A space for my thoughts on being a scientist, principal investigator, and human being in no particular order.
On becoming a Principal Investigator—July 2023
The loneliness is real. Moving away from the benches, the white noise of the lab, the shared trainee hardship, and routine mentor meetings to the windowless office, empty lab space, and no lab members is isolating and strange. It is a combination of missing home, friends, and science that was mastered over previous years. It is also easy to get overwhelmed…suddenly negotiating all the major laboratory purchases, renovating the lab, drafting the animal protocol, managing all the bureaucratic tasks, preparing grants, hiring personnel, designing a website. This is by no means a complaint because the goal has always been to push beyond comfort into the unknown. Complacency kills, so it is only when we go past our limits that discovery is possible. And while there is frustration that all the above takes time and it will be some time for my laboratory to produce real data in this new environment, I am energized by the opportunity at hand and excited to establish new meaningful connections here. I am also fortunate to be in a department with many early stage investigators starting their own research groups and willing to provide guidance and feedback. Being the new kid on the block is not all bad either. Nobody really knows you and so it is an opportunity to be the positive change you read about on social media but were previously on the wrong rung of the academic ladder to effect. All I see is opportunity. Lets go!
The First Two Years: Lessons from the Frontlines of Starting a Lab—July 2025
Starting a lab as a new assistant professor is both exhilarating and intensely challenging. In the first two years, you're not just doing science—you’re building an entire ecosystem from scratch. You quickly become the PI, lab manager, HR department, safety officer, grant writer, and mentor, often all in the same day. Time management becomes a full-contact sport, as teaching, service, meetings, and writing deadlines compete with the day-to-day logistics of setting up protocols, ordering supplies, and mentoring trainees. Hiring is unexpectedly complex: it’s not just about finding smart people, but those who align with your lab’s values and working style. Even getting basic equipment in place can be a major hurdle—negotiating with vendors requires confidence and strategy, and you can’t be afraid to lowball, push back, or be ruthlessly clear about what you need to stay within budget. Even with a startup package or early-career award, establishing consistent funding is daunting, and the sting of triaged grants can feed imposter syndrome. Meanwhile, creating a positive lab culture—one that is inclusive, collaborative, and productive—requires daily, intentional effort. It's easy to underestimate the emotional toll: the pressure of being responsible for others’ success, the loneliness of leadership, and the endless learning curve. Yet despite the chaos, the growth is real. There’s unmatched satisfaction in building something of your own, in mentoring the next generation, and in those moments—however small—when the science works, the team clicks, and the vision begins to take shape.
