Join

Our group is committed to promoting inclusivity and training a diverse STEM workforce.

I welcome all students to come and talk with me about their research interests and career plans at any time (as available). Please use the following link to schedule a time to meet with me: https://calendly.com/ejbsbi

I can serve as the research mentor to motivated and enthusiastic RIT students in the following programs:

BS: Biochemistry, Biology, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

BS/MS: Biology/ Enviromental Science, Bioinformatics/ Bioinformatics, Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics, and Enviromental Science/ Enviromental Science

MS: Bioinformatics, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

For students interested in doing research with me, please read one of my previous publications so you have a better understanding of the work my research program does. During our meeting, we will both determine if the lab and research areas are a good fit for you. My publications can be found in Google Scholar.

Be familiar with my expectations for my students

Please email me to schedule a time to meet and include:

1. Brief description of research interests and career goals
2. Unofficial transcript
3. CV/ Resume

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Undergraduate students

Research training and research itself will be a significant time and intellectual commitment for both of us. Thus, I will only accept students who are able to and express a desire to work with me for at least two semesters. Students must be able to commit at least two (three is better) 3-hour chunks per week for hands-on research.

For their first semester, new students will shadow and assist with ongoing projects. This low-stakes approach ensures that both students and myself meet each other’s expectations and a commitment of time and energy is observed.

Most new students are grouped with more senior student researchers to participate in ongoing projects. Student teams will need to meet with me weekly to discuss the state of their project and set goals for the next week. I also expect students to read one paper in their project area each week to discuss during our meetings. Once a week, we have a one-hour meeting with all lab members to discuss lab affairs and one person presents their research and another one presents a paper.

Performance, engagement, and productivity will determine if students will be asked to continue their training with me in successive stages.

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Undergraduate course credit

If you wish to do research for course credit, we will need to meet and design a research project.

Students who seek research credit for the first time should plan on taking Biology Research (BIOL-295) for 2 credit hours. As students advance in research and technical skills, they can take Advanced Biology Research (BIOL-495) for 2-3 credit hours in the subsequent semesters.

For students that want to do a guided literature-based learning with me can elect to take Biology Independent Study (BIOL-298) or Advanced Biology Independent Study (BIOL-498).

For all these credit options, you will need to complete the Independent Study/ Research Contract. For the “Description of Proposal” portion of the form attach a second page that includes the following elements:

1. Title
2. Objective
3. Background
4. Hypothesis
5. Methods
6. Expected Results
7. Significance

The course grade will be evaluated based on participation in hands-on research, group and lab meetings, and a report you produce of the research. Reports are due by midnight two days before the day final grades are due to the registrar for the semester. Include the sections:

1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Methods
4. Results
5. Discussion

COVID-19 pandemic statement: In the event the school transitions to fully online, course grade evaluations will be based off of a comprehensive literature review of the student’s current research topic.

A draft of the Independent Study/ Research Contract form is due to me one month before the last day of the semester’s add/drop period. I will provide feedback to improve the document and once finalized, please complete the Independent Study/Research Contract and Research Internship form and send to me for my signature. After Department Head or Associate Department Head approval your enrollment in the course will be processed.

Once completed and we both agree the Research Internship Form needs my signature and to be sent to Allyson Jefferis (gsolsforms@rit.edu).

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Undergraduate research internship

Students may also volunteer their time to conduct research in the lab without taking a course for credit. They will need to complete the Research Internship Form.

Once completed the Research Internship Form needs my signature and to be sent to Allyson Jefferis (gsolsforms@rit.edu).

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Graduate students

Please email me to schedule a time to meet and include:

1. Brief description of research interests and career goals
2. Unofficial transcript
3. CV

Additionally, I am approved to serve as a member in graduate student thesis and dissertation committees for the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

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Postdoctoral researchers

If you are interested in joining the lab for postdoctoral training, I would be willing to support an application for postdoctoral funding via the National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, or United States Department of Energy. Please contact me and include:

1. Brief description of research interests and career goals
2. CV
3. Sample of your writing
4. Names and email addresses for 2-3 references

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Lab access

To gain access to my laboratory and greenhouse spaces, you need to complete RIT Health and Safety Department online trainings and send me the certificates for each. These trainings must be completed every academic year.:

1. Biosafety Awareness Training
2. Lab Safety Training
3. Gas Cylinder Training
4. Please complete the Room Authorization Form and send to me for a signature. Room Authorization Forms need to be completed every semester.