People

Undergraduate research can be a transformative experience. However, the quality and productivity of this experience is affected by several factors. Please consider the list below, as these are the main points I talk about when meeting with potential research students. 

 I: Begin early

Research laboratories are very different than what you experience in the classroom. Depending upon the lab you join, it could take several months before you are able to independently perform the major techniques used in the lab. Thus, if you would like to write an honors thesis, present at Scholarship Sewanee, or publish your research, you'll need several semesters - and likely one summer - to gain the technical experience, scientific background, and data to achieve your goals. 

II: Commit 

Research is a slow process that requires commitment, drive, and resilience. Your experience as an undergraduate researcher can provide graduate or professional school search committees and prospective employers direct evidence of your capacity to commit to and complete a long-term goal. As such, minimize switching between projects and laboratories. 

III: Prioritize 

Is completing a research project, presenting your data, or co-authoring a paper one of your main goals? If so, you'll need to demonstrate this by how you schedule your time. Though lab- and project-dependent, a minimum of 6-10 hours per week is typically necessary for high-quality and productive research experiences.

IV: Own it 

As the researcher, you have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the success of your project. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to demonstrate your independence! To be successful, you'll need to keep up with the primary literature related to your project, plan your week/semester efficiently, design properly controlled experiments, and collect data carefully and accurately. As your research mentor, I will be there to guide you through this process.

Whats the next step?

Professors often have multiple students approach them about research. We deeply value working with students, but have limited resources and time. Therefore, I encourage you to reach out to professors you may want to work with (especially me), but make sure in your email you include a few sentences telling the professor why you want to perform research with them and what most interests you about their research.