Research and AMSA
AMSA is committed to helping students navigate the process of finding a research opportunity that is a good fit for them. In the fall semester, we host a student research fair for upperclassmen to present research they have done while in undergrad and to talk to underclassmen about how they found their research positions. In the spring semester, AMSA hosts the most extensive research recruitment fair on campus where we invite many Primary Investigators (PIs) in Pittsburgh who are looking to recruit undergraduates to work in their labs. AMSA also has several meetings where we discuss finding research, and we host speakers who come to inform students about ways to enhance their research experiences on and off campus. The VCR committee is also always available to answer questions about research at Pitt both at meetings and via email.
AMSA is committed to helping students navigate the process of finding a research opportunity that is a good fit for them. In the fall semester, we host a student research fair for upperclassmen to present research they have done while in undergrad and to talk to underclassmen about how they found their research positions. In the spring semester, AMSA hosts the most extensive research recruitment fair on campus where we invite many Primary Investigators (PIs) in Pittsburgh who are looking to recruit undergraduates to work in their labs. AMSA also has several meetings where we discuss finding research, and we host speakers who come to inform students about ways to enhance their research experiences on and off campus. The VCR committee is also always available to answer questions about research at Pitt both at meetings and via email.
Tips for getting a research position:
The best way to start finding a research position is to think about what kind of research you want to be involved in, such as clinical work, bench work/wet lab, and computational analysis. There are many ways to get involved in research that are not your typical idea of scientists in lab coats with pipettes. Your undergrad years are a great time to explore other areas which may interest you like public health, anthropology, or history. The important thing is that you find something you find enjoyable.
Do not be afraid to reach out. Prepare your resume to highlight your strengths. Research experience is not a necessity for a resume to work in a lab. Showing commitment to other activities and taking classes in which you may have acquired some research skills are both critical for research. When you find a lab you're interested in, apply or email the PI. If PIs are not looking for an undergraduate student at the time you apply, they may be able to put you in contact with someone else in the field who is looking for a research student. If you email a PI, detailing why you are interested in becoming involved in research and why you want to work in that particular PI’s lab are both vital. Overall, professionalism and enthusiasm are both very appealing to the PIs reading your email/application.
Talk to other students who have research positions to see how they got involved. If you do not know anyone doing research, please reach out to anyone on the board via emails or at meetings. We will gladly let you know of our experiences or the experiences of their peers. We love answering your questions because we were in your exact position not too long ago.
Accept that, sometimes, you will be rejected. Do not let that discourage you. In many cases, a PI may not have room or funding to take on another lab member even if you were a great candidate. Do not give up because there is a research position out there for you and a mentor who wants to help train and teach you, even if it might take a bit of work to find.
Resources offered by Pitt
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers several research programs, including the First Experience in Research (FER) program for students to become involved in research. The OUR hosts open curiosity hours in the Cup and Chaucer area of Hillman Library Wednesdays from 6-7:30 for students looking to discuss research directly with students working for the OUR. For more information about the resources available to you through the OUR, visit their website.
The Department of Biological Sciences has a resource page for finding research opportunities. Each department within Pitt also has a website with the research faculty listed and their research questions. Students may look online for these opportunities by visiting the Department of Biological Sciences Research and Internships website.
Advisors are an invaluable resource offered to you here at Pitt. We have Bio, Honors College, Pre-med, and general advisors to help answer any of the questions you may have about taking advantage of all of the opportunities available to you, like research.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to have research to get into med school?
While research is not a hard necessity for medical school admissions across the board, it is emphasized as a soft requirement and some med schools do want students with research experience. Research can be an excellent talking point and allow you to delve deeper into critical thinking and the frontiers of the medical field. Some students even find they love research so much they chose to become a physician-scientist, MD Ph.D., run clinical trials, etc. as their future careers.
Q: How many hours a week do most research positions require?
Depending on the research position and the type of work you are doing you will be expected to work different numbers of hours. Most undergraduates entering a lab during the semester are expected to work between 5 and 10 hours a week, some may be required to work more. We recommend discussing with PIs how many hours a week they would expect from you and do not commit to more than you have time to complete while staying on top of your academics and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Q: Can I get credits on my transcript for my research?
Yes. Pitt allows students to perform research for credit. Some majors (such as Neuroscience) have research as a part of their major requirements (specifically you can do research to fulfill the capstone experience). In most cases, 5 hours of research per week for the 15 week semester equates to 1 credit on your transcript or 10 hours for 2 credits, etc. In most cases, research credits are taken pass/fail and help contribute to your total credits per semester, but not your GPA.
The best way to start finding a research position is to think about what kind of research you want to be involved in, such as clinical work, bench work/wet lab, and computational analysis. There are many ways to get involved in research that are not your typical idea of scientists in lab coats with pipettes. Your undergrad years are a great time to explore other areas which may interest you like public health, anthropology, or history. The important thing is that you find something you find enjoyable.
Do not be afraid to reach out. Prepare your resume to highlight your strengths. Research experience is not a necessity for a resume to work in a lab. Showing commitment to other activities and taking classes in which you may have acquired some research skills are both critical for research. When you find a lab you're interested in, apply or email the PI. If PIs are not looking for an undergraduate student at the time you apply, they may be able to put you in contact with someone else in the field who is looking for a research student. If you email a PI, detailing why you are interested in becoming involved in research and why you want to work in that particular PI’s lab are both vital. Overall, professionalism and enthusiasm are both very appealing to the PIs reading your email/application.
Talk to other students who have research positions to see how they got involved. If you do not know anyone doing research, please reach out to anyone on the board via emails or at meetings. We will gladly let you know of our experiences or the experiences of their peers. We love answering your questions because we were in your exact position not too long ago.
Accept that, sometimes, you will be rejected. Do not let that discourage you. In many cases, a PI may not have room or funding to take on another lab member even if you were a great candidate. Do not give up because there is a research position out there for you and a mentor who wants to help train and teach you, even if it might take a bit of work to find.
Resources offered by Pitt
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers several research programs, including the First Experience in Research (FER) program for students to become involved in research. The OUR hosts open curiosity hours in the Cup and Chaucer area of Hillman Library Wednesdays from 6-7:30 for students looking to discuss research directly with students working for the OUR. For more information about the resources available to you through the OUR, visit their website.
The Department of Biological Sciences has a resource page for finding research opportunities. Each department within Pitt also has a website with the research faculty listed and their research questions. Students may look online for these opportunities by visiting the Department of Biological Sciences Research and Internships website.
Advisors are an invaluable resource offered to you here at Pitt. We have Bio, Honors College, Pre-med, and general advisors to help answer any of the questions you may have about taking advantage of all of the opportunities available to you, like research.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to have research to get into med school?
While research is not a hard necessity for medical school admissions across the board, it is emphasized as a soft requirement and some med schools do want students with research experience. Research can be an excellent talking point and allow you to delve deeper into critical thinking and the frontiers of the medical field. Some students even find they love research so much they chose to become a physician-scientist, MD Ph.D., run clinical trials, etc. as their future careers.
Q: How many hours a week do most research positions require?
Depending on the research position and the type of work you are doing you will be expected to work different numbers of hours. Most undergraduates entering a lab during the semester are expected to work between 5 and 10 hours a week, some may be required to work more. We recommend discussing with PIs how many hours a week they would expect from you and do not commit to more than you have time to complete while staying on top of your academics and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Q: Can I get credits on my transcript for my research?
Yes. Pitt allows students to perform research for credit. Some majors (such as Neuroscience) have research as a part of their major requirements (specifically you can do research to fulfill the capstone experience). In most cases, 5 hours of research per week for the 15 week semester equates to 1 credit on your transcript or 10 hours for 2 credits, etc. In most cases, research credits are taken pass/fail and help contribute to your total credits per semester, but not your GPA.
Additional Resources
NEUROSCIENCE
General Neuroscience labs: http://cnup.neurobio.pitt.edu/research/index.aspx
Brain Trauma: http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/centers-excellence/brain-and-spine-injury/brain-trauma-research-center
Sleep Research: http://www.sleep.pitt.edu/personnel.asp?id=1481&p
Learning Research and Development Center: http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu//
Neurocognitive Development: http://lncd.pitt.edu/wp/
Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition: http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=listcats&cat_id=20&Itemid=126
Neurosurgery: http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/research (look at Faculty Summaries page)
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (involves a lot of sports medicine research): http://www.nmrl.pitt.edu/research
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: http://www.adrc.pitt.edu/
Program in Cognitive Affective Neuroscience: http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/pican/Default.htm
Brain Trauma: http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/centers-excellence/brain-and-spine-injury/brain-trauma-research-center
Sleep Research: http://www.sleep.pitt.edu/personnel.asp?id=1481&p
Learning Research and Development Center: http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu//
Neurocognitive Development: http://lncd.pitt.edu/wp/
Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition: http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=listcats&cat_id=20&Itemid=126
Neurosurgery: http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/research (look at Faculty Summaries page)
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (involves a lot of sports medicine research): http://www.nmrl.pitt.edu/research
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: http://www.adrc.pitt.edu/
Program in Cognitive Affective Neuroscience: http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/pican/Default.htm
BIOLOGY
Biochemistry: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/biochemistry
Computational Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/computational-biology
Cell Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/cell-biology
Developmental Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/developmental-biology
Ecology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/ecology
Evolution: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/evolution
Genetics: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/genetics
Microbiology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/microbiology
Plant Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/plant-biology
Structural Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/structural-biology
Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics: http://www.mmg.pitt.edu/people/research-staff
Transplantation: http://www.stiresearch.health.pitt.edu/research
Computational Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/computational-biology
Cell Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/cell-biology
Developmental Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/developmental-biology
Ecology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/ecology
Evolution: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/evolution
Genetics: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/genetics
Microbiology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/microbiology
Plant Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/plant-biology
Structural Biology: http://www.biology.pitt.edu/research/structural-biology
Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics: http://www.mmg.pitt.edu/people/research-staff
Transplantation: http://www.stiresearch.health.pitt.edu/research
CANCER RESEARCH
General Cancer Research: http://www.upci.upmc.edu/research.cfm
Hematology/Oncology at Children’s: http://www.chp.edu/CHP/hematology+oncology+research
Women’s Cancer Research: http://www.upci.upmc.edu/wcrc/research.cfm
Hematology/Oncology at Children’s: http://www.chp.edu/CHP/hematology+oncology+research
Women’s Cancer Research: http://www.upci.upmc.edu/wcrc/research.cfm
PUBLIC HEALTH
Infectious Diseases and Microbiology: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/infectious-diseases-and-microbiology/research-and-practice
Center for Aging and Population Health: http://www.caph.pitt.edu/
Center for Bioethics and Human Law: http://www.bioethics.pitt.edu/
Epidemiology Data Center: http://www.edc.pitt.edu/
Center for Healthy Environments and Communities: http://www.chec.pitt.edu/Projects.html
Health Policy Institute: http://www.healthpolicyinstitute.pitt.edu/research-projects
LGBT Health Research: http://www.lgbthlres.pitt.edu/
FIND MORE HERE: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/home/research-and-practice/centers
Global Health: http://www.globalhealth.pitt.edu/research/
Center for Aging and Population Health: http://www.caph.pitt.edu/
Center for Bioethics and Human Law: http://www.bioethics.pitt.edu/
Epidemiology Data Center: http://www.edc.pitt.edu/
Center for Healthy Environments and Communities: http://www.chec.pitt.edu/Projects.html
Health Policy Institute: http://www.healthpolicyinstitute.pitt.edu/research-projects
LGBT Health Research: http://www.lgbthlres.pitt.edu/
FIND MORE HERE: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/home/research-and-practice/centers
Global Health: http://www.globalhealth.pitt.edu/research/
CHEMISTRY
Analytical Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/analytical-division
Biological Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/biological-division
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/inorganic-and-materials-division
Organic Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/organic-division
Physical Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/physical-division
Materials Chemistry: http://hutchison.chem.pitt.edu/
Curran Research Group: http://radical.chem.pitt.edu/
Biological Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/biological-division
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/inorganic-and-materials-division
Organic Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/organic-division
Physical Chemistry: http://www.chem.pitt.edu/research/physical-division
Materials Chemistry: http://hutchison.chem.pitt.edu/
Curran Research Group: http://radical.chem.pitt.edu/
PHYSICS
Astrophysics and Chemistry: http://www.physicsandastronomy.pitt.edu/research/astrophysics_and_cosmology
Condensed Matter Phyics: http://www.physicsandastronomy.pitt.edu/research/condensed_matter_physics
Particle Physics: http://www.physicsandastronomy.pitt.edu/research/particle_physics
Condensed Matter Phyics: http://www.physicsandastronomy.pitt.edu/research/condensed_matter_physics
Particle Physics: http://www.physicsandastronomy.pitt.edu/research/particle_physics
PSYCHOLOGY (CONSIDER THIS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN NEUROSCIENCE AND/OR CLINICAL RESEARCH)
SOCIOLOGY
BIOENGINEERING
GEOLOGY
Planetary Science: http://www.geology.pitt.edu/content/planetary-science
Volcanology: http://www.geology.pitt.edu/content/volcanology-and-remote-sensing-0
Paleoclimatology: http://www.geology.pitt.edu/content/paleoclimatology
Volcanology: http://www.geology.pitt.edu/content/volcanology-and-remote-sensing-0
Paleoclimatology: http://www.geology.pitt.edu/content/paleoclimatology