<p>So I am a sophomore right now and have been working in this molecular bio/genetics lab for the past 8 months. I’m currently the only undergrad in the lab, and I have been doing the same laborious protocols for those same 8 months. I started in May, and during summer, May - August, I got a lot done, ie cell culture, PCR, and LOTS of genotyping, other interesting things, but my PCR never consistently worked. I’ve been working with an MDPhD student on his experiment, basically genotyping his mice, but since my PCR didn’t work, I just did the dna purifications and he did the genotyping. All of last (fall) semester I couldn’t get the PCR to work, so I just did genotyping, and wasn’t able to go to any lab meetings b/c of class and was just incredibly busy. The PI and I don’t really talk or see each other much, and there really wasn’t much else going on. I asked for my own project at the end of last semester, and my PI told me that he just didn’t think I had been putting in enough effort towards fixing the PCR and didn’t feel confident giving me an independent project. Now the new semester has started, and I’ve ironed out the kinks in the PCR (after 8 months), and I’ve been assigned to manage (create and genotype) my own inbred mouse colony, but still no sign of an independent project. Also, I don’t think my PI has the best impression of me, and still no hope of publication, coauthoring, etc. I want to do an honors thesis down the road and get a LOR from this PI, but I don’t know if in 1 or 2 years he will have a great LOR for me b/c of my shaky startup. I have been thinking of switching labs at the end of the semester if things don’t pick up, but my PI is very well known in the world of cancer research and is the chief of the department of molecular medicine and genetics in the med school of our university, so he’s very well-regarded overall. Should I switch labs if things don’t get better, or should I stick it out??? sorry if that was long</p>
<p>anybody…?</p>
<p>I think your situation in your current lab is pretty decent. I certainly wouldn’t fault the PI for not giving you your own project after you can’t even get a PCR to work in 8 months’ time. </p>
<p>However, if you are desperate for your own project, then you should probably join a new lab. Keep in mind, each time you join a new lab, there’s a whole new set of protocols to learn and master. You’ll have to earn the trust of the PI all over again. Very few undergrads publish (even when they have their own projects) because they simply can’t devote enough time to their research while going to schol at the same time. The easiest way for you to get a cheap publication might be leech onto a grad student. If your PI is generous, you might get your name on the pub even though it was basically someone else’s project.</p>