1 - Science is not about showing what you know, it is about discovering what you don't know and then learning about it until it is no longer unknown. So in my lab, being right and generating significant results, while still important, is much less important than being inquisitive, dedicated, rigorous and passionate.

 

2 - My lab members are not automatons, but unique individuals with rich personal lives outside the laboratory. Maintaining the mental and physical health of all lab members is always more important than our work.  

 

3 - Academic science is a team sport and the Gaskill lab is a communal project - people in the lab do not work for me, they work WITH me AND we all work together.

 

4 - A rising tide lifts all boats. In other words, the more success the lab has, the better it is for all members of the lab. To facilitate this, we encourage everyone to work together, help each other, share ideas and communicate.

 

5 - Failure is key to success. Negative data is just as valuable as positive data if not more valuable, as learning where not to look is just as important as learning where to look. 

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6 - There is no lab hierarchy, no matter what your status is in the lab, from post-doctoral fellow to undergraduate volunteer. Even though everyone has different jobs and capabilities based on their skills and experience, everyone's research, time and tasks are just as important as everyone else's. As the PI, I do make the final decisions on many issues, but I will always solicit advice and feedback from those involved before making significant decisions.

 

7 - Science is not a competition. I will never compare your hours or work or achievements with anyone else's. Everyone's project and progression is unique, and my job as a mentor is to support each project as required. helping everyone achieve their own goals and reach their full potential.  

 

8 - We are all part of the same team, whether or not we are happy, sad, angry, frustrated, or thrilled with other lab members. The feeling that there is competition within the lab, or that different people are a part of different "sides" or "teams" is toxic, damaging and unacceptable. If you begin to feel that way, let me know as soon as possible so we can discuss and resolve the source of those feelings.  

 

9 - Work smarter NOT FASTER. Remember to periodically stop, take a step back and carefully evaluate the work you are doing and where it is taking you. We are more effective and productive if we do this, because it enables us to see things that we may have missed while immersed in our day-to-day work.

 

10 - Work smarter NOT MORE.  Although a lot of work can be beneficial, it is not always needed or even useful. Success is judged not by the number of hours we are in lab, or the number of assays we accomplish, but by the results of our work.

 

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11 - It is not my job to provide you with success, it is my job to provide you with the best support and opportunities that I can so that you can be successful. I will always do my best to support you, but it is your job to take advantage of those opportunities in order to succeed.  

 

12 - Mentoring is about developing a unique relationship that optimizes the communication style that works most effectively for both you and I. Everyone is unique and my job as a mentor is to foster each person’s individual capabilities.

 

13 - Everyone is in control of their own schedule. I never expect anyone to keep my schedule (or me to keep theirs) but to work with me to find a work-life balance that enables the to succeed both inside and outside the lab. 

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14 - Everyone has stressful periods and deadlines where we have to work really hard and for long hours, and depending on the place you are in your career and what you are trying to achieve these periods may be more or less frequent and longer or short. But extraordinarily long hours should be the exception, not the norm. 

 

15 - Everyone works differently. Some lab members prefer to work longer hours, weekends or holidays while others concentrate their work over shorter spurts. As long as you schedule enables you to be an effective, I will respect it. However, if you are not managing your time well or not being effective, we will talk about it, and work together to try to resolve things as best we can. 

 

16 - Everyone in the lab is entitled to a comfortable, safe, secure and pleasant working environment, and it is my job to provide that. Therefore, if things are happening in the lab that make you angry or uncomfortable or sad or scared, speak with me about them immediately and I will work to remedy them as rapidly as I can.