Pre-Health deCal Supplemental

Guide to Getting an Undergrad Research Position

Hi! Good to see that you're interested in research since it is definitely one of CAL's strength and it’s

definitely something nice to check out while you're in college (and especially if you're considering

research in your future / med school).

Finding research can be difficult. While URAP is definitely a convenient and streamlined way to find

research, it is always ends up way too competitive, a lot of people applying for very few spots (at most

two). A friend obtained the position through URAP, but he had to go through the process multiple times.

He actually doesn’t recommend it to anyone because of its competitive and impersonal nature.

If you're looking to find some research, I would suggest the following:

1) "Cold E-Mails" Send a formal e-mail directly to the PI, post-docs, professors or grad-students you want to work with. Be

sure to include:

A. An eye catching subject line:

[RESEARCH] Undergraduate RA Inquiry

Ex:

1. MHC Class II Contribution to Nociceptive Mechanism Undergraduate RA Inquiry

2. GPCR Pathway Study Undergraduate Research Inquiry

3. DifA Signaling Mechanism in M. xanthus Undergraduate RA Inquiry

or something on the lines of that so they immediately know what it is, and can find it in their all

too filled inboxes. Remember these PIs are busy and won’t have time to read their emails, make

sure your title includes keywords of what they’re studying in the lab. I have helped 4 of my

friends to get a research position, most success came from trying this method.

B. A brief statement of who you are (sophomore, junior, etc.) and any prior research exposure (if you

have none, be sure to mention that too and that you want to gain some).

C. A short snippet of why you're interested in their particular area of study. (Check their lab website, read

the abstracts of a few papers, use Wikipedia to search what you don’t know!)

- A small bit on how you can commit (your availability, etc.)

- Attachments: Resume, Unofficial transcript (unless you really don't want to show them)

Draft up this e-mail for a number of professors and send it to them. If you send enough, the idea is that

some will get back to you and you go from there. Just make sure the e-mail isn't excessively long-- most

professors tend to skim first.

2) Going Through the GSI

If you know a GSI well, or did well in a class, you can ask if the lab they work in is taking any undergrad

RAs. You can draft an e-mail like above, or talk to them in person. Just have some materials ready like a

resume and a rudimentary understanding of the kind of research that they do.

3) Directly Approaching the Professor

Setup an appointment to meet with them and express your interest in person. It definitely makes a

statement since your effort is much more visible. This method is a little bit intimidating though and

should be setup using e-mail (or office hours). E-mail is probably preferred if they have busy office hours.

Overall, finding research can take some time, but if you put the effort in, you can usually find a position.

Just make sure to not get discouraged if you're rejected or ignored by professors-- be persistent!

Pre-Health deCal Supplemental

Guide to Getting an Undergrad Research Position

Lastly, I would recommend checking out different departments (Public Health, PMB, IB, etc.) so you

don't limit yourself to only certain types of labs-- unless you're very pick about where you want to do

research! LBNL (Lawrence Berkeley Lab), CHORI (Children's Hospital of Oakland Research Institute),

and UCSF also have lab positions available which you can find on their websites-- but those will be very

similar to the URAP style of applying to research. I provided a list of website to check out, but go ahead

use google as your friend!

Suggestions:

1. Email every lab members, including the lab technician. Most PI have their own assistant and will

not have time to respond to your email unless they know you!

2. Make sure you come prepared for the interview. They typically will ask what you know about

their lab. Take this time to impress them by re-citing what you’ve learned from their recently

published papers. You can look at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed and type their last name.

I’m pretty sure you won’t understand completely. It’s fine. Just try to look it up on Wikipedia!

3. Be persistent! I’ve gone through several interviews prior getting accepted to a lab. It’s a good

practice! Just be honest about your interest and availability. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get

position at first.

4. Try self-study biochemistry techniques. Most frequent protocols: genotyping (PCR), making

stock solution (google dilution problems) and immunohistochemistry (ihcworld.com). You can

google / use Wikipedia. JoVE is a good journal for videos of protocols.

5. Make sure schedule as available as possible. Most post-docs and PIs would prefer having

someone who come consistently at least 8 hours per week (a day or split into 4 hours). Lab work

is very time consuming, if you’re looking into 4 hours per week, it’s not even worth their time to

train you!

6. Once you’re in the lab, make sure you write things down in your notebook! Keep track of

everything you do! Also, try to take initiatives!

7. Do admit mistakes! Human are not perfect, we make mistakes. They will understand that having

an undergrad is a risk in the lab, especially when you work with expensive chemicals. From my

own experience, I injected tarantula toxin worth $1200 per 10 microliter, into a wrong foot (right

instead of left). I only wasted 1 microliter though, that’s equal to $120.

8. Stay focused in lab! Do not use any social networking sites while in lab. Just go on PubMed.

9. Ask for help! We are here for you! Bring your resume / cover letter to class and we’ll give you

our honest feedback.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope your semester is off to a good start!

GO BEARS!

Best of luck,

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Pre-Health deCal Supplemental

Guide to Getting an Undergrad Research Position

A note regarding HHMI affiliated lab:

HHMI. http://www.hhmi.org/

Any HHMI affiliated lab usually receives abundance of grants and funding, usually the PI will have no

problem hiring you as a lab assistant. You may have to start as a volunteer for the first three months. At

UCSF, one of HHMI lab have 8 lab assistant (one assistant per post-doc). It’s like a feedforward cycle,

they gather data faster, publish more paper in a year and get more funding in general.

External Links:

1. CHORI: http://www.chori.org/Education/Volunteer/education_volunteer.html

2. URAP: http://research.berkeley.edu/urap/

3. UCSF: http://www.ucsf.edu/

4. http://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty-expertise

5. UCSF Gladstone Institute: http://www.gladstone.ucsf.edu/gladstone/site/gweb1/section/773

6. Berkeley’s MCB Departmental Guide:

http://mcb.berkeley.edu/undergrad/research/research/lab/#findinglab

7. Google! Most used keywords: research, directory, post-docs, undergraduate position, lab

internship.

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Guide to Getting an Undergrad Research Position

Sample Cover Letter

December 12, 2010

Dear Dr. Eric Kandell:

I am writing to express my interest in the position of Laboratory Assistant corresponding to the email I received from UC Berkeley’s MCB mailing list. This position appeals to my interest in contributing my knowledge to science in the future. I am currently in my junior year at UC Berkeley, where I’m majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with emphasis in Cell & Developmental Biology, focusing in Cell Biology. Your lab particularly caught my attention as it focuses on elucidating neurological mechanism of pain and its regulation by studying the pain behavior in mice. I am intrigued in learning more and hope to assist you in this project. The opportunity to get involved with your lab also appealed to me personally as I intend to pursue M.D./Ph.D route.

I am anxious to assist in original research of this type, as I believe it will complement my previous lab courses and allows me to gain research experience. My experience last Spring at my previous institution allowed me to work with Dr. Horlings, performing protein assays, bacterial culture inoculations, and setting up the plate and lab solutions. I learned valuable lab lessons through that course and the experience further solidified my interest in the area of medical research. I also have performed many organic and inorganic chemistry in the classrooms involving TLC plates, NMR/IR/GS-Spectrophotometer, distillations, etc. In addition, I have excelled in a year of General Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics, with a cumulative Science GPA of X.X.

In addition to the skills developed in my research experiences, I also strengthened my oral and written communication and organizational skills through two part-time jobs in Irvine, CA. My Advertisement Coordinator and Office Assistant experiences have required me to successfully multi-task, work under pressure, prioritize, and solve logistical or organizational problems. These skills will be valuable in the Research Assistant role, enabling me to perform laboratory duties and establish honest and positive communication with the lab members. I look forward to relating with patients by assisting in your lab while effectively helping them benefit from the center’s medical care services.

I have included my resume for your review. As for my availability, I can start as soon as necessary. As for this semester, I can dedicate up to 15 hours per week. I am available after class on Mondays 2-8pm, Tuesdays 1-6pm, Friday 2-8pm, and Saturday/Sundays anytime. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about my candidacy in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Jordan Nguist

UC Berkeley, Class of 2015 B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology

949.348.9340

Pre-Health deCal Supplemental

Guide to Getting an Undergrad Research Position

Sample Resume