemotoxins (interested in snake venom). I already read the article and I'm probably going to email a unique email to everyone and hopefully around 75-100 emails. I live near Atlanta so Emory is 40 min away, but I'm not sure if I should email everyone in the research department (Basic Eye Research) I'm interested in or will that lessen my chances of getting a mentor? Because I need to email a lot of professors, I'm not sure how much detail I need to look into the professor (do I look at previous publications the prof collaborated on?) or can I get a basic idea of what the professor is researching (e.g., Dopamine receptors cloned from human and monkey RPE cells). Again, thanks for helping me out and sorry for all the questions.

[donnahardy2]

Hi,

Since you have a general area of interest, why don’t you search on the Emory website and find a professor who is doing research in something that sounds interesting to you? Then you can write an e-mail and and state your interest in the specific topic. You can check to see if the professor is actively doing research and has grant money available to support you. Think about what contribution you could make to the lab and explain why you are qualified to do the research project. It will take more time with this approach, and you won’t be e-mailing everyone, but I think you should be successful.

Do you know anyone who is doing research in this area? A personal reference would be very helpful.

Donna Hardy

[justinbryant]

Hello,

Thanks for all your help. In the most recent reply, you talked about how it's necessary to write how would I contribute to the laboratory, but I'm not sure what to say. What do most students do when they go to a lab to work? I've heard some people say that you first do paperwork and run errands for the professor, but I'm not sure what to say that will appeal the greatest to the professor.

[donnahardy2]

Hi Justin,

When applying for any laboratory position, the following information could help secure a position:

1. Experience: You are in 9th grade and have no actual laboratory experience, but you could mention any success in science fair competition, special projects in science class, or related activities.

2. Goals: Clearly state your goals for your request. You are interested in doing a science fair project for 2014, and you want to get started early. Explain why you are interested in ophthalmology.

3. Special aptitudes: Do you learn quickly? Are you a hard worker? Do you have a positive attitude and get along with others well? Do you have initiative in starting projects? Mention some trait that you have that would be an asset in a laboratory environment.

4. Make sure you say that you want to volunteer so you will not imply that you are looking for a paid position.

Instead of asking for a position ask for an opportunity to meet the researcher in person in order to ask questions about their research. That would give the investigator an opportunity to meet you, and an opportunity for you to mention that you are looking for laboratory experience.

You should plan to send messages to more than one researcher. While you are waiting for replies, continue to do more background reading in your topic.

Good luck!


Donna Hardy

[deleted-71948]

Hi Justin,

Donna has already given you some excellent advice on finding the right mentor.

In addition to her suggestions, I would recommend you to look at research internship opportunities.
You should check out the summer program at the National Institutes of Health found at https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip.

Good luck!

-Grace