Lab Rules

Lab Rules/Expectations

My goal is to provide lab members with the training and opportunities they need to succeed in their chosen careers, whether in academia, industry, or other fields. Please read the following lab rules and expectations carefully.

 

Safety and Health


Collegiality

 

Travels


Work hours

 

Rules/Expectations for ALL lab members


Notebooks Expectations


1-on-1 meetings 


Guidance on lab meeting presentations

Remember, the goal is to clearly and effectively communicate your research in a way that engages the audience and sparks fruitful discussions.


Title: Craft a clear and concise title that encapsulates the essence of your research. It should attract audience interest and provide a quick snapshot of your study focus.

Introduction:

Existing Facts: Include pertinent background information about the disease, gene, technology etc under study. Highlight key findings from previous studies, but remain concise and focused.

Shortcomings: Identify gaps or limitations in the existing research and clarify why these gaps are significant.

Purpose or Hypothesis: Clearly state your research purpose or hypothesis, along with the rationale behind it.

Methods: Outline how you collected and analyzed your data. Specifically, provide details on the statistical methods used and explain why they were suited for your study.

Results: Present your findings as factual data, devoid of opinion or interpretation. Graphs, charts, and images are encouraged for clarity and visual appeal rather than tables. Remember the following when creating figures:

Label axes, treatments, and data sets clearly

Strive for simplicity, especially in figure titles

Understand which type of graph best represents your data

Use colours wisely to enhance understanding, not distract

Discussion: Here's where your interpretation comes into play. 

Provide a clear summary of your findings and discuss their significance. Include comparisons to findings from other studies and address any discrepancies.

Future Research: Outline your future research plans, including your goals and timelines. 

Explain why you think your proposed research direction is promising, and briefly discuss how you plan to achieve your research goals. 

Also, consider the practical implications of your research and its potential impact on the field.

Conclusion: Summarize the primary takeaways from your research, emphasizing the novelty and significance of your findings. 

Reiterate what your results mean within the broader scope of your field.


Preparing and delivering a good presentation is an art.

 Remember to practice and refine your talk. Keep it engaging, focused, and within the allotted time. 


Authorship

 General Guidelines for Authorship Contributions by NIH


Grants/Fellowships


Confidentiality

Confidentiality is of utmost importance in our lab. All lab members are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary information related to our work. This includes, but is not limited to, unpublished data, methodologies, research plans, and any intellectual property that has not been made public.

Any information that is obtained during your time in the lab should not be disclosed to individuals outside of the lab without prior approval from the PI.

Before discussing or presenting any data or research results externally, such as at conferences or meetings, always consult with the PI.

Please note that the obligation to maintain confidentiality continues even after you leave the lab. This is in accordance with the terms and conditions set out by the University of Alberta and other relevant research regulations.

Remember, maintaining confidentiality not only protects our lab's research but also respects the hard work and dedication of all lab members. It is integral to the success of our lab and the advancement of science.


Expectations for postdocs


Expectations for graduate students:


Last updated: 24 November, 2023