How to Get Involved in Research:

1. Find a professor whose research really interests you. You can browse through the lists on our website or try talking to a professor that you're taking a class from. If you walk into any department office, the staff will be able to give you a lot of information on who is researching what and who is currently accepting students into their labs.

2. Approach your professor. Be familiar with his research and ask him specific questions. Show him that you know what he's researching. Whatever you do, DON'T say to a professor, "I need to do some research. What are you guys working on?" He will correctly assume that you are trying to use him to get into medical school. Be sincere. Remember, these guys have doctorates. They can smell an overzealous premed the instant they step into the hall.

3. Be persistent. Some professors will tell you that they aren't looking for students or that you aren't yet qualified to work in their lab. You have two choices: you can either give up and work in a lab that interests you less, or you can leave small potted plants at their offices and send them annonymous candy until they beg you to work for them. Show your professor that you are dedicated. Ask him when lab meetings are and attend them, every week. Talk to him at least once a week, just a note to say hello and remind him of your existence. Eventually, he will be impressed by your perseverance and allow you to wash his test tubes.

4. Once you're in the lab, work hard and be reliable. Most entry-level research assistants work for free or for course credit. Accept that. As you learn more and become more valuable, you may have the opportunity to get paid for your work.

Note: Do not think that you are restricted to on-campus research. Look for opportunities at other universities, research institutes abroad, etc. If you can't find any clear-cut opportunities, try getting in contact with people whose research interests you. Most researchers are very happy to have an extra research assistant around, especially a brilliant and hard-working one such as yourself.

For more help with finding ways to research, contact Sierra Debenham, Research Chair. sierrapearldebenham [at] gmail [dot] com