With nearly 60 participating faculty labs, the MCO program provides an invaluable opportunity for graduate students to observe and participate in a variety of laboratory environments. During the first year, students will complete a minimum of three 8-week rotations before selecting a thesis lab. The majority of the rotations are expected to be with MCO faculty. The rotations will expose them to a wide range of research concepts, techniques, and model systems. Additionally, these rotations offer networking opportunities and usher MCO graduate students into an extended community of Harvard scientists. Ultimately these immersive experiences will inform each student’s selection of a lab best suited to their doctoral research.
Finding a Lab Rotation
Opportunities to explore potential lab rotations include:
- Attending presentations by program faculty during orientation and lab open houses during the fall or meeting lab members during departmental retreats
- Meeting with a neutral advisor or Director of Graduate Studies at the beginning of September
- Scheduling individual meetings with prospective faculty mentors