New Students
Arranging Your First Lab Rotation
One of your primary tasks over the summer, whether you plan to matriculate in July or September, is to set up your first lab rotation. In order to begin the process of selecting a rotation, we encourage you to first narrow your research interests. This can be done by reading research articles from labs that interest you, and by searching through information on the PIBS website:
Once you have a good idea of the labs in which you are most interested, contact the corresponding faculty about research opportunities that might be available within their labs. You may choose to do all of this electronically or you may want to make initial contacts via email and then wait until you arrive in Ann Arbor to meet with potential mentors in person. (We leave this up to your personal style.)
In addition, you may want to seek advice from PIBS director Dr. Lori Isom (lisom@umich.edu). When you've made your decision and have secured arrangements for your rotation with your future mentor, please inform PIBS. As a courtesy, please also inform any other faculty with whom you've discussed possible rotations that you will not be rotating with them. Remember, this initial rotation does not commit you to a PhD program, as you will rotate in additional labs. You will have the opportunity over the next academic year to determine which program and lab you wish to commit to in your future years of study.
