Why Work With Us?
What We Have to Offer:
We are a fun research team that is focused on helping young scientists grow and reach for excellence. Training with the Robel Research Team has four aspects:
1). Hands-on bench work: We usually start showing you and training you in hands-on bench work, which includes but is not limited to: inducing brain injury in mice, maintenance and genotyping of transgenic animal colonies, brain tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, cell culture, confocal imaging, and image analysis. We typically assign a small research project to undergraduate students, sometimes we do this during the first semester that you are with us, sometimes for the summer/semester after. Yes, you will participate in real research. We don't have "practice projects" here. The exact nature of this project depends on what we are working on at the moment and how quickly you pick up the techniques required.
2). Proper scientific practice: Experimental design, ethical conduct and organization of research work is geared at maximizing the quality of our work and productivity. You will -with our help- design your experiment, carry out the work, analyze the data and make them presentable. Once you have these steps down you’re ready for graduate school.
3). The scientific background of our research work: You will learn about the function of astrocytes and other glial cells in the brain. How these functions change after injury and what tools and techniques we can use to answer research questions.
4). Personal development work: Our team meets once a month for a full day to work on ourselves. We explore what our individual strengths and weaknesses are and how these help or hinder our individual happiness and productivity. This helps us to get to know each other at a deeper level and to operate powerfully as a team.
A Word from Current and Previous Members of the Lab:
Dallece Curley, Undergraduate Researcher:
Why are you doing research in this lab?
"I am doing research in this lab as it provides an amazing and unique opportunity for me to be involved in cutting edge research as an undergraduate. As mild traumatic brain injury is so prevalent, it amazes me that relatively little is known about the mechanisms underlying these injuries, and as a member of this lab I am able to participate in a hands on approach in solving this puzzle!"
What do you enjoy most about working in the Robel Lab?
"I most enjoy the atmosphere in our lab, which supports intellectual and personal growth. Also, our lab meetings are hosted in a variety of enjoyable such as the Mill Mountain Park or local restaurants (the Green Goat has been my favorite as it has the absolute best chocolate cake)."
What is the biggest challenge of working in the Robel Lab?
"As an undergraduate time can be very challenging, however our lab is understanding of undergraduate schedules so I am able to be flexible and vary my schedule, while still accomplishing my goals and contributing!"
Alexys Harrington, Research Assistant & Former Undergraduate Researcher:
Why are you doing research in this lab?
"In my opinion, the brain is the most fascinating aspect of the human body. But it is also has the least known about it. By working in the lab you have the opportunity to contribute to furthering knowledge of the brain and helping save peoples lives through research. It is an honor to work in such an amazing lab with brilliant mentors."
What do you enjoy most about working in the Robel Lab?
"I love the fact that we are given so much independence. Even as an undergraduate student, once my training was over, I was given my own personal project. Even though you do work independently, if you ever have any questions everyone is always willing to help you. I have a passion for the work that I do in the lab and enjoy the work that I do. I also really enjoy the lab atmosphere. We frequently have lab outings at local restaurants which are always a lot of fun and a change of scenery from the lab. We value personal growth, and during some lab meetings we do workshops that help us to get to know and better ourselves, as well as other members of the lab."
What is the biggest challenge of working in the Robel Lab?
"The biggest challenge when I was an Undergraduate Researcher would have been the commute. But now there is a shuttle bus that has WiFi on it, so you don't have to worry about losing an hour to driving time instead working on your school work. But now my biggest challenge is that Starbucks is across the street, and my many grande sugar free caramel iced coffees put a nice dent in my bank account."
Alex Winemiller, Research Assistant & Former Undergraduate Researcher:
"Research in this lab allows me to follow a passion of researching how larger and impairing cognitive problems can arise from issues at the cellular level. Although exploring new areas can be daunting, I enjoy the freedom to pursue any new questions at our own pace."