What the Students Have to Say:

Research in General

Society recognizes research as a worthwhile endeavor, worthy of public support. It this way, research is like art--it requires a patron, and it is not necessarily evaluated according to the dictates of the marketplace which govern many other aspects of our society. It is a privilege to do research. To me, the highest form of freedom and self-expression is to be able to find what fascinates me and spend my life trying to understand its secrets. -Noah Merin, MD/PhD Student in the Amaral Lab

Research in graduate school is a great way to earn money. You are doing something you WANT to do for pretty good money. Every day is a little different, and much of your day-to-day schedule is up to you. On top of that, you steer much of your course through graduate school. On the other hand, if you prefer more guidance (or get stuck once or twice), your professor is more than willing to lend a hand. Sometimes, they even come up with good advice! Just kidding.

You will also learn to think in an analytical and surprisingly logical fashion. Slowly but surely, we absorb the excellent critical thinking skills on complex issues shown by our professors in the many student-faculty discussions. And we hone those skills in a completely supportive environment.

One of the best plus's of working in research is the opportunity to do unique work, and to be one of the few world experts on whatever it is you are working on. A side benefit is a marked improvement in communications skills, so you can tell other experts in the field, other neuroscientists not in your field, and your sister what you do for a living!

-Trish Harness, Graduate Student in the Britten Lab UC Davis provides a supportive environment for young research scientists, as well as the tools and resources needed for a variety of research interests. Our lab utilizes the California Regional Primate Research Center (located in Davis) for neuroanatomical and behavioral studies on rhesus macaques. Other labs rely on access to unique patient populations or state of the art equipment for their research. There are amazing resources available to neuroscience graduate students at UC Davis to facilitate a broad spectrum of research. -Melissa Prather, Graduate Student in the Amaral Lab Back to What the Students Have to Say!