Rudra Lab Expectations

We are extremely fortunate to be a part of the McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, which is recognized as a leader in providing scientific insights, enabling the development of technologies critical to solving fundamental research challenges of the world today, and preparing students for the rapidly evolving world of tomorrow. You will be training in an environment that prioritizes excellence, integrity, communication, and collaboration. In general, I expect you to:

Plan, design, and conduct high quality scientific research. 

Lab members are expected to take full responsibility for their research project and to be passionate.

Passion is rushing to see if your peptide synthesis is complete, or if your cell cultures and animal colonies are healthy, or coming to the lab on a Sunday afternoon so that your Monday begins on a productive note.

Integrity is strictly expected, and I trust that all data you acquire is through experimentation conducted with honesty and diligence. 

Curiosity is wanting to know why something didn’t work, breaking things that do work to better understand them, and always questioning the nature and function of systems you encounter. You are encouraged to share your mistakes, negative results, and remember that there are no dumb questions so please continue asking until you understand. 

Hard work to achieve your experimental end goals will ultimately determine whether your passion, curiosity, and integrity bear fruit. While excellence in ideas and planning is fantastic, it is all for naught if not completed in a timely fashion. Create your plans carefully and execute them efficiently so that you have something to present at lab meetings.