Lab Research | MS in Pharmacology

• Overview
• Examples of M.S. Student Research
• Research Mentors

Overview

Approximately half of the students in the MS Program in Pharmacology choose to have a laboratory experience as a part of the degree. Choosing the Laboratory Research Track allows the student to be engaged in a research project in both the fall and spring semesters.  In the fall, both Tuesdays and Thursdays are free, and in the Spring, every afternoon of the week is free.

The purpose of the laboratory experience is to give the student exposure to “real science.” Many MS students already have some laboratory experience and this is a chance to increase that portion of your CV. For those with limited or no research background, it provides an excellent opportunity for an introduction to “wet lab” research.

Students become engaged in a research project that is either ongoing or new. The project is discussed at the beginning of the fall, papers are given to allow the student to learn more about the research area and specific project and then daily or weekly meetings are used to keep track of progress and to troubleshoot problems. Usually MS students work with someone advanced in laboratory skills, such as a PhD student, a post-doc, or a Research Professor. Students who plan to go on to a PhD program or work in a laboratory-based position in biotech or big pharma are strongly encouraged to do the Laboratory Research Track.

Students admitted to the program will receive information in the early summer about connecting with research mentors for the fall.  Our faculty directory contains a list of faculty who have successfully mentored previous M.S. students, however their inclusion on the list does not guarantee their availability to serve as a mentor. Availability each year depends on lab capacity and mentor obligations; students admitted to the program will receive information in the early summer about connecting with available research mentors for the fall. If you wish to work in a lab outside our department, permission from the program director is required in advance. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate requests to work in labs outside of Georgetown.

Students doing the Laboratory Research Track need to take mandatory Lab Safety & Radiation Safety sessions in late August. If you will be doing a project involving animals, you must also attend a training session given by the Department of Comparative Medicine. Details will be provided in the early summer to admitted students. 

Near the end of the academic year, usually in April, students participating in research prepare and present a poster to the department. This is an excellent way to learn about scientific presentations and gives the opportunity to ‘bring it all together’ at the end.

Examples of M.S. Student Research