FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > A gudie for laboratory technicans at the Kanold Lab
A -- clear plan. I think that this research will appeal to most pre-medical students, so that is a plus.
Suddenly, I am wondering if you need to address up front the squeamish student. Can you give guidance on how to over come this, or is this a deal breaker for the Kanold Lab?
Suddenly, I am wondering if you need to address up front the squeamish student. Can you give guidance on how to over come this, or is this a deal breaker for the Kanold Lab?
May 7, 2015 |
Marybeth Shea
Marybeth Shea
The Kanold Lab is one of the most influential labs in the world of developmental neurobiology. The focus of the Kanold Lab is the development of the subplate region and developing novel techniques to completely and safely ablating the subplate for more precise research. As a laboratory technician for Dr. Kanold for the past two years I have extensive knowledge of the research being conducted and the techniques that my successor must be competent in performing. The incoming technician will primarily be focused on two aspects of the lab- one, general maintenance and two, assisting in research projects. Regarding lab maintenance the incoming technician is responsible for general lab cleanliness, the training of all new employees, ordering all supplies and insuring that the lab is complying with AAALAC and IACUC research and animal use standards. The research aspect of being a laboratory technician is every evolving but the current projects that you will be most involved in is known as the ‘HI project’ or hypoxia ischemia project. The HI project is done by inducing an ischemic attack in the animal model, 1followed by electrophysiological examinations and histological processing of the model brain. As a laboratory technician I was primarily responsible for the histological processes. The histology involves the perfusion of the animal, slicing the brain and then performing the necessary staining procedure. The job of a laboratory technician is one of extreme focus to detail, strict deadlines and very long hours, but is ultimately very rewarding both personally and professionally.
WC: 250
Difficult Reader Profile: An undergraduate who just took this position to put on his resume for graduate school and has no real interest in the research. This person sees no reason to take such meticulous care to all of the work being conducted in this lab since he is only looking for a letter of recommendation.
Reader’s Response: An undergraduate lab technician is a huge responsibility, usually reserved for those who have already graduated and willing to commit long hours and serious dedication to their work. As an undergraduate technician you must understand that you work with very expensive tools and animals, if you do not take this job seriously it will cost the lab a lot of money and (just like any other job) if you lose a lot of money your letter of recommendation will also be lost.