First Year Lab Rotation Policy

First year students of the Immunology Training Program are required to rotate in three different labs for 3-month periods. A fourth rotation is possible if needed. Rotation dates are listed below: (beginning/ending dates vary according to calendar years)

• October 1 – December 31
• January 2 – March 31
• April 1 – June 30

At the end of the first and second rotations, students will present their rotation project in a 10-15 minute oral presentation scheduled as a luncheon gathering, attended by faculty/students.

How to choose a lab

1. Review the list of faculty and select those whose research interests you. Make appointments with the faculty of choice to discuss their research, as well as to see if they have room for a rotating student. In a few cases, faculty request that students not rotate in the lab during certain time frames (i.e. they are out of town, etc). We will distribute a list of such labs during orientation.
2. For the first rotation, students should make a list of five labs, ranked based on your interest level. Return the list to Lin Reavis-Lyons by September 25th. The list will be reviewed and we will try to accommodate everyone with their first choice.
3. For the second rotation, you will repeat the process, meeting with faculty and again making a list of labs. This list may be a significantly different list than you submitted for the first rotation. Submit this list by December 15th.
4. During the first and the second rotations, no more than one student per lab is permitted.
5. The third rotation is decided jointly by the student and faculty member. In the third rotation only, provided the faculty agrees, more than one student can rotate in the same lab. You must notify Lin of your third rotation location.
6. If several students wish to rotate in the same laboratory, a chance-based method will be used for selecting the lucky student!
7. Although it is preferred, it is not a requirement that students choose one of the labs they have rotated in as Ph.D. lab. However, a fourth rotation may be considered before the final decision is made.
8. Laboratories not affiliated with the Graduate Program in Immunology may be chosen for rotations.
9. If you are interested in rotating in a lab in the National Institute of Aging at Bayview (Sen and Gearhart for now) please keep in mind that there needs to be security clearance prior to working. This has a lead time of 4-6 weeks and will require some pre-planning.
10. Faculty will complete an evaluation form after each rotation.

IMPORTANT: Please notify Lin of each rotation

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