Procedures for Switching Dissertation Laboratories

Owing to a number of possible circumstances, a student may need to switch laboratories and change their dissertation research topic. It should be emphasized that such occurrences, while infrequent, do occur. In such cases, the Biochemistry Graduate Program aims to advise and provide students the necessary resources to facilitate a smooth a transition as reasonably possible.

The student is advised to contact the DGS and Biochemistry Program Manager to inform them of the situation. After this initial meeting, the DGS and/or Program Manager will communicate with the student’s advisor to gain additional background information and to assess the next steps; as appropriate, the student’s thesis committee chair will also be consulted. Students should also consult with at least one additional mentor/advisor prior to making a final decision to switch laboratories.

For students who matriculated into the Biochemistry graduate program from the IGP or QCB programs, once it is clear that the best path forward is for the student to switch labs, then the student will work with the BRET office to identify a new laboratory and thesis advisor. BRET Office will support the student during the transition to a new group. Specifically, the BRET office will support a student to conduct up to two 4-week rotations in any group within the School of Medicine led by a member of the graduate faculty that has expressed an interest in considering the student for pursuit of their thesis research. To begin this process, please contact the Senior Associate Dean for BRET, Dr. Walter Chazin.

For Biochemistry direct admission students, BRET does not handle or support students who wish to switch labs:

When a faculty member sponsors direct admission of a student into a PhD program, the faculty member takes full financial responsibility for the student throughout their graduate career. The appointment requires sign-off by the Chair of the faculty member’s home department confirming financial backup if the faculty member loses funding. If a direct admission student leaves the mentor’s laboratory, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring faculty member (or department) to cover the student stipend until a new laboratory is found or the student leaves the program. The BRET Office will not support rotations to find a new laboratory.

Biochemistry faculty mentors who nominated and recruited a direct admission student will be required to pay for at least two 4-week rotations so the student can seek out a new laboratory.

Should the student switch to a laboratory whose PI is not affiliated with the Biochemistry graduate program, the student and new advisor must make a decision as to whether the student wishes to remain part of the Biochemistry Graduate Program or transfer programs altogether. Remaining part of the Biochemistry Graduate Program is dependent on the new advisor becoming a Biochemistry Graduate Program preceptor, which requires application to the Chair. Any student that switches to a new Biochemistry Graduate Program preceptor should immediately inform the Program Manager and Biochemistry DGS. They should also form and meet with their new thesis committee within 6 months of transferring laboratories.