Siddique Lab Mentoring Compact

 

(Graduate Student Focused)
Updated 05-29-2024.

Goals Our mission is to conduct impactful research on host-nematode interactions to improve global food security. We aim to understand the response of plants and other hosts to nematode invasion and to publish influential research that remains relevant for years. Our lab environment strives to nurture the next generation of scientists through high-quality training and support.

Introduction Traditionally, agreements between junior researchers and faculty supervisors are implicit. This document explicitly outlines our mutual expectations to avoid misunderstandings. Please read it thoroughly and discuss any questions or concerns, as it is subject to revision based on your feedback.

My Responsibilities and Commitments

  • I will strive to provide a supportive and respectful environment, fostering professional confidence, critical thinking, and creativity.
  • I am committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity in all forms regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
  • I will ensure respect for all individuals regardless of background and promote a tolerant lab culture.
  • I am committed to helping secure financial resources for your research and will assist with fellowship applications as needed.
  • I will engage directly in planning your research project, setting goals, and regularly reviewing your progress.
  • I expect to meet bi-weekly to discuss your research and development, and I am available for additional meetings as my schedule allows.
  • I will address any concerns about your research progress promptly and constructively.
  • I am dedicated to training you in essential professional skills and will support your exploration of career paths and opportunities.
  • I encourage you to seek guidance from multiple mentors to broaden your support network.

Your Responsibilities and Lab Policies

  • You are primarily responsible for your academic and research success, maintaining professionalism, and ethical standards. For example:
    • Academic Success: Ensure you have fulfilled all course requirements, kept your thesis committee updated, and followed all other relevant recommendations in your respective graduate program handbook. Stay current with the latest research in your field by regularly reading scientific journals. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences to broaden your knowledge and network with other professionals.
    • Professionalism: Be punctual in lab meetings and appointments. Communicate respectfully and effectively with lab members, collaborators, and other professionals.
    • Ethical Standards: Ensure all your research practices comply with the university’s ethical guidelines. This includes obtaining necessary approvals for experiments, accurately reporting data, and giving proper credit to collaborators and previous researchers in your publications.
    • Stress Management: If anything in the lab is causing you stress, bring it to my attention so we can work together on a solution. Your well-being is important, and addressing issues early can help maintain a positive and productive lab environment.
  • Prepare for bi-monthly meetings, keeping your lab notebook and data organized and up to date. For example:
    • Summarize key findings and progress since the last meeting.
    • Highlight any significant challenges or roadblocks you have encountered.
    • Prepare questions or topics where you need guidance or feedback.
    • Ensure that all experimental data and observations are recorded clearly and systematically.
  • Be proactive in managing your time and research activities, aiming for efficiency in the lab. For example:
    • Create a weekly schedule that includes specific times for experiments, data analysis, and writing.
    • Prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines.
    • Break larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines for each.
    • Regularly review your progress and adjust your plans as needed to stay on track.
  • Adhere to all program and university policies and maintain a healthy work-life balance. For example:
    • Follow the university’s safety protocols and ethical guidelines for conducting research. Ensure that you complete the required training and certifications on time.
    • Balance your time effectively between work and personal life to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.
  • Plan your vacation time in advance and manage your research responsibilities during your absence. For example:
    • Inform the PI of your planned vacation at least a few weeks in advance.
    • Arrange for a colleague to cover any ongoing experiments or responsibilities while you are away.
  • Actively participate in lab meetings, maintain data integrity, and keep your lab area tidy. For example:
    • Contribute to discussions and provide constructive feedback during meetings.
    • Ensure all data is accurately recorded and organized in your lab notebook and digital files.
    • Keep your workspace clean and follow lab safety protocols.
  • Contribute positively to the lab environment and handle lab resources responsibly. For example:
    • Help new lab members get acquainted with protocols and equipment.
    • Use shared resources and reagents efficiently and responsibly.
    • If you see a problem in the lab, try to communicate it clearly and contribute to finding and implementing a solution. For instance, if you notice a piece of equipment is malfunctioning, report it promptly and suggest a possible repair or alternative solution.
    • Avoid political and religious discussions in the lab that may hurt the sentiments of others. Focus on maintaining a professional and inclusive atmosphere that respects everyone’s beliefs and backgrounds.
  • You are not just an independent researcher but also a collaborative lab member. This means being proactive in lab responsibilities and assisting others when they need help. For example:
    • Offer to help a lab mate troubleshoot an experiment or analyze data.
    • Participate in lab maintenance tasks, such as cleaning common areas or restocking supplies.
  • I expect you to take the initiative and manage your own experiments. While I do not micromanage or require daily updates, this does not imply a lack of interest. Instead, I prefer students to think critically and troubleshoot independently, stepping in when guidance is crucial. My approach is to delegate effectively, promoting autonomy and responsibility in your research activities. For example:
    • If you encounter an unexpected result, first review your protocols and data thoroughly to identify any potential issues or sources of error before seeking assistance.
    • When planning a new experiment, draft a detailed plan including objectives, methodologies, and potential challenges. Present this plan during our bi-weekly meeting or in your progress report for feedback, rather than waiting for step-by-step instructions.

Research Meetings, Recordkeeping, and Professional Interactions

  • Engage actively in weekly group meetings and maintain rigorous data records.
  • Be respectful and professional in all communications, taking initiative in external collaborations. For example, include the PI and other relevant members of the research group in CC.
  • Strive for visibility within the department by participating in events and presentations. For example:
    • Present your research at departmental seminars or conferences.
    • Participate in networking events and workshops offered by the university.
  • All codes and software used in bioinformatics and computational biology must be annotated both in OneNote or GitHub repositories.
  • For wet lab work, all raw data for each figure (Excel files, Western blot images, qPCR, etc.) should be organized and placed online in your lab notebook and on your laptop/computer. There should also be an additional backup of the data folder in UC Davis BOX. We will meet, and you can walk me through each component.
  • All plasmids used in the lab must be sequenced, and the sequences deposited in the lab google drive. The same applies to seeds.

Authorship, Publications, and Sharing Materials

  • Authorship will be determined collaboratively based on contribution as projects progress.
    • Major contributors to the design, execution, and writing of a project will be considered for first authorship.
    • Contributors who provide significant intellectual input or resources will be acknowledged appropriately.
  • Expectations for the first author include leading the writing and organization of the manuscript.
    • Draft the initial version of the manuscript and coordinate feedback from co-authors.
    • Ensure that all sections of the manuscript are cohesive and well-integrated.
  • We adhere to open science principles, ensuring that our research is accessible and reproducible.
    • Share data and code openly through repositories such as Zenodo or GitHub.
    • Publish in open-access journals whenever possible.

Importance of Active Participation

Being active and vocal in meetings helps you critically assess others’ work and maintain the integrity of the lab’s research. It also encourages others to think about their own projects and how they can improve. Your input is vital for fostering a collaborative and innovative lab environment.

Online Lab Notebooks

  • I expect online lab notebooks to be updated weekly, with peer reviews every quarter. This ensures transparency and continuous improvement of our research practices. For example:
    • Document each experiment’s objectives, methods, results, and conclusions in your online notebook.
    • Participate in quarterly peer review sessions where lab members provide feedback on each other’s records, suggesting improvements and corrections.

Conclusion This compact is designed to clarify expectations and foster a productive and respectful mentoring relationship. Please engage with this document actively and communicate any concerns or suggestions for improvement.