5 answers
Krish
Student
Aurora, Illinois
3
Questions
Asked
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I would like to complete a research project, but I do not know where to start. How should I go about doing this?
I know that I want to do this project in neuroscience. I would love to one day enter the Regeron STS. I recently started studying on my own about the brain, but there are so many things I need to learn and understand, so a mentor or internship where I will learn and perform lab experiments with an adult who will help me would be most beneficial. I understand that independent research is meant to be done on my own, but everyone learns from other people's work to create something new. I would like to do my research project beside scientists and resources from whom I can learn the most and find something new. Thank you.
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5 answers
Kristina Finley
Engineer
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Kristina’s Answer
To secure a mentor for Regeneron STS, first narrow your focus to a specific niche like computational or behavioral neuroscience so you can target relevant university labs. Once you identify local professors, send personalized emails highlighting your interest in their specific papers and your goal of competing in STS. Many successful students also apply to formal summer research programs like RSI or NIH’s SIP, which provide the structured lab environment and mentorship you’re looking for. While searching, learn Python or R to make yourself a valuable asset for data analysis within a professional research team. Focus your reading on identifying a "knowledge gap" in current literature, as this will eventually become the foundation of your independent project.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Krish
Michael Buriek
Machine Learning Engineer
1
Answer
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Neuroscience is a massive field, so the biggest win right now is narrowing to a niche you’re excited about and turning it into a tractable question. Regeneron STS is great for that. Pick 1–2 subareas (BCI, neuroimaging, computational neuro, etc.), then identify a few labs and skim their most recent papers to see what problems they’re actively tackling.
Don’t worry if papers feel overwhelming this is normal. People take entire semester-long classes just to read, discuss, and reproduce research. It takes time.
Also, mentors/labs can be a win-win: professors need help to make progress and publish, and proactive students gain training and experience. If you reach out with a clear interest, a bit of familiarity with their work, and a willingness to contribute, you’ll stand out.
Don’t worry if papers feel overwhelming this is normal. People take entire semester-long classes just to read, discuss, and reproduce research. It takes time.
Also, mentors/labs can be a win-win: professors need help to make progress and publish, and proactive students gain training and experience. If you reach out with a clear interest, a bit of familiarity with their work, and a willingness to contribute, you’ll stand out.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Krish
Margaret Lippincott
Scientist
18
Answers
Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
Starting by looking up literature reviews and creating a summary of your topic of interest. You can expand from there.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Krish
Armando de Jesús Herrera
Sr. Project Engineer
41
Answers
Roswell, Georgia
Updated
Armando de Jesús’s Answer
Hi Krish,
It’s great to see your motivation to start a neuroscience research project, especially with a long‑term goal like the Regeneron STS. Feeling overwhelmed at the beginning is completely normal (every researcher starts exactly where you are now).
A good first step is choosing a topic that genuinely interests you. Neuroscience is a huge field, so narrowing it down will make everything more manageable. Once you have a direction, begin exploring the existing literature: scientific articles, review papers, and introductory textbooks. Careful reading is essential because it helps you understand what has already been done and where the open questions or gaps are.
From there, you usually have two paths. One is to dive deeper and look for ways to complement or extend the current state of the art, this could be a small experimental idea, a data‑analysis project, or a new angle on an existing question. The other option is to write a paper that synthesizes what you’ve learned, such as a review, an application‑focused article, or a piece that translates complex research into something useful for industry or education. I’ve followed both paths in my own work; for example, my latest article (pages 16–17 of this magazine: https://www.calameo.com/read/007124124de34efadd8c4) grew out of exactly this process, and I have others currently under peer review.
You’re absolutely right that independent research doesn’t mean working in isolation. Everyone builds on the knowledge and methods developed by others. If you can find a mentor, internship, or lab environment, that will accelerate your learning and give you hands‑on experience. But even without that, you can still make meaningful progress by reading, asking questions, and slowly shaping your own ideas.
Start small, stay curious, and let your interests guide you. Research is a journey, and you’re already taking the right steps.
It’s great to see your motivation to start a neuroscience research project, especially with a long‑term goal like the Regeneron STS. Feeling overwhelmed at the beginning is completely normal (every researcher starts exactly where you are now).
A good first step is choosing a topic that genuinely interests you. Neuroscience is a huge field, so narrowing it down will make everything more manageable. Once you have a direction, begin exploring the existing literature: scientific articles, review papers, and introductory textbooks. Careful reading is essential because it helps you understand what has already been done and where the open questions or gaps are.
From there, you usually have two paths. One is to dive deeper and look for ways to complement or extend the current state of the art, this could be a small experimental idea, a data‑analysis project, or a new angle on an existing question. The other option is to write a paper that synthesizes what you’ve learned, such as a review, an application‑focused article, or a piece that translates complex research into something useful for industry or education. I’ve followed both paths in my own work; for example, my latest article (pages 16–17 of this magazine: https://www.calameo.com/read/007124124de34efadd8c4) grew out of exactly this process, and I have others currently under peer review.
You’re absolutely right that independent research doesn’t mean working in isolation. Everyone builds on the knowledge and methods developed by others. If you can find a mentor, internship, or lab environment, that will accelerate your learning and give you hands‑on experience. But even without that, you can still make meaningful progress by reading, asking questions, and slowly shaping your own ideas.
Start small, stay curious, and let your interests guide you. Research is a journey, and you’re already taking the right steps.
Thank you so much. I will definitely get to reading and narrowing down my topic!
Krish
definitely agree...."start small, stay curious, and let your interests guide you" there in lies the solution. Always follow what interests you the most because that is what your going to enjoy doing!
Bettyann Lemist
Thank you!
Krish
Bettyann Lemist
artist
2
Answers
Carver, Massachusetts
Updated
Bettyann’s Answer
not to influence your 'narrowing down' your studies? but the study of the motor cortex is of great interest these days...
from Parkinson's research to the little mentioned other and greatly more numbered? Essential Tremor affliction...
from Parkinson's research to the little mentioned other and greatly more numbered? Essential Tremor affliction...
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Krish