A healthy lab culture promotes high-quality science and makes the work environment more enjoyable. This document aims to shape our behavior, define our core values and expectations for each other, and help us achieve our objectives in a supportive and constructive fashion. It has been shaped by input from both current and former lab members, and is intended to be a living document that can evolve over time.
Core Lab Values
At the Botero lab, we aim to build a culture of inclusivity where everyone feels heard, appreciated, and supported. We believe that science thrives as a collaborative effort, and we help each other whenever possible. We foster an environment of respect, creativity, and a healthy work-life balance. In our science, we are driven by a passion for learning and by the thrill of discovery. We love exploring connections between topics and looking beyond our own fields. We seek out BIG, unanswered questions and prioritize projects that have the potential to make a lasting impact. We are always open to adopting new methods, technologies, and quantitative tools whenever necessary to answer the questions we pursue.
The basics
- COMMUNICATION
Effective communication is key in any lab. I encourage you to openly discuss your needs, concerns, and ideas, both with me and your peers. If you're struggling with anything—whether it's a project, a technique, or a work-life balance issue—let’s talk about it. Weekly lab meetings will help keep everyone updated, but individual communication is equally important.
- WORK-LIFE BALANCE
I understand that science can be demanding, but it’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I expect you to work hard, but also to take care of your well-being. Don’t hesitate to take time off if you need it, and feel free to discuss flexible scheduling if personal circumstances arise.
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I encourage you to pursue opportunities that will help you grow professionally, such as attending conferences, workshops, or engaging in public outreach. I am always happy to help you explore career options and can offer guidance and support in preparing for the next steps in your career, whether in academia or beyond.
- MENTORING AND TEACHING
If you have opportunities to mentor students, the public, or your peers, I encourage you to embrace them. Teaching and mentorship are valuable experiences that contribute to your growth as a scientist.
- RESEARCH INTEGRITY
Integrity is paramount within our team. Please do not take shortcuts... ever. Our lab relies on everyone to protect the rigor and reproducibility of our research and to make sure that every paper we write is accompanied by the code and resources needed to reproduce our findings. If you suspect any mishandling or misrepresentation of data, please discuss it with me or your colleagues right away.
What You Can Expect from CARLOS
You can expect me to be fully engaged, curious, and encouraging when it comes to your projects. Since everyone is different, I strive to tailor our working relationships based on individual needs. For some, this may involve regular one-on-one meetings, while for others it may involve a more hands-off approach. I am always open to feedback on what works best for you.
When you first join the lab, we will meet frequently (often one to two one-hour meetings per week) to discuss ideas and decide on a project. Over time, we will adjust our meeting frequency as needed. Your first project will typically serve as a starting point for developing your own ideas and building up your quantitative and computational skills. You can expect not to be alone on this journey. Your lab mates and I will provide hands-on training in the necessary techniques. If something is new to our lab, we will learn it together. I love science—that's why I’m here!—so you can expect me to be involved and caring with every project. I also pledge to support your career goals, no matter what they are, and help you network with other researchers. As you approach transitions (such as graduation or the end of a postdoc contract), I will be there to assist with you with job applications, networking or career planning.
Above all, you can expect to be treated with respect and dignity, to always receive constructive feedback, and to work in an environment where your growth is prioritized. When it comes to manuscripts, you can expect me to focus heavily on the clarity and impact of the story we tell, and you can count on my detailed feedback to strengthen your work.
When you first join the lab, we will meet frequently (often one to two one-hour meetings per week) to discuss ideas and decide on a project. Over time, we will adjust our meeting frequency as needed. Your first project will typically serve as a starting point for developing your own ideas and building up your quantitative and computational skills. You can expect not to be alone on this journey. Your lab mates and I will provide hands-on training in the necessary techniques. If something is new to our lab, we will learn it together. I love science—that's why I’m here!—so you can expect me to be involved and caring with every project. I also pledge to support your career goals, no matter what they are, and help you network with other researchers. As you approach transitions (such as graduation or the end of a postdoc contract), I will be there to assist with you with job applications, networking or career planning.
Above all, you can expect to be treated with respect and dignity, to always receive constructive feedback, and to work in an environment where your growth is prioritized. When it comes to manuscripts, you can expect me to focus heavily on the clarity and impact of the story we tell, and you can count on my detailed feedback to strengthen your work.
WHAT YOUR LAB EXPECTs FROM YOU
I strongly believe in flexibility and trust you to manage your time and workloads in a way that suits you best. However, this flexibility comes tied to an expectation that you will always have a strong work ethic, commitment to your projects, and dedication to achieving our common goals in a timely manner. For postdocs, I expect you to prioritize the research tied to your funding, but will always be supportive of balancing your needs for professional development activities, including searching for jobs, writing applications materials and preparing for/giving talks. Please talk to me when the time comes. For graduate students, I expect you to be responsible for staying on top of your degree requirements and deadlines (do not worry: you’ll receive plenty of reminders from program coordinators as these deadlines approach). I also expect you to be respectful of your lab mates, contribute to team efforts, and embrace collaboration. I will always encourage you to think big, to use your unique experiences to enrich our science, and to be mindful of the broader impact your work can have. Additionally, I expect you to be considerate of lab resources and shared spaces. Keep them clean and organized, and make sure to communicate with other users when you need to use a common resource extensively (e.g., lab multi-core computers).
