[nabs-l] doing research in a lab and a blindness question

[Mary Fernandez]

Hi,
If it is the professor and not an assistant, yes, by all means email
her, and let her know that you are still interested in her research,
however, you are blind and cannot watch rats on videos. However, there
are plenty of ways  that oyu could effectively work in a lab, so
request a meeting. Let her know though, since that way se will be able
to think about ways htat you could work. Also, I hope you sent her a
resume, so that she knows about your experience and evaluates you on
that rathr than on your blindness.
Mary

On 10/26/09, Cindy Bennett <clb5590 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am very interested in working in the psych lab on campus. There are
> opportunities for undergrad students to get course credit for doing
> this, but they have to interview with and be accepted by a professor.
> I met with one of my psych professors today who I know does research
> just to learn the logistics of the process, and he told me a lot of
> details and answered a lot of my questions which was helpful. So I am
> now in the process of corresponding with professors whose research
> interests me.
>
> My question is this. In my initial email, I simply expressed my
> interest cordially and explained why I was interested in their
> research. However, I got a reply of a professor who is willing to work
> with me, but her research is concentrated on observing rats’ behavior
> and taking measures such as wait and stuff. She may very well be the
> only professor to reply positively to my desire to do research with,
> so I want to say in an effective way that I may not be able to perform
> these tasks, but I am still interested in meeting with her to discuss
> whether there are jobs that I could effectively do in her lab. Should
> I just respond that I am interested and arrange a time to meet, or
> should I say that I am blind in my email but still request a time to
> meet as well as mention the fact that there still might be ways in
> which I contribute? I guess what I am curious about is, is it wrong
> for me to say that I am interested but rather than meet with her to
> confirm things like my response would connote, I would really be
> meeting with her to let her know that there are several aspects of her
> data collection that I cannot do? Should I turn down the opportunity?
> I am all about the belief that I can do anything, but I wouldn’t want
> some professor to take me on if there wasn’t enough things that I
> could effectively do.
>
> I would appreciate your input; in whatever I say, I just want to be
> sure not to make my blindness look like a major hindrance, because
> then she might rethink whether she wants to accept me, but I don’t
> want to mislead her.
>
> Thanks, and any lab tips that any of you experienced research
> assistants have are helpful.
>
> Cindy
>
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-- 
Mary Fernandez
Emory University 2012
P.O. Box 123056
Atlanta Ga.
30322
Phone: 732-857-7004
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