Letting Go of the Details
10/05/10 12:45 Filed in: GenomeWeb Daily Scan
Submitted by S. Pelech - Kinexus on Mon, 05/10/2010 - 13:38.
It is true that most established principal investigators do not have the time to carry out the experimental work themselves at the lab bench, despite the thrill that can come from seeing the research results firsthand. However, a PI should definitely be very familiar with the underlying theory and limitations of technologies that are being used by the trainees under their supervision. Moreover, the PI should always be on top of the experimental results and lead in the decision making process on how to proceed further, especially with graduate students and technicians. Many M.Sc. and Ph.D. thesis projects are unnecessarily prolonged by years due to insufficient supervision. In keeping with the old adage "the devil is in the details," the PI with their experience and knowledge should be in the best position to judge how to lead a research enquiry.
Link to the original blog post
It is true that most established principal investigators do not have the time to carry out the experimental work themselves at the lab bench, despite the thrill that can come from seeing the research results firsthand. However, a PI should definitely be very familiar with the underlying theory and limitations of technologies that are being used by the trainees under their supervision. Moreover, the PI should always be on top of the experimental results and lead in the decision making process on how to proceed further, especially with graduate students and technicians. Many M.Sc. and Ph.D. thesis projects are unnecessarily prolonged by years due to insufficient supervision. In keeping with the old adage "the devil is in the details," the PI with their experience and knowledge should be in the best position to judge how to lead a research enquiry.
Link to the original blog post