Chapter 2 Expectations

2.1 General

We will kill many insects during our research activities. While science can be both challenging and rewarding, it’s important for us to make the most of every organism’s life. Thus, we need to report and communicate our observations in a productive and honest manner. I believe this could be achieved when we fully enjoy the science and make the lab a great place. To build a positive environment, we all are expected to do a few things:

  • Work on what you are passionate about and proud of. Avoid something fishy.
  • Work carefully and strategically. Do not rush.
  • Be honest with yourself and others. If you make a mistake, we must admit and correct it however embarrassing. Also, know and avoid academic misconduct.
  • Be supportive of your lab mates: We are a team. Science is collaboration, not competition.
  • Respect your colleagues: their strengths and weaknesses, working style, culture, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, and personality quirks. Science is for everyone.
  • Respect yourself: your health and happiness come first. If you are struggling, tell someone. We want to help each other out.
  • Tension or hostility in the lab has to be solved. If any problems between lab members cannot be dealt with, please tell NM.

What trainees expect of PI (NM)

  • I will give my perspective on the lab direction of research and environments and be open to feedback from the lab members. I will obtain funding from external sources to achieve this (including paying for salaries and conducting research).
  • I will be available to guide you and provide advice, including (but not limited to) research progress, papers, presentations, proposals, scientific problems, and personnel issues.
  • I will give you feedback on time, both in-person or by email (see Section PI Availability).
  • I will Approve all abstracts and manuscripts that come from the lab.
  • I will support your career development (e.g., introducing you to other researchers in the field, writing letters of recommendation, nominating you for awards).
  • I care about the emotional and physical well-being of lab members. I will help you find the physical and mental space to do your work.
  • I will continue to improve my communication skills to achieve all these.

What PI (NM) expects of you

  • I expect you to communicate well, which includes informing me about any issues affecting your progress and actively seeking my feedback and advice. I am here to help you, so please use me effectively. I will be checking in on you, but if you don’t communicate your needs, I will not be able to help you. Even if your problem is out of my expertise, I may know somebody who can help.
  • I value daily communication and expect a physical presence in the lab, office, and meetings (see Lab meetings and seminars). Flexibility is important for productivity, so you don’t need to ask me every time to take a day off, work unusual times, or work from home. But I expect that you will let me know if you will not be around for a while (e.g., a week).
  • If I train you, pay for, and provide feedback on your work, I generally expect authorship credit on resulting publications and presentations. While I am open to independent side projects by trainees, it is essential that you communicate these explicitly so we can set clear expectations regarding time and credit. See Authorship and do not hesitate to talk to me.
  • I expect you to bring good morals and a positive attitude. Respect others with different backgrounds and perspectives.

2.2 Graduate School

  • Take the Assessment Pre-test. Message Dr. Hardy , and provide your name and Auburn ID number. He will reply with an invitation to join an Assessment course. This pre-test will subsequently be accessible to you through your Auburn University canvas page. This exam is not a reported grade but is used to evaluate general entomoligcal knowledge gained through core curriculum and our teaching assessment goals.
  • First semester
    • Develop your plan of study (course list over time)
  • Before the end of the second semester
    • Form your graduate Advisory Committee
    • Present a proposal seminar to your committee (MS) or the department (PhD)
    • Conduct your literature review and draft a proposal document
  • Annual Responsibilities
    • Submit an annual evaluation document and review this evaluation every year. Annual evaluations are due by the end of Dec each year and must use the pre-determined form. Evaluations will be conducted sometime in January or February.
    • Update the graduate committee on the progress of their project.
  • Outgoing students (before you leave AU)
    • Plan for your pay to end effective the day of graduation
    • Discuss with NM the plans for publications of each publishable unit from your thesis or dissertation if not already published. Ensure we can access all research data files (inc. codes).
    • Seek employment in careers that employ the skills they gained while in the program.
    • Take the Assessment Post-test. Before the end of the graduation semester, message Dr. Hardy , providing your name and Auburn ID number. He will reply with an invitation to join an Assessment course. Using your Auburn ID, it will compare your pre and post-test grades. This score is not reported individually on your transcript. It is used to evaluate knowledge gained and our teaching assessment goals.

2.3 Skills

We expect you to develop these skills. See Technologies.

  • Knowing how to handle and maintain your studying organisms
  • Using R for statistical analysis and data analysis. You may also use it for modeling and simple simulations.
  • Using Python for image and video analysis.
  • Being able to use command-line interfaces, such as Command prompt and PowerShell
  • Building presentation and public communication skills at a regional or national scientific meeting or through opportunities to do outreach, guest lectures, or participate in local poster or oral paper competitions.
  • Maintaining an organized lab notebook with appropriate back-ups of handwritten or electronic documents. Students should also be able to produce data, graphs, or documents upon request.
  • Effectively manage your time and meet deadlines.