Getting Advice

Contacting Faculty:

Determining where to start can be complex and confusing when interested in research. However, there are steps you can take to make the process easier.

It’s always best to find faculty members who are researching in areas that you are interested in. This can come from professors that you have taken or are currently taking a course with or faculty members that you find through an online profile. UMSL proudly has many options to offer for this.

Once you have found a topic and professor you are interested in, reaching out to be a part of their lab is the next step. Although this may seem intimidating, there is nothing to be scared about. Hundreds of students are going through the same thought process, and more often than not, researchers are always looking for students to “take under their wing” to help guide, mentor, and serve as a stepping stone to more research areas.

Don’t know how to contact a research member? It’s best to start by greeting the professor and introducing yourself, including your major, grade, and why you are interested in the specific research they are doing. Remember to be respectful and professional.

Click here for a sample email to faculty to use as a template.