Basic science research on the best day is not easy. Basic science research with restricted access to lab space and resources during a pandemic is simply onerous. While this is an uncertain, unprecedented time, Penn PhD students are resilient and can still make lemonade while wearing a mask, either at home or in lab. We all simply have to come together and support one another to tame this uncharted beast of pandemic research life. Here are some tips to help you navigate the PhD life with limited time at the bench. This article is peppered with quotes from current students - the CAMB newsletter thanks all of the amazing students for their contributions!
Plan, plan, and plan some more!
It is imperative that you plan out each week. When are you allowed in lab, and what experiments will you do each day? How long will your procedures take and are there specific core facility hours that you need to plan around? Do you need assistance from a labmate and are they willing to go over their experimental technique tips virtually ahead of time? Even if you plan beautifully, chances are that your lab productivity will be decreased compared to normal. Do not fret and just keep doing what you can. Always, and especially during this time, do not measure your success by the success of your experiments. Work hard, but “try to disconnect your self-worth from your research/presentation/grant success as much as possible both to safeguard your mental health as well as avoid bias that might prevent you from improving your work.” And one very important point - if you have opted out of research resumption, you are still valued. You can be just as productive at home by doing a deep dive into sequencing data, learning computational skills, exploring the literature, or rigorously planning experiments you can do once back on campus.
Write those grants!
Even though your time in lab is limited (and for some, still on hold), this is a fantastic opportunity to get ahead on some writing. Whether it’s a grant application, the introduction to a future paper, or a creative piece to occupy the nights that would otherwise be spent at a happy hour, you can do it now. Keep in mind that you don’t need to be an expert on grant writing - especially if this is your first grant, so, reach out for help via email or set up a BlueJeans meeting with an experienced writer if you are struggling. Asking for help is always better than grappling with words by yourself at home. Call on your fellow classmates, a post doc, your PI, your program chair; someone will always be more than happy to chat, especially now. “Have as many people with different backgrounds/areas of expertise and levels of scientific literacy as possible proofread and give feedback on your work!” Get started early and write often. “The first draft is always the hardest. Don’t try and make it perfect. Be kind to yourself; it’ll get there.” It is also key to observe some universal grant etiquette: don’t wait until the last minute to write, send out drafts for editing, or ask for letters of recommendation. Give your supporting cast at least a month heads-up, and make sure to thank them afterwards. Once we get back on campus, thank them in person too - a little gratitude goes a long way!
Participate during your lab meetings, journal clubs, and seminars
Virtual science is difficult for everyone, but try to stay involved and maximize your academic engagement. Make virtual seminars interesting for everyone by asking questions in the Q&A chat or by sending a follow-up email to the speaker. In lab meetings, don’t be scared to add a comment or question (whether insightful, clarifying, or basic); everyone will be more engaged and the discussion will be more captivating. You alone can direct how to get the most out of your development as a scientist while life is in this unusual, virtual format; make your voice heard! “Start to build relationships with students, post docs, and faculty members in your everyday life, so you can reach out to help when you need it. You must be your own advocate - do not wait until you are struggling to begin to seek out help.” And as a general tip, make sure your BlueJeans video is professional: have a tidy background (even if you’re calling in from your basement like Dr. Ben Prosser :P), have some light in front of you instead of behind (to avoid backlit and washed out videos), oh, and MUTE YOURSELF if you are not talking!
Hang out with your friends! (In a socially distant and/or virtual manner)
These times are especially isolating but do not cut yourself off from people! Schedule a video chat to catch up with your friends using Google Hangouts or Zoom. Set up a movie night through Netflix Party, Prime Video Watch Party, or YouTube Party. Plan a weekly BlueJeans happy hour with your lab, or try a virtual game night with your cohort. Try a smaller scale hangout and just FaceTime your friend or labmate. With public places starting to open up and lockdowns starting to ease, have a picnic in Rittenhouse Square, along the banks of the Schuylkill River Trail, or at Penn Park. There is plenty of outdoor space to hang out in while social distancing! And don’t forget to wear your masks and follow distancing guidelines!! “Wear a mask because this pandemic isn’t over, and vulnerable populations are not disposable populations.”
Here at the CAMB Student Newsletter, we wish everyone the best during this trying time. Good luck to all students who are faced with grants, papers, prelims, and just everyday life this coming year. Remember, you are all still learning and can always reach out, no matter if it is in person or virtually. We’re all in Grad School, not Grad You Already Know Everything. Even in 2020, no one has 20/20 vision of the future; we can only make the most of what life gives us in the present. So, seize the day! Be flexible, be resilient, and support each other within CAMB and beyond.
Some additional resources:
Page dedicated to valuing grad students, https://www.upenn.edu/pages/valuing-grad-students
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), https://caps.wellness.upenn.edu/CAPS
Self-care page with helpful tips and exercises, https://caps.wellness.upenn.edu/selfhelp/
Student Intervention Services, https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/intervention.php
Graduate Student Center, www.gsc.upenn.edu/resources
Biomedical Graduate Student Association (BGSA), http://www.med.upenn.edu/bgsa/
Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL) https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/