<p>I recently finished a research project in a lab at a medical school under the supervision of a professor there. I am now a Siemens Westinghouse semifinalist with my project, and, more importantly, I had a blast with my overall reseach experience. My supervising professor was extremely helpful with everything, esp. critiquing my paper and letting me bounce ideas off of him. Additionally, he just wrote an AWESOME rec for me for college apps.</p>
<p>I (and my parents) would like to do something for him, whether it be some sort of a gift or something else. Truthfully, I have know idea as to what to get this guy. Any ideas of something that’s both meaningful and professional?</p>
<p>Congratulations on your semifinalist status! That’s a very big deal.</p>
<p>First off, a sincere thank you note is always both meaningful and professional. </p>
<p>As for a gift, a lot depends on how well you know him. If you have any idea what he’d actually like, you can get more personal. Otherwise, you want neutral. Would a really nice edition of a book he likes be appropriate? A gift certificate for a favorite restaurant? A print from a favorite artist, framed in plexiglass so it’s safe for the lab? Movie passes? Museum passes? A new umbrella? A hand-knit scarf?</p>
<p>But seriously, the thank you note is crucial.</p>
<p>I second the suggestion of a sincere thank you note. Nothing will be as meaningful to this person as a letter that tells him how much the experience actually meant to you and what you gained from it. It could also be useful because it could be included in his professional portfolio as supporting evidence of supervision of student research. </p>
<p>As far as an accompanying gift, I recommend something consumable. As an elementary school teacher who receives many gifts I can tell you that the best ones are things I don’t have to find a place to put. Movie passes, gift certificates to anywhere, etc. are great. The amount doesn’t matter as it is the thought that is appreciated.</p>
<p>Congratulations! As others have said, the thank you note is key. Another idea is to do something nice for his grad students and post-docs. I don’t know how the lab is arranged, but if the lab team helped make your experience a great one (as I’m assuming they did), you can thank him by thanking them. It will mean a lot to him that you valued his lab, and that you recognized the contributions that everyone made to your success. Movie passes, gift certs to restaurants are all good ideas – And of course you will be much blessed by the assorted spouses and boyfriends/girlfriends of the lab team. They “don’t get out much.” :)</p>