Learning to communicate my purpose, project, and results effectively

Having experiences with professional presentations and making figures to clearly convey my data

Communicating new ideas effectively between collaborators

Explaining my research and results to people who are not in neuroscience and may not understand without further explanation

Leading my own project and being the only person responsible for conducting the research (along with my mentor)

Becoming the most senior member of the lab as a sophomore and taking on that leadership role at an early stage in my education 

As the most senior member of the lab, demonstrating laboratory techniques to new members who were often older than me

Learning lots of new information very quickly, especially as a freshman coming into research

Figuring out new methods when what I am doing isn't working

Understanding what the results mean in the context of my project

Of course, with any research, finding and interpreting novel information in my field

Understanding ethics and responsible conduct in research 

Respecting the organism I am working with

Attending at conferences and professional settings

Experience at professional presentations and public speaking

Collaborating with my PI and other members of the lab

Communicating methods and projects with other labs conducting research in different areas

Asking questions and critiquing projects of other lab members as well as taking criticism on my own project in order to improve