PMB: Joining a lab for the Dissertation Research

The single most important decision made by a graduate student is the selection of a dissertation advisor and laboratory. The best way to assess a laboratory and one’s “fit” to it is to carry out a research rotation in that laboratory. Students should talk to the current members of the laboratory: Are they happy and productive? What is the experience of the faculty member in having students successfully complete a dissertation? A student should consider whether he/she wants a big lab with lots of activity or a smaller lab with more day-to-day contact with the advisor. Some students prefer a lab with a high-profile director and potentially more visibility, whereas others thrive with a more junior faculty member who is more accessible and who has a more recent memory of graduate student concerns. Other useful sources of information are more advanced students, the DGS, and other faculty. A student should discuss candidly with a potential advisor his or her goals and interests, and request the advisor to outline realistic potential projects. However, it is important to realize that a student is selecting an advisor and a laboratory, not a project, because several shifts of project may occur before a workable one is identified. The DGS must approve the selection of a laboratory. An advisor may decide not to admit a student into a laboratory for any of a variety of reasons, such as lack of space, concerns about funding, or the belief that a particular student would fit in better in a different laboratory. Although students and potential thesis advisors are encouraged to discuss possibilities at any time, they should not make a final commitment to each other for thesis research until the end of the last rotation.   On rare occasions, students switch dissertation laboratories after dissertation research has begun. When such a switch is contemplated, this should be discussed with the DGS as soon as possible.

The selection of a lab marks the assignment of a student from a BBS track to an academic department. Students electing to be in the Department of MCDB but who join laboratories headed by faculty without appointments in the Department are expected to participate fully in the academic life of the Department. This includes attendance at research in progress talks, MCDB seminars, and the annual retreat. In addition, all academic requirements such as attendance at graduate student seminar must be met. As for all scientists at Yale, students are also encouraged to broaden their scientific knowledge and to attend activities that are relevant to their particular scientific interests.