Interested in Neuroscience or Pre-med research?

Our very own Kelly Voltz is a third-year Neuroscience major who is pre-med. She provides some great advice about how to get in contact with a professor/get involved in research at the University for pre-medders or neuroscience majors. Here is her advice! For more information, contact alphaphi.blog@gmail.com or get in contact with kelly!

So the best ways to get involved in research is to go on the chemistry, biology, psychology or undergraduate neuroscience websites. They have a list of all the labs here. I would suggest looking them over (yes, it takes awhile) and try and find atleast 10 labs that spark your interest. (Note: Do some research on the PI that is in charge of that lab. For example, PIs that have papers published in Nature or Science are very successful and are good candidates.) If you are an intended Neuroscience major you will have to pick a lab where the PI is part of the Neuroscience program, so you should look on the uva undergrad neuroscience website.

After you've found what labs you're interested in, email the PIs. Besides telling them you're interested in a lab, you want to tell them any previous lab experience you've had. Mostly this goes for if you've worked in a research lab before (i.e. I have been trained in perfusion and immunohistochemistry. I have also had exposure to a confocal microscope.) If you haven't been able to get your foot in the door, then tell the what labs you've taken as classes (chem, bio, orgo, etc.) and tell them that you're interested in their research. Put in the time to skim one of thier papers or check out their lab website so you can be specific in your email.

Most PIs won't respond, that's just how they are and don't have time. But several will and you can go in and meet with them. During the meeting the PI will tell you all about the lab and introduce you to others who work there. Try and get a feel for what the PI is like and how well supported his lab is. The more people working there (PhDs and grad students) the better. Also you want to get a good vibe from your PI, will they support your research? Will they be helpful in lab or give you a PhD to be your liaison? If you don't like the PI, don't join the lab. Some PIs are brilliant but really awkward/ are too into what they're doing to care about the undergrads and you want support in your lab.

Thanks Kelly!
Have more questions? Ok overacheivers, keep sending them!