Finding a faculty mentor
The Office of Undergraduate Research often meets students who are interested in doing research but don’t know where to begin. The first step in creating a research proposal is finding a faculty mentor to oversee your project. While this may seem a little intimidating, remember that professors consider your academic and professional development critical to your undergraduate experience. You will find that most professors are easy to approach and are often excited to see you take an active interest in your field of study.
Former grant recipient Mary Jacob (pictured) was mentored by Assistant Professor Mary Pflum in chemistry. Now a student at the WSU School of Medicine, Jacob explored research opportunities at the end of her freshman year after completing Honors chemistry 1410.
“I went on the chemistry Web site and there were profiles of all the faculty members and I knew I was interested in organic chemistry, so I e-mailed a few professors and I went in and talked to them and I decided on Professor Pflum,” Jacob says.
After working in Pflum’s lab for free for two years, Jacob received a research grant, which she credits with helping her decide to apply to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, which was her first conference. She developed a strong camaraderie with other researchers, and the guidance she received from Pflum and faculty who provided her with letters of recommendation were invaluable in preparing for medical school.
“Undergraduate research was an enlightening opportunity because it lets undergraduate students feel like real researchers, writing grant proposals for funding,” she says. “That really put research in a real life perspective and gave me a small taste of doing research for a living.”
There are several different avenues you can take to finding a faculty mentor:
Find a professor who fits your proposed research: Approach a professor who specializes in your specific area of research who can help form your idea into a workable project. If unable to work with you, the professor may direct you to another faculty member who could oversee your project.
Work with a professor you like: If you don’t have specific ideas for a research proposal but know you want to do research, approach a professor with whom you’ve had a positive experience. Perhaps you’ve had the professor for a class or worked with him or her on a project. Students and professors typically find a common interest and develop a proposal or create a project that is an extension of research they have done in class.
Work within your lab: Students who have a lab position usually work on projects with the lead faculty member in of the lab. These projects often coincide with the laboratory’s overall research, with students receiving a specific assignment that involves a much greater level of sophistication than normal lab duties. Undergraduate research grants are not to be used as supplemental pay for a student’s regular lab responsibilities.