Fall Quarter 2023
Week 1: Introductions and Cold-Emailing 10.2.2023
Welcome to PULSAR! Looking for a potential lab? Join us and learn how to efficiently and effectively search for labs and emailing professors with the guidance of graduate students. Conducting research is an excellent way to gain experiences and skills that benefit you both academically and professionally. PULSAR is here to help you get involved in research at UCLA and connects you with graduate students with extensive lab experience. In this meeting we will be going over techniques for the cold-emailing process, as well as searching for labs and utilizing the Undergraduate Research Portal.
Week 2: Lab Tours with our Graduate Student Mentors
Interested in learning more about what a lab setting looks like? Our very own Graduate Student Mentors will be leading tours of their labs! Tours will be held throughout Week 2, and sign-ups will be held during week one with priority given to those who attend the first meeting in-person as spots are unfortunately limited. You will get a glimpse of basic-science research and what it is like to work in a wet-lab!
Week 3: PI Talk |
10.16.2023
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Interested in graduate school or learning what exactly a PI does? This meeting will feature Dr. Mehdi Bouhaddou, a professor at UCLA in the MIMG Department studying the biological principles that govern the interplay between viruses and host signaling, who will give insight into the journey of academic research, managing a lab, and what qualities professors look for in undergraduate researchers. You will also get to hear an overview of his lab's work and have the ability to ask questions about academic research.
Week 5: Resume Workshop
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10.30.2023
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Want to apply for labs but are unsure of your application materials? This week’s meeting will be your opportunity to get feedback on your CVs/Resumes by both undergraduate researchers and our graduate student mentors. Be sure to bring a resume for us to work on!
Week 7: Interview Workshop
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11.13.2023
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Interviewing is an important skill to have in research whether you're applying for labs or already in one. Every good interview follows lots of practice, join us in Week 7 to practice your interview skills with undergraduate and graduate student mentors.
Week 9: Q&A Panel, SPUR, and Social! |
11.27.2023
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Want to ask any of our team questions regarding school, research, or just lifestyle? This meeting will have all of that AND information regarding summer research program applications!
Winter Quarter 2024
Week 1: PI Talk
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1.9.2024
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Interested in graduate school or learning what exactly a PI does? This meeting will feature Dr. Lena Pernas, a professor at UCLA in the MIMG Department studying the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions from toxoplasmosis infections, who will give insight into the journey of academic research, managing a lab, and what qualities professors look for in undergraduate researchers. You will also get to hear an overview of her lab's work and have the ability to ask questions about academic research.
Week 3: Life as a Graduate Student
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1.23.2024
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Two of our graduate student mentors will serve as panelists and respond to moderated questions and Q&A with attendees. Topics will include how and why they started research, how to balance research with classes and other activities, and how research is helping towards your future career/academic goals.
Week 5: Undergraduate Research and Application Materials Workshop
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2.6.2024
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Stop by and chat with our undergraduate student mentors currently in research and receive assistance with lab-seeking and personalized feedback on any application materials including, but not limited to, CVs, cover letters, and cold-emails.
Week 7: Study Session and Office Hours |
2.20.2024
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Come study with us as the quarter wraps up!
Week 9: Social! |
3.5.2024
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Stay tuned for the End of Quarter Boba, Jackbox, and Trivia Night Social!
Spring Quarter 2024
Week 1: PI Talk
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4.1.2024
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Interested in graduate school or learning what exactly a PI does? This meeting will feature Dr. Oliver Fregoso, a professor at UCLA in the MIMG Department studying the host cell response to lentivirus-mediated DNA damage, with an emphasis on HIV. He will emphasize his journey navigating research and entry into academia and provide insight into what PIs look for in potential undergraduate researchers.
Week 3: Application Materials Workshop
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4.16.2024
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Want to apply for labs but are unsure of your application materials? This week’s meeting will be your opportunity to get feedback on your CVs/Resumes and Cold Emails by both undergraduate researchers and our graduate student mentors.
Week 5: Abstract and Presentation Workshop
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4.30.2024
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Scientific communication is a crucial component for research. Being able to write a robust abstract and give a succinct presentation will allow you to effectively explain what you're working on without confusing your audience. We highly encourage those in research labs and are interested in presenting their research to attend.
Week 7: No Meeting
Week 8: PULSAR Undergraduate Research Symposium
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5.22.2024
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See the Undergraduate Research Week tab for more information!
Week 9: Social
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TBD
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Stay tuned for more information about this quarter's social