Philosophy

We are an interdisciplinary research team that values integrity, creativity, personal and professional growth. We are committed to creating an environment that fosters diversity and inclusion. We believe that working with people with different ethnicities and cultures is enlightening and deeply rewarding as we learn from one another. We embrace and encourage the opportunity to work with people from different genders, races, backgrounds and with distinct perspectives. We are committed to constantly improving our inclusive culture and their positive influence on our professional interactions.

Guidelines for Graduate Students

Based on ‘Graduate Mentee Contract’ by Professor Trina MacMahon, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chung Lab guideline for graduate students:    

What you can expect from me

  • The success of every member of our group is my top priority, no matter their personal strengths and weaknesses, or career goals.

  • I will try to be available as much as possible.

  • You are responsible for keeping up with deadlines and being knowledgeable about requirements for your specific program.

    However, I am available to help you interpret these requirements, select appropriate coursework, and select committee members for your PhD training.

  • If you have a problem, come and see me. I will do my best to help you solve it.

  • I am committed to your education and training while you are in my lab, and to advising and guiding your career development - to the degree you wish - long after you leave. I will provide honest letters of evaluation for you when you request them.

  • …such as oral and written communication, grant writing, lab management, mentoring, and scientific professionalism. I will encourage you to see opportunities in teaching, even if not required for your degree program. I will also strongly encourage you to gain practice in mentoring undergraduates.

  • You can generally expect to attend at least one major conference per year, when you have material to present. Please use conferences as an opportunity to further your education. If you register for a conference, I expect you to attend the scientific sessions and participate in conference activities during the time you are there. Travel fellowships are available through the Departments. I will help you identify and apply for these opportunities.

  • These can create unnecessary conflict within the lab and among collaborators. It is important that we communicate openly and regularly about them. Do not hesitate to voice concerns when you have them.

  • I am mindful that each student comes from a different background and has different professional goals. I view my role as fostering your professional confidence and encouraging your critical thinking and creativity. If my attempts to do this are not effective for you, I am open to talking with you about other ways to achieve these goals.

What I expect from you

  • Be honest, ethical, and enthusiastic

  • Openly share your data and research outcome with your colleagues

  • Learn how to plan, design, and conduct high-quality scientific research

  • Learn how to present and document your scientific findings

  • Be engaged within the research group and broader research community on campus

  • Treat your lab mates, lab funds, equipment, and animals with respect

  • Be responsible for your lab job.

YOU WILL TAKE OWNERSHIP OVER YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Make sure that you also use this time to communicate new ideas that you have about your work and challenges that you are facing. Remember: I cannot address or advise about issues that you do not bring to my attention.

  • MIT has outstanding resources in place to support professional development for students. I expect you to take full advantage of these resources, since part of becoming a successful engineer or scientist involves more than just doing academic research. All graduate degree programs require attendance at a weekly seminar. Various organizations on campus engage in science outreach and information education activities. Attendance at conferences and workshops will also provide professional development opportunities. When you attend a conference, I expect you to seek out these opportunities to make the most of your attendance.

YOU WILL BE A TEAM PLAYER

  • Participation in group meetings does not mean only presenting your own work, but providing support to others in the lab through shared insight. Do your part to create a climate of engagement and mutual respect.

  • Take part in shared laboratory responsibilities and use laboratory resources carefully and frugally. Maintain a safe and clean laboratory space where data and research participant confidentiality are protected. Be respectful to, tolerant of, and work collegially with all laboratory colleagues: respect individual differences in values, personalities, work styles, and theoretical perspectives.

  • Engage in collaborations within and beyond our lab group. Collaborations are more than just publishing papers together. They demand effective and frequent communication, mutual respect, trust, and shared goals. Effective collaboration is an extremely important component of the mission of our lab.

  • This includes other members of the lab as well as those outside the lab.

YOU WILL DEVELOP STRONG RESEARCH SKILLS

  • The “currency” in science is published papers: they drive a lot of what we do. We have an obligation to complete and disseminate our findings. I will push you to publish your research as you move through your training program, not only at the end. Students pursuing a doctoral degree will be expected to lead author on at least two journal paper submissions.

  • The feedback you get from me, your colleagues, your committee members, and your course instructors is intended to improve your scientific work.

YOU WILL COMMUNICATE CLEARLY

  • If you feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or want additional support, please overtly ask for it. I welcome these conversations and view them as necessary.

  • If there is something about my mentoring style that is proving difficult for you, please tell me so that you give me an opportunity to find an approach that works for you. No single style works for everyone; no one style is expected to work all of the time.

  • Respond promptly (in most cases, within 48 hours) to emails from anyone in our lab group and show up on time and prepare for meetings. If you need time to gather information in response to an email, please acknowledge receipt of the message and indicate when you will be able to provide the requested information.

  • Consult with me and notify fellow lab members in advance of any planned absences. I believe that work-life balance and vacation time are essential for creative thinking and good health and encourage you to take regular vacations.

  • This is a valuable experience! Undergraduates working in the lab should be encouraged to contribute to the writing of manuscripts. If you wish to add other individuals as authors to your papers, please discuss this with me early on and before discussing the situation with the potential coauthors.