Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research
It is a good idea to get involved in research early in your Emory career. If you are a first-year student, give yourself some time to adjust to college life before committing to a research project. Other students may want to start as early as the first or second week of school.
Finding the right research project
The sooner you embark on your search, the better. In many disciplines, you can start research before taking advanced coursework. In some cases, professors require a particular lab or a course, but many do not and welcome younger students because they offer the advantage of becoming a regular member of the lab over several consecutive years.
How do you find interesting research projects? First, try searching on departmental and faculty websites to get a sense of what’s available in different areas. Once you have identified three to four possible mentors, you should do some research into their work by visiting PubMed and searching for their publications. You may not understand the exact details, but if you look at the discussion section of their most recent papers, you will get a good idea of what their research interests. Once you have identified a few researchers, you should make an appointment to speak with them.
Next, you should contact the Director of Undergraduate Research (DUR) in the departments you are considering. It is a good idea to talk to the DURs in a couple of departments – biology, chemistry, math, physics, etc. They can advise you on many critical issues such as availability, lab space funding, the mechanics of doing research and information related to registration and academic credit.
Before you meet with researchers, be prepared. Read about their background and work on their faculty websites. Arrive on time. Be ready to discuss your background, labs taken, previous experience, GPA, etc. When asked about your goals and ambitions, be frank and honest. Try to evaluate your ability to work with this individual as your future advisor. Ask about possible projects. What will you be working on? Will you be assisting? Will you be able to make meaningful contributions to the research or will you just be washing dishes? Who will you be working with in the lab?
Don’t lose heart if the first couple of professors cannot accommodate you. Some professors have already made commitments to other students, or are planning to be on sabbatical, or will be away for the summer. Others may be uncertain about their future research plans. Don’t take a negative response personally! Just keep trying.
When you do accept a position in a lab, make sure the decision is based on your goals, interests and availability. This doesn’t have to be your life’s work, but keep in mind you have made a serious commitment. Be professional, enthusiastic and give it your best.
Getting started on the research project
Early on in your working relationship with your new research advisor you should initiate a conversation where you discuss expectations and working agreements. A few questions that should be addressed are:
- How frequently will you meet face to face?
- How closely will you work with a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow in addition to the faculty member?
- What blocks of time (hours of the day or hours per week, consecutive weeks or quarters) will you work?
- How will you be trained?
- Will you attend lab or research group meetings, and, if so, will you need to prepare something for them?
- Will you work in the lab or research area, or is there work you may take home to complete?
- What kind of final product will you produce?
Be the active, responsible party in initiating and organizing one-on-one communication with your adviser. Set meeting agendas and prioritize issues you want to discuss. Work with your adviser to set short- and long-term goals and deadlines for the different stages of your project. Consider sending summaries of meetings (agreements, assignments, work outlines), restating tasks and the division of labor. Always express your thanks after the faculty member has taken the time to meet with you. Send a thank you note or an e-mail describing what you gained from the interaction and how you will move ahead with your plans.
You should also learn your research adviser’s communication preferences: when does e-mail suffice, when should you meet face-to-face, and when, if ever, should you call her or him at home?
Always read books or articles your faculty member recommends and share your responses. By taking their suggestions seriously, you acknowledge that their time with you is well spent. At the same time, express your curiosity and share your knowledge. The more you do so, the more seriously your work and aspirations will be regarded.
Remember to be a part of the group and a good team player. You will learn plenty by talking with others in the lab and watching how they interact with the professor and communicate during group meetings. You can pick up valuable cues by observing how they negotiate shared equipment, space and other resources.
Research for Credit
At Emory, you can do research and earn academic credit for it during the academic year. In some cases this can count as an elective for your major (Chem 499, Bio 498, Physics 499), although student grants (see below) cannot be applied to credit-earning research.
Funding
The good news is that there is a lot of funding in the sciences – as long as you are organized in looking for it. Dean Joanne Brzinski runs the College Undergraduate Research Program, which provides funding for diverse student needs. Dean Preetha Ram runs programs specifically for science students. Make an appointment to see one or both these people at the beginning of your quest. They can provide information about other funding opportunities on campus such as SIRE, the undergraduate science research program; SURE, the summer undergraduate research program; the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience; Center for International Programs Abroad; and off-campus opportunities such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), internships, scholarships, etc.
Volunteering
Remember, funding situations can change with time. So it might be worthwhile to spend some time volunteering at the lab without pay. Your advisor may be able to obtain funding through grant supplements, etc. You may also decide to volunteer if you are unsure about the lab, the project, or the time commitment. In some cases you can sign up for a trial lab research course (for example, Chem 399), where you can spend one afternoon a week in a lab, shadowing a graduate student and assisting. This lets you try it on a trial basis but receive credit for the experience. If you decide to work as a volunteer first, you should be sure that you commit to only the amount of hours that you are able to do. Many students make the mistake of volunteering for too many hours and then get busy and drop out. As you begin to establish a professional reputation, it is much better to be conservative about what you can do--and then work extra if you choose to.
Honors Program
One final note: If you have a 3.5 GPA and are a junior, you may want to apply for the Honors Program. This is a more intensive research experience that involves writing a thesis and presenting your work to a faculty committee of your choosing. You will also be required to take a graduate-level course. The program leads to graduation with honors and is run separately by each department.
Departmental Contacts
| Department | Director of Undergraduate Research | |
| Biology | Rachelle Spell | rachelle.spell@emory.edu |
| Chemistry | Jose Soria | jose.soria@emory.edu |
| NBB | Keith Easterling | keith.easterling@emory.edu |
| Physics | Eric Weeks | eric.weeks@emory.edu |
| Math/CS | Vicki Powers | vicki@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Anthropology | Sally Gouzoules | sgouzou@emory.edu |
| Psychology | Barbara Strock | bstrock@emory.edu |
You can talk to any faculty member about undergraduate research projects. However, many departments have a dedicated person who oversees the undergraduate research program. You should first contact them with your questions. In fact, two of them, Dr. Soria in Chemistry and Dr. Spell in Biology have contributed to the advice in this page.
Contact Us
Dean Preetha Ram
Office for Undergraduate Education
215 White Hall
404-727-6040, pram@emory.edu
Other Links
- National Science Foundation: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute science opportunities