How do I get into a research lab…
Hello Scholars!
As promised, here’s the rundown on how to get into a research lab. This blog would be useful for people who would like to defend and honors thesis and for those wanting research experience.
While research labs and research experience are a great look for the good ol’ resume, you must not forget that the ultimate goal of research is to obtain an enriched, hands-on learning experience for something that YOU are passionate about. Whether you have that gets-your-blood-flowing topic or if you’re completely open to suggestions, checking out the CU Boulder research labs website is a great start for getting involved in research. Each department has a “Research” tab that attaches various research experiences.
- Look over the research labs on campus and spot a lab that catches your eye.
- Biochemistry: BCHM Undergraduate Research Labs & Desired Qualifications | Biochemistry | University of Colorado Boulder
- Chemistry MEMORANDUM (colorado.edu)
- Evolutionary Biology: Research Areas in EBIO | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | University of Colorado Boulder
- Integrative Physiology: Research | Integrative Physiology | University of Colorado Boulder
- MCDB: Research Labs | Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology | University of Colorado Boulder
- Physics: Undergraduate Research Opportunities | Physics | University of Colorado Boulder
- Psychology and Neuroscience: Faculty Research Labs | Psychology and Neuroscience | University of Colorado Boulder
Once you’ve spotted a lab that picks your brains, do some research! Find out who’s running the lab: the name of the head professor, the principal investigator or simply other faculty involved in the lab.
2. Identify lab faculty.
Shoot the principal investigator or the professor in charge of the lab an email. The trick here is that this email is going to leave the very first impression about you. Show your personality, demonstrate your passion and make reading it worthwhile! To do this, read some of the published work of the labs and provide your personal insight on them. This will show your genuine interest and paint you as the scholar you truly are!
3. Read published work for that lab and send an email to the lead faculty, demonstrating your knowledge.
Now that you’ve sent the email and are waiting patiently for a reply, do NOT be discouraged if you do not get one. If you have not received a reply in one week, send a follow up email. Persistence is key. In this follow up email write a few sentences on how you’re awaiting a reply and reemphasize your passion for the lab’s topic.
4. Do not be discouraged if you don’t hear back. Instead, send a follow-up email.
If you do not receive an email within a week, show up! Show up to the faculty’s office, introduce yourself and reiterate on how much you’d like to join the lab. This is going to be the faculty’s first in-person interaction with you. Make. It. Memorable. Show them why you’d make a great addition to their lab. This can be done by making a personal connection. Why is being a part of this lab important to you? Personal connections allow humans to empathize and relate to one another, hence the importance of this.
5. Show up, introduce yourself and ask to be involved.
Although this is a 5-step process, it is a lengthy and time-consuming process. And it might not always work out as you’d hoped in the end, but do not give up! CU has such a vast variety of research labs that you are bound to get in one if you don’t stop trying. With that being said, if a fellow scholar would like to share their experience with research, please reach out to the HonorsScholars@colorado.edu with your experience!