Presentation Transcript

1. Getting Into Research Workshop

2. Finding Research Opportunities Talking to professors and graduate students at seminars and research fairs. 2. Emailing professors. 3. Biomedical Research Minor
3. Attending Seminars Hear about them through departmental emails and flyers around campus Go to seminars that seem interesting to you Get exposed to different types of research Network with the professors and people who attend, because they have similar interests Grad students, post-docs, etc.
4. How do I find research labs? ISPE’s Research Networking Fair on Friday, May 2nd from 2-4pm in the CNSI Lobby Features graduate students in UCLA research labs who are looking for people to join their projects Research the labs beforehand so you can impress the graduate students when you talk to them face to face A list of the represented labs will be emailed out If a graduate student thinks you're qualified enough, they will invite you to email them or the PI with an application/resume/CV which can get you into their lab
5. Registering for Student Research Program (SRP) 99 Contract Courses
6. Requirements/Deadlines for SRP 99 1 unit = 3-5 hrs/week; 2 units = 6+ hrs/week 10 units max, only 6 count towards graduating If you're doing research in engineering, medicine, life sciences, or physical sciences, you MUST take the Lab Safety Fundamental Concepts class through EH&S and submit your proof of completion with your 99 contract
7. Requirements/Deadlines for SRP 99 Submit your contract to the Undergraduate Research Center (2121 LSB) by 5 pm on the Friday of 2nd week Contract MUST have faculty advisor's signature Attach copy of certificate of completion for Lab Safety Courses Can only enroll in SRP 99 for one summer session (same deadline) If you haven’t already found a faculty mentor List of positions currently available: http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/srppositions.htm
8. 99 vs. 199 99 is P/NP grading; 199 is letter grading 99 is for lower division standing; 199 is for upper division standing 199 is departmental, so you'll have to consult your departmental office or faculty advisor for specific details on the requirements More work, so more units (varies) as well as the possibility of having to take extra lab safety classes
9. Engineering 199 Deadline to submit contract is Tuesday of 2nd week to Boelter 6426 Need faculty advisor AND Department Chair/Vice Chair signature Can submit a petition for it to count for a major field elective (specifics vary depending on department)
10. Emailing Professors
11. Sample Email Dear Dr. Professor Pants, My name is So And-so, a third year UCLA undergraduate majoring in Biomolecular Engineering with a year of laboratory experience. I am writing to express interest in performing research in your laboratory beginning winter quarter 2013. Personalize: I was recently fascinated by a review article on the impact of bone tissue engineering in the field of regenerative medicine. Then, I came across a few articles about your laboratory’s work utilizing adipose tissue as a source for stem cells. I find your laboratory’s route to improving bone and cartilage reconstruction especially interesting due to its diversity and efficacy in clinical applications. I have a lot to learn about tissue engineering, but I can see myself being very passionate about this type of work, and certainly exploring the field in graduate school. I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to meet with you, discuss projects in your laboratory, and how I can become involved. I am available to meet for an interview during the month of December and the first two weeks of January. I have attached my curriculum vitae for your review. I am looking forward to your reply. Sincerely,
12. Tips on the Personal Section Be humble and show curiosity. Don't use the word "interest" more than once. Be very brief or it won't even be considered or read. Read abstracts from recent publications. Read many abstracts and 1 to 2 articles before interview. Show them you know a little bit about them and about the field in general. Effort = lab position Mass email/form letter = no replies
13. CV vs. Resume CV typically contains your coursework and everything you've ever done: research, jobs, clubs, honors, awards, and volunteering. Multiple pages Resume has primarily your past work/volunteer experience in the field and your education (classes). Almost never over 1 page
14. Professors want a CV, not your life story. Use an abridged CV to highlight what prepares you for this position What to include: Coursework: O-chem, physics, math, biology Research: publications, past experience, including programs Skills: software, languages (including computer), experience with lab techniques (exp. PCR, IHC, even titration or pH
15. What to Include in your "CV" Engineering faculty want to know you've finished math, or chemistry/physics Biological science faculty want to know if you've finished life sciences and chemistry Even 23L,14BL and 20L practice lab skills Include those skills! Summer programs, internships, awards, RELEVANT CLUBS (ISPE)
16. What NOT to include Clubs that aren't relevant to that professor: Meat club, fraternity/sorority, sports, cultural, tutoring, non-science/non-medical volunteering, Your high school GPA, AP scores, SAT scores, and extracurriculars If you are a fall quarter freshman, keep it minimal Your GE's, language classes Fast food/ mall jobs (anything non-science)
17. Readability and Format are Important LOTS of space: in between lines and sectionsNOT MORE THAN 1 PAGE Only include essentials, so you do have space. Brief descriptions, maybe longer for past research Straightforward font, bolding headers; GUIDE YOUR READER Important/exciting things on top of page and first in each section
18. Example Resume ("CV") and CV
19. Biomedical Research Minor
20. What is it? A program designed to introduce passionate students to research labs on campus. A faculty member from the minor will meet with you to pinpoint labs on campus that interest you. They will recommend you to the PI of that lab, helping secure an interview.
21. Biomedical Research 5HA Two seminars given by PIs on campus about their cutting-edge research. Cancer, stem cells, infectious diseases, and basic cell and molecular biology. Break-down sessions that dissect the research presented for five weeks after each seminar. Hypotheses, experiments, and results of the research Common techniques such as immunostaining, blotting, spectroscopy, and microscopy will be explained in detail. Great way to obtain exposure to techniques used commonly in all labs. Good for future lab work as well as any applications to companies.
22. Application Process Only available to students enrolled in BR 5HA, LS 10H, or Honors Collegium 7A. LS 10H: Research Training in Genes, Genetics and Genomics HC 7A: Genetic Engineering in Medicine, Agriculture and Law 500 Word Statement Why you are interested in research Areas that interest you How getting into research will help your career goals Deadline: Friday, Week 7
23. Tips 50% acceptance rate Remember, you are being judged on your personal statement, so make sure to convey your passion for research clearly and well. Participate in class! BR 5HA is seminar class, so it encourages participation and questions from students.
24. Requirements BR 5HB: Biomedical Research: Essential Skills and Concepts 4 Quarters of 198/199 Research, Science Poster Day Presentation LS 193H: Journal Club Seminar, LS 194H: Research Presentations Seminar MCDB 60: Biomedical Ethics Upper Division Course in History of Science/Philosophy of Science History 179B. History of Medicine: Foundations of Modern Medicine. Neurobiology M169. History of Neurosciences. Philosophy 132. Philosophy of Biology. Others listed online: https://www.biomedresearchminor.ucla.edu/requirements.php To see if a course will count towards this requirement, email Noreen Balos (nbalos@ucla.edu).
25. For Engineers You will be recommended for labs only in the College of Letters and Sciences. MCDB 60 may be substituted with an engineering ethics course, with petition. At least 2 quarters of the 4 quarters of 199 research must be for Biomedical Research 199. The other two can be departmental engineering 199 courses, with petition.
26. Thanks for coming!