When I first came to Princeton, already interested in neuroscience research, I kept hearing about all the incredible opportunities available to undergraduates. Professors conducting groundbreaking neuroscience studies, cutting-edge labs filled with brilliant minds—it all sounded amazing. But as a first-year student, I had no idea how to actually get involved. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, while I was stuck wondering: Where do I even start? Will a professor really take time to mentor someone like me? If I cold-email them, will they even read it?
These questions bounced around my head constantly. I wasn’t even sure what kind of research I wanted to do. Wet lab? Computational? Experimental? Modeling? It all sounded interesting but also overwhelming. I had a general curiosity about how memory works and how the brain processes information, but not a specific research question. I decided to follow what sparked my interest and started exploring.
I read through lab websites, skimmed recent papers, and made a list of professors whose work excited me. I asked to grab meals and coffees with my preceptors and went to ReMatch events (research-mentoring program) to learn more about research at Princeton. Eventually, I worked up the courage to send out a few emails to professors whose research interested me. Some never responded. It stung a little, but I reminded myself not to take it personally. The professors are incredibly busy, and a “no” doesn’t mean I wasn’t good enough—it just meant the timing wasn’t right.
Eventually, I found a lab that felt like the right fit—Computational Memory Lab. Professor Kenneth Norman, the Principal Investigator, connected me with one of the postdocs in his lab when he realized I was interested in works on PTSD. Dr. Augustin Hennings works on fMRI neurofeedback and memory control enhancement. He was incredibly generous with his time during our first meeting, answering my questions and eventually inviting me to assist with his project. Having a mentor who cares so deeply about my interests made the transition into research much smoother. He helped me understand the day-to-day work, from analyzing data to learning how to ask better research questions. And the best part? I wasn’t just doing busy work—I felt like I was contributing to something meaningful. (Learn more about my experience in the Computational Memory Lab in this blog!)
Once I was part of the lab, I learned how important it is to communicate openly about expectations. We set clear goals, figured out how often we’d meet, and discussed what I hoped to gain from the experience. We agreed on meeting once a week throughout the semester, on top of weekly general lab meetings, in which lab members and guest speakers presented and discussed their works. We planned out the learning steps to prepare me for my Junior Paper and Senior Thesis. Over time, I became more confident—not just in lab skills, but in speaking up when I needed more guidance or wanted to take on something new. That kind of honesty made our mentor-mentee relationship more collaborative and fulfilling.
Looking back, I wish I’d known how normal it is to feel uncertain at first. Research is about exploration—not just in the lab, but within yourself. Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer. It takes time, persistence, and a bit of courage, but it’s worth it. Cold-email that professor. Reach out to that grad student. The worst they can say is no—but they just might say yes, and that “yes” could lead you to an incredible experience that shapes your path as a researcher.
— Angel Toasakul, Natural Sciences Correspondent
