Information for Mentors

MENTOR EXPECTATIONS

MEET WITH TRAINEES

Mentors are encouraged to meet with students as often as possible. While weekly meetings are preferred, it is recommended to meet with the trainee at least 3 times - at the beginning, middle, and end of their rotation in your lab.

During these meetings, you might:

  • Discuss progress on the trainee's rotation project

  • Provide guidance and feedback to aid students in pursuing their career goals

  • Teach skills relevant to research (e.g., data analysis, making figures, building a presentation) and critical thinking

DESIGN RESEARCH PROJECT FOR ROTATION

You will be expected to design a hypothesis-driven research project for the trainee's 6-week rotation in your lab. You will be provided with trainee’s personal statement to gain a better understanding of the trainee’s background and interests. 

The purpose of these rotations are for students to:

  • Establish connections with faculty

  • Build a research foundation to bolster fellowship applications 

  • Learn technical lab skills 

  • Learn how to design and investigate a hypothesis

  • Learn how to analyze data and communicate findings

MENTOR APPLICATION PROCESS

Application

Faculty interested in MBURP must fill out the faculty application form provided by MBURP and provide detail regards.

  • Potential research projects for undergraduate students with little to no lab experience.

  • Resources available to support MBURP rotation students including laboratory staff.

  • Information on mentors in your lab that will work one on one with MBURP rotation students.

If you are interested in applying to be a faculty mentor, please contact us at [email protected]

 

Training

Approved faculty will be contacted and provided training materials addressing topics such as DEI topics and expectations.

FAQ

Can the undergraduate students in my lab apply for MBURP?

No, the purpose of MBURP is to introduce students to research and assist them in finding a lab. Students who are already working in a lab are not eligible for MBURP.

Do I have to pay MBURP students during their rotation in my lab?

No, the MBURP research scholarship is funded by generous donations from the Center for Immunology and the Medical School Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. However, you are required to provide funding for the materials and reagents used during their rotation

Can post-docs apply to be MBURP mentors?

Yes. Post-docs may apply to be MBURP mentors as long as they have permission from their PI.

What type of work should the students be doing during their rotation?

The students should be working on a hypothesis-driven, short-term research project, similar in structure to a graduate student rotation. They are expected to learn techniques and conduct experiments that contribute to active projects in your lab.

These students should not only be working on lab chores (e.g., washing tips, making media, refilling tip boxes). While these tasks may absolutely be components of their rotation work, this cannot be all they work on during their rotation.

How many hours per week will the students be in lab?

MBURP students are expected to spend 5-10hrs/week in lab, with a maximum of 10 hours per week.

How long are the lab rotations?

Each rotation will last 6 weeks. Rotations will take place during the spring semester. The first is January 27-March 7, and the second is March 17-April 25.

If a student joins my lab, when will they need to apply for a UROP?

The student are strongly encouraged to work with their mentors to apply for research fellowship, such as UROP, within a year of their completion of the program.

I applied to be a mentor but did not have any MBURP students rotate in my lab. Why?

We deeply appreciate the faculty who seek to mentor MBURP students. Without you, we would not be able to provide this incredible opportunity to learn about the world of research to our students. Unfortunately, the number of applicants MBURP can accept at this time may exceed the number of faculty who express interest in serving as mentors. However, we are constantly striving to increase the size and impact of this program. As we grow and are able to accept more students, we will be able to ensure the faculty who sign on as mentors are paired with trainees. We hope you continue to support the program and apply to be a mentor in future years!

For additional mentor questions and inquiries, please contact us at [email protected]