OWLS: Organization for Women Leaders in Science

                                              Want to get involved in research?

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1. Go to the department’s website that you are interested in, and click on the research tab. Read short summary on each professor’s research. Keep a list of the faculty that interest you to narrow down your options.

2. Now click on each professor’s group page, read sections of research. Narrow down your options more by either keeping or removing professors from your list. Be sure to look up key words. It’s okay if you don’t understand the research right away – this is normal!

3. Read publications by the professor with titles that interest you. Most professor’s keep a list of current publications. Copy the title and then search at http://www.lib.utah.edu/.

4. Read abstracts and look at images. If you are interested download the paper and read it, if not move on to other papers/professors.

5. At this point, if you decide that you are interested in a professor’s research, contact them to talk about their research. You may need to email the professor several times. This is okay; they are very busy and will appreciate the reminder. 

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Example:

Hello Dr. ______,
My name is (your name) and I am a ____ major at the University of Utah this is my (first, second, third, etc.) year. I have been exploring research opportunities in the department and after looking through your research page and some articles that you have published, and would like to meet with you to discuss your studies on (materials from paper, internet information, etc.).

I can meet (specify several times and dates – include general days and times you’re free, as they may be busy). Would you be able to meet me at any of these times?

I’m looking forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you for your time,
(Your name)

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                                                  Note: Personalizing your email is a good idea.

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1. Once the professor arranges a meeting with you, make sure your resume or CV (curriculum vitae - this is an academic summary of yourself) is up to date. You can schedule an appointment with your career coach if you need help. This is what you should be prepared to bring to the meeting:

   1. CV/resume

   2. DARS/unofficial transcript

   3. Academic achievements.

   4. Research publications that you have read and highlighted. Be prepared to discuss questions you may have about the research. 

2. If this meeting goes:

   1.  Well and it seems like a good fit, you can talk about the next steps to becoming a member in their group. At the meeting be sure to discuss how many hours you would like to work in the lab, how many semesters, and future plans for opportunities like UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program). http://our.utah.edu/for-students/urop/. Ask who your lab mentor, the person who you will spend most of your time with, will be.

   2. If it doesn’t seem like it will work out, that’s okay. Repeat this process with another professor – it’s probably best to do steps 1-5 with multiple researchers at the same time to save time for yourself.

   3. If you are not quite sure, and you want to get a better feel for the research group, you may ask to come to a weekly group meeting, where current students in the group will be discussing their current results.

                                                 

                                                                       Good Luck!!!