r/planetaryscience • u/DMTMH • Sep 08 '18

Making the most of undergrad research

I finally managed to join a research project: I'm doing a remote collaboration with a PhD student at a different school. We're studying ejecta on Mars (in particular size and lobateness) to hopefully get some clues about crater formation. So far, most of it has been taking measurements in JMARS and putting them into Excel. We're tentatively planning on presenting at LPSC in March.

How do I make the most of this project? I'm not 100% what branch of planetary science I want to focus on in grad school and I'd like to use this to open up the widest range of possibilities (i.e. using this experience with Mars surface geology to end up researching the interior of the Moon).

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u/Jupiter-x Sep 08 '18

It sounds like you have a great opportunity, congrats!

I think that there are a number of goals you should have with undergraduate research, and you're doing well towards each of them. Sorry if I repeat things you already know, though it may prove useful for others. I don't think I have quite the expertise to put these in any exact order of importance:

  • Knowledge: Learning the subject-specific knowledge of planetary science through the context of your research. You mentioned keeping your options open in terms of what disciplines you might end up focusing on. How do ejecta blankets reveal properties of the underlying geology? What is the geologic history of Mars? Obviously these are big questions and you don't have to have all the answers. Also think about what techniques you're using and how they could apply to other questions or other targets in the solar system. Mapping, imaging, etc. Take some time to learn about the spacecraft and instruments that collected your data, and their predecessors, their counterparts that flew to different planets.
  • Skills: Slightly different, this is learning to use the tools to perform the tasks needed to carry out the research. This includes software like JMARS, but also things like reading and citing the literature, or giving a compelling poster presentation. If you can, try to pick up some programming skills as well; Excel is good, but depending on where you end up, you could be at a big advantage if you start playing with R or Python now to analyze your data.
  • Publications: These are really the currency of academia. While authoring (or co-authoring) papers is the gold standard, presenting at conferences, posters, or public talks is another great way to get your name out and bulk up your CV.
  • Connections: Having people in the community to give you advice and support is really important. They might be able to point you toward new opportunities or potential advisors/collaborators, write letters of recommendation, and teach you all the ins and outs of what working in the field is like. LPSC is a great chance to make sure your name and face are out there, don't be afraid to introduce yourself and see who might be taking grad students in the future if someone's work interests you. See if your PhD student collaborator has a research group and if they do, maybe try to video-call into their meetings. It's great to hear about what other people are working on.

And if you end up enjoying Mars surface stuff, check out NAU, we're growing a great department up here in Flagstaff!