Bienvenides

HOLA!

Welcome to the Vincent-Ruz Lab Handbook, your go-to guide for everything about our lab’s ethos, methods, and research. As the Principal Investigator (PI), I’ve found that one of my biggest challenges is balancing training you on research with creating an environment where everyone’s voice matters. That’s why I’ve put together this handbook—to give you a roadmap for your journey in our lab. It’s not meant to replace our mentorship relationship, but to ensure we stick to the values we hold dear.

You will also notice that on this handbook you can make comments! That is because this is meant to be a living document of your voices. I don’t want this handbook to remain static, rather to improve it little by little as a community.

So, here’s the big picture of what you can expect from me as the PI:

1. Generating a Supportive Environment and Ensuring Well-being:

My priority is to make sure everyone feels valued and safe to be themselves while promoting well-being. This means we’ll have open, productive discussions on tough topics and practice restorative justice when needed.

2. Understanding Your Development:

I’m invested in your personal and professional growth. That includes honing your research, presentation, and scientific writing skills, but also helping you pave the way for your future career—whether it’s in our field or beyond.

3. Investing in Proactive Mentorship:

I won’t wait for you to come to me. We’ll craft individual development plans and have regular check-ins to ensure I’m supporting you effectively.

4. Delivering Transparency:

You’ll always know what’s expected of you, from work hours to productivity to expected time-to-degree. Plus, I’ll be clear about funding options and support available to you.

5. Embracing Feedback and Honoring Voices:

I’m committed to providing accurate scientific citations, acknowledging the contributions of others, and fostering an atmosphere of integrity and respect in our research endeavors. Your feedback is crucial in helping me become a better mentor, and I’m dedicated to honoring and incorporating it into our lab practices.

Speaking of accurate scientific citations, this handbook is based on the Public Version of the CLEAR Lab Book (CLEAR, 2021). Whenever I use their work or the work of others throughout this handbook you will find the citations at the bottom of the page.

Remember, we’re here to GUIDE each other—let’s make our journey in the Vincent-Ruz Lab a fulfilling and enriching one together! How I mentor you doesn’t just affect you—it impacts future generations of scientists. Let’s work together to create a supportive and inspiring environment for everyone in our lab.

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