GRE Lab Undergraduate Researcher Expectations

Principal Investigator: Bin He
Department of Biology, the University of Iowa

Updated: February 2026

GRE Lab Undergraduate Researcher Expectations

1. Purpose and Overview

Welcome to the Gene Regulatory Evolution (GRE) Lab! Undergraduate research is a valuable part of your scientific training. The goal of this document is to set clear expectations for both the students and the PI so that everyone can have a productive, respectful, and rewarding experience in research. This document outlines the process for joining the lab, the roles and responsibilities of undergraduate student researchers, what students can expect from the PI, and additional guidelines for research-for-credit courses.

2. Lab Core Values

We are committed to fostering a research environment built on:

Integrity in all aspects of research
Intellectual curiosity and active engagement with scientific questions
Mutual respect among all lab members regardless of position or experience level
Collaboration and mentorship where knowledge is shared freely
Transparency in methods, data, and communication
Belief that study, research and personal well-being can be positively reinforcing one another: finding satisfaction in learning new knowledge and achieving novel results is built on and can benefit our physical and mental health.

This lab has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, or research misconduct of any kind. If you experience or witness any such behavior, please speak with the PI, your graduate student mentor, the department chair, or the university Title IX office.

3. Process Of Joining The Lab

We welcome interested undergraduate students with foundational knowledge in genetics, especially in transcriptional regulation, to begin by attending lab meetings as observers. During this observation period, you will:

Attend weekly lab meetings consistently and punctually
Listen actively to presentations by lab members
Ask questions during presentations and discussions - no question is too simple
Read at least 2–3 papers related to ongoing lab projects
Meet briefly with the PI (Bin) at the midpoint and end of the observation period

What we’re looking for:

Genuine interest in our research area (e.g., fungal pathogens, transcriptional regulation, computational biology)
Active engagement demonstrated through questions asked and papers read
Ability to understand and discuss genetic concepts
Professional conduct and reliability in attending meetings

After 4–6 weeks, students who demonstrate sustained interest, find a suitable graduate student mentor, and are prepared for a defined project will discuss the possibility of transitioning into an official Undergraduate Researcher role with the PI.

Selection Criteria

Engagement in lab meetings (questions asked, papers read, initiative taken).
Preparation, including lab skills (e.g., microbiology methods), basic statistics, and programming ability. Note that these preparations are not required but will be evaluated in conjunction with other factors.
Availability of graduate student mentors and overall availability of lab space.

There are limited positions; not all applicants will be accepted.

4. Expectations For Undergraduate Researchers

4.1 Time Commitment

Physical lab presence

Spend at least two 3-hour blocks per week physically in the lab (minimum 6 hours/week total).
Schedule these times in coordination with your graduate student mentor and communicate them to the PI.
Use lab hours to:
- Conduct experiments
- Discuss progress and troubleshoot with your mentor
- Complete assigned lab jobs
- Analyze data and maintain lab notebooks
- Participate in lab training activities

Lab meetings

Attend weekly lab meetings (approximately 1 hour).
Actively participate in discussions by asking questions and offering insights.
Present updates on your research at least twice per semester.
- Presentations can be short updates (5–10 minutes) or more formal research presentations (~30 minutes)
- Practice your presentation with your graduate student mentor beforehand.
Read and be prepared to discuss assigned papers or topics.

Reading literature and join undergraduate journal clubs

Attend undergraduate-focused journal club sessions (led by senior undergrad members).
Come prepared to discuss the assigned paper(s) in depth.
Select and lead the discussion at least once.
Read at least 5 primary research articles per semester relevant to your project or broader lab research.

Communication about absences

Conflicts with coursework that prevent lab meeting attendance must be communicated to the PI in advance.
Frequent unannounced absences from lab meetings or other signs of disengagement may result in termination of your position.

Time management

We understand that your classes come first, and we will work with you to ensure your lab schedule does not interfere with your academic success. While your coursework takes priority, timely and clear communication with your mentors is essential.
You must demonstrate the ability to balance both commitments effectively.
If you are struggling to meet lab expectations due to coursework, communicate early so we can discuss solutions.

4.2 Lab Responsibilities

Lab jobs

All lab members contribute to lab maintenance through assigned jobs.
- Examples include maintaining stock solutions, organizing shared equipment, monitoring inventory, cleaning shared spaces, or assisting with shared protocols.
Take your assigned lab job seriously and complete tasks promptly and thoroughly.
If you cannot complete a lab job due to absence or conflict, communicate with your mentor to arrange coverage.

Workspace organization

Keep your bench and digital workspace organized and clearly labeled.
If sharing bench space:
- Ensure all equipment and reagents are clearly labeled with your name and date.
- Return shared spaces to their original condition after use.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Do not leave experiments or materials unattended on shared benches overnight without labeling.
Respect other lab members’ materials—never use someone else’s reagents without permission.

Equipment and reagents

Treat all lab equipment with care and report any malfunctions immediately.
Return equipment to its proper location after use.
If you break something or make a mistake, report it immediately—mistakes are part of learning, but concealing them compromises everyone’s research.
Do not use equipment you have not been trained on.
Keep track of reagents you use and alert the lab manager or your mentor when supplies are running low.

Laboratory safety and compliance

Complete all required safety training within 30 days of joining the lab.
Follow all biosafety protocols for working with microorganisms.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
Know the location of safety equipment (eyewash, fire extinguisher, spill kits, first aid).
Report any safety concerns or incidents to your mentor and the PI immediately.

4.3 Communication & Progress

Regular communication with mentors

Keep your graduate student mentor updated on research progress through regular communication.
Schedule weekly or bi-weekly meetings with your mentor to discuss:
- Experimental plans and results
- Challenges or questions
- Next steps
- Your learning goals
Seek periodic meetings with the PI, e.g., mid-semester and end-of-semester at least.

Lab notebooks

Maintain both a physical lab notebook and an electronic lab notebook (ELN). Use this template for ELN.
Lab notebooks must be:
- Updated weekly or whenever experiments are planned, conducted, or analyzed.
- Updated after discussions with mentors about experimental direction.
- Clear enough that another lab member could reproduce your work.
- Complete with dates, methods, results, observations, and conclusions.
Best practices:
- Date every entry.
- Explain what you did and why.
- Include failed experiments and troubleshooting notes.
- Attach images (gels, plates, etc.) or store them in the ELN, clearly labeled.
- Record reagent information (lot numbers, concentrations, sources).
- Do not remove pages from physical notebooks.
Both notebooks are shared with the PI and are property of the lab. You may reference them for your own learning, but original notebooks remain with the lab when you leave.

Presenting your work

Present your research progress at least twice per semester in lab meetings.
Consider presenting at undergraduate research symposia or conferences when your project reaches an appropriate stage, in consultation with your mentor and the PI.

4.4 Research Ethics And Integrity

All lab members are expected to uphold the highest standards of research integrity.

Honesty in research

Record all data accurately, including failed experiments and unexpected results.
Never fabricate, falsify, or plagiarize data or ideas.
Report mistakes promptly.

Data management

Maintain clear, complete, and organized records in lab notebooks and digital files.
Store and back up electronic data according to lab guidelines.

Intellectual property

Give appropriate credit for ideas and contributions.
Understand that data generated in the lab belong to the lab and university.
Do not present unpublished data outside the lab without permission from the PI.

If you suspect research misconduct, speak with the PI, your mentor, the department chair, or the university’s research integrity office.

4.5 Requests for Letters & Editing of Drafts

Letters of recommendation

Request letters of recommendation 7–10 days in advance from your graduate student mentor or the PI.
Obtain verbal agreement before listing someone as a reference.
Provide:
- Deadline and purpose of the letter
- Your current CV or resume
- A brief summary of what you would like highlighted
- Submission instructions
The PI will communicate honestly if he feels he does not have sufficient information to write a strong letter; you can use this feedback to decide whether to proceed with the request.

Any applications for fellowships, awards, or professional school that involve writing about research conducted in this lab must be approved by the PI.
Expect 2–3 rounds of revision with your mentor and 1–2 rounds with the PI.
Plan to start at least two weeks before the deadline for short documents or 4–6 weeks for longer ones. Honors thesis requires an even longer span typically.
This process is both to ensure accuracy in describing the lab’s research and to help you build strong scientific writing skills.

4.6 Additional Expectations For Students Taking Research For Credit

For undergraduate researchers enrolled in research courses to receive academic credit:

Prior approval

Inform the PI and obtain approval before signing up for research credit.
Discuss whether the timing and workload are appropriate given your project and other commitments.

Credit hours and time commitment

1 semester hour (s.h.) = 3 hours/week of work in the lab. Example: 3 s.h. = 9 hrs/wk
Time includes regular lab hours, completing lab jobs, and attending lab meetings.

Grading criteria

Grading criteria will be discussed and agreed upon at the beginning of the semester.
Typical elements:
- Consistent attendance and engagement
- Completion of experimental work
- Quality and completeness of lab notebooks
- Research presentation(s)
- Written research report or proposal, depending on credit load and project stage

Mid-term and final evaluations

A mid-term meeting with the PI will evaluate progress and grade trajectory.
A final meeting with the PI will determine the final grade, with input from your graduate student mentor.

Final presentation and/or report

A final oral presentation (15–20 minutes) in one-on-one or lab meetings and/or a written research report is expected.
A typical report includes:
- Introduction with background and research question
- Methods
- Results with figures/tables
- Discussion and future directions
- References
Specific format and length will be set at the beginning of the semester.

5. What Students Can Expect From The PI

From the Principal Investigator (Bin)

Availability and mentorship

Availability for one-on-one meetings about research progress, career goals, and concerns.
At least two meetings per semester (and more as needed).
Guidance on project direction and experimental design.
Email responses in a reasonable timeframe (typically within 48 hours on business days).

Scientific guidance

Feedback on experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Support in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Guidance in reading and understanding primary literature.
Feedback on presentations and written work.

Conflict resolution

Help resolving issues between you and your graduate or peer mentor.
A safe avenue to discuss concerns about lab dynamics or the research environment.
Connection to relevant university resources when appropriate.

Career development

Reference letters for academic and professional opportunities when appropriate.
Advice on career paths in research, medicine, industry, etc.
Support for applications to conferences, fellowships, and programs as feasible.

Supportive environment

Effort to foster a respectful, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating lab culture.
Ensuring access to necessary resources and training.

From Your Graduate Student Mentor

Day-to-day training in laboratory techniques and research methods.
Regular meetings (weekly or bi-weekly) to discuss your project.
Guidance on experimental design, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
Feedback on notebooks, presentations, and writing.
Advocacy for you within the lab and communication with the PI about your progress.

From the lab and institution

Professional Development Opportunities

The lab encourages you to pursue:

Undergraduate research symposia and poster/oral presentations.
Local, regional, or national scientific conferences (when projects reach an appropriate level).
Undergraduate research fellowships and summer programs.
Honors theses based on your lab work (with appropriate planning and commitment).
Publications when contributions and project stage warrant authorship.

Authorship on publications

Undergraduates who make substantial contributions to a project may be included as co-authors on publications.
Typically, this means the student is involved in all or most of the design, execution of the experiments, analysis and interpretation of the data, and writing and revision of the manuscript.
Authorship expectations and author order should be discussed early in the project and revisited as the project evolves.

Caring For Your Mental Health And Well-Being

Your well-being matters.

Setbacks and failed experiments are normal in research.
Talk with your mentor or the PI if you feel overwhelmed or overstretched.
Coursework comes first; we will work with you to balance responsibilities.
Use campus mental health resources as needed.

6. Leaving the Lab

When you complete your time in the lab (graduation, semester end, or transition):

Complete your work

Bring ongoing experiments to a logical stopping point.
Ensure lab notebooks are complete and up to date.
Organize samples and clearly label anything that remains.

Transfer knowledge

Meet with your mentor to review project status.
If someone will continue your project, walk them through key protocols and data.
Organize digital files so that others can access them.

Clean your space

Clean and reset your bench.
Dispose of waste appropriately.
Return shared equipment and materials.

Exit meeting

Meet with the PI to:
- Go over all the above.
- Reflect on your experience.
- Provide feedback on the undergraduate research program.
- Discuss future plans and continued support (e.g., letters).

Stay in touch

Update the PI and your mentor about your future steps.
Reach out for advice or letters when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I can’t make a lab meeting due to a course conflict?
A: Communicate with the PI as soon as you know about the conflict. Occasional conflicts are understandable, but consistent attendance is important.

Q: What if I need to miss lab time due to illness or emergency?
A: Notify your graduate mentor and the PI as soon as possible. For illness, prioritize recovery; we can discuss how to make up missed work.

Q: How do I know if I’m doing well in the lab?
A: Ask for feedback. Your mentor and the PI can provide informal feedback throughout the semester, as well as more formal feedback in mid-term and end-of-term meetings.

Q: Can I work on my own independent project?
A: Usually students begin by contributing to existing projects. After demonstrating reliability and independence, there may be opportunities to pursue more independent questions within the lab’s research scope.

Q: What if I’m not getting along with my mentor?
A: Try to discuss concerns directly with your mentor first. If that does not resolve things, talk with the PI, who can help mediate or explore alternative mentoring arrangements.

Q: Can I get paid for my lab work?
A: Paid positions depend on funding availability and are usually offered to students who have shown strong commitment and performance over multiple semesters. Discuss this with the PI if you’re interested.

Acknowledgment and Agreement

By joining the lab as an undergraduate researcher, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by the expectations outlined in this document. You also understand what you can expect from the PI, your mentors, and the lab community.

Undergraduate Researcher Name (print): _______________________________

Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __________

Principal Investigator Name (Bin [Last Name]): ________________________