Sorry I haven’t been posting again, these medical applications are a little more cumbersome than I expected. (However, they are coming along nicely. I’ve completed my American application and have started the Ontario one.)
 
If you are involved in research at all — a thesis, dissertation, big project of any variety — then this link will provide you will valuable tips regarding focusing, scheduling and finding more sources: Advice for Students: 10 Steps Toward Better Research
 
One of my favourite tips in this post was asking librarians for help. I’ve found that librarians are among the most highly-trained yet under-utilized staff on campus. Their research methods and tips will double the speed of your research and will also let you find hard-to-get sources.

This guide will give you many specific tips on how to secure a research position. Most of these tips are directly applicable to undergraduates looking for summer research positions and/or fourth-year research projects (theses). However, they may be applied to others looking for similar positions.
 
If you are looking for a summer position, it’s best to start earlier rather than later. Personally, I began this whole process around January (after the fall semester’s exams), but I’ve heard of people starting in October. (Just some perspective to keep in mind.)
 
Why?
 
Why do you want to work in a research facility? Do you have an interest in research or are you just looking to pad your résumé. I’m not saying that padding your résumé is inherently bad, but when you are talking to professors, they will ask about your intentions, and if you are lying, it may shine through. Be honest with yourself about why you want a research position. You may not pursue research in the future, but this job may be helpful for other reasons:

• You would like a familiarity with research methods.
• You are curious about research.
• You want more experience in a specific field.
• You want to work with a certain professor.

You will still be able to get a research position without thinking of why you want it, but understanding why will drive you forward during this whole process.

Here are the specifics on getting that research position…

Read the rest of this entry »

This summer is my first foray into research as I am working in the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University. I won’t deal with the technical aspects of the job right now, but I’ll give you a feel for what research is like. Keep in mind that this is only for my first month.

So what’s so good about research?

Cool tools
The undergraduate research experience will allow you some access to the basic laboratory tools. Pipettes and fumehoods are pretty cool, but because of safety and financial concerns it isn’t always possible to see the cool stuff. In my short time as a research assistant, I have been inside of an MRI machine and had my brain and spinal cord scanned; played with a machine that looked like an air hockey table on crack to study reaching tasks; and actively worked with an eye tracking device with a 500Hz refresh rate. That means it can take a picture of your eye 500 times per second; your monitor’s refresh rate is probably around 80Hz. Of course not all labs are this cool, but there will be novel tools where ever you go that most undergrads will not have access too.

Relaxed attitude
In my experience (the same is true for others), researchers seem to be pretty understanding with respect to your interests and when you come in. They still want you to get things done, but it can be on your own terms. As conservative as I am, I find that I work better with a more flexible schedule. It gives you the freedom to put out fires as they come up, but still get things done when you do your best work. Many people have a time of day that they can concentrate the most: I find mine is mid-day before lunch, so at 10 or 11AM I just go the library and read some journal articles. It’s quiet and I never get the third degree upon returning.

Passion for science
I am continually surprised by how excited scientists are about their work. To me science is very interesting, but I can’t imagine being enthralled while describing research. More and more though, it seems that a pure love of their work is what motivates researchers to strive forward. One of the greatest appeals of research to me is the sense of discovery. To elucidate an idea or structure that has never been seen before is incredible. Even the idea of discovering something incredibly small, but completely new, seems fascinating. If you are going to be doing something, you may as well have a passion for it. Enrich your life.

Actualizing knowledge
Ideas from a textbook can seem arcane and completely disconnected from the real world. Phenomena are described but not experienced. Yet upon diving into research, you gain a rich context for education. Textbook parts of the brain acquire real functions and properties; they become living, tangible pieces of the body. Not all knowledge is so easily materialized; in fact, you gain a richer context by finding that “scientific facts” are not as solidly founded as one might think. Scientific practices are frought with errors and critics. Assumptions underlying many principles may not be sound. Finding this out can be quite humbling. More importantly, all of this makes one question why and how we learn. It is nice to study hard and get good grades, but to what end?

Human element
Still on the idea of context, like many of life’s experiences, research stems from people. It is very easy to forget that there is a human context behind all scientific discovery. Dr. Peeyush Lala, Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario, recently spoke here at Queen’s University. He described how his education was deeply affected by India’s movement for independence from the British, and later his career choices were motivated by family considerations. (This is much like Dr. Jackie Duffin, whose interview has been partially uploaded.) What should you sacrifice to advance in this world? What should you tightly hold on to? On a smaller scale, there are the relationships that can be fostered directly in the workplace. A rich variety of people decide research is for them; not all are nasal pencil-pushing nerds. While all being quite smart, they range from loud and crass to quiet and meek (and all the fun in between).

Opportunity to learn
Not only will you gain a depth of knowledge, as research is deeply focused on niche topics, you will also gain an appreciation of the interplay between different faculties and researchers. While neuroscience may seem like a pretty focused field, collaboration occurs between researchers in biology, psychology, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, computer sciences and many others. Because of this breadth and depth in research, you are essentially forced to learn a lot about many topics. When you have a little knowledge in many areas, it will cultivate your interest in these topics when they arise again. You will be able to learn much faster and easier.

Use your brain!
Did you know that your brain uses 20% of the oxygen you breathe in and 75% of the blood sugar from the liver? This is a disproportionately large amount of resources. Our big heads — as compared to other primates — actually increase the risk of death during childbirth! (Yes, for both mother and child.) You should make the most of your brain! Personally, I love challenging myself mentally. Even going to the gym can be thought of as exercising your brain — self-discipline is using your mind to force your body push a little bit more. To be successful in research you must be able to use your brain, to be creative. Yet a solid foundation of knowledge can be the basis for creativity. You’re going to need that meat between your ears to get things going. Research is a wonderful way to use your brain, to prepare for more research or other endeavors.

Research! It’s the awesome. If this has enticed you, and you are curious how to secure a research position, you’ll have to wait until the next post…