I need a background image for my website that is a laboratory bench, but kinda blurry, but

Our Values & Culture

We are all scientists
Every member of the Mounce Lab contributes to our success. We strive to foster a culture built on clear expectations, open communication, mutual respect, and teamwork. By supporting one another and holding ourselves accountable, we create an environment where great science—and great scientists—can thrive. Read more about our values and expectations here.

Science is for everyone.

Science is strongest when people with different experiences, perspectives, and ideas work together. Discovery depends on creativity, curiosity, and collaboration, and every scientist deserves the opportunity to contribute, be heard, and thrive. Our lab is committed to fostering an environment where everyone is respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work.

Science has not always been equally accessible. While talent and curiosity are universal, opportunity has not always been. We believe the future of science is built by lowering barriers, broadening participation, and creating a culture where every member of the laboratory can succeed. Here's how we put those values into practice.

Welcoming every scientist.
The Mounce Lab is a place where you can bring your authentic self to work each day. We are individuals with different backgrounds, identities, experiences, and ways of thinking, united by a shared passion for discovery. We challenge one another, learn from one another, and celebrate one another, creating a laboratory where everyone can contribute and flourish.

Learning from the past.
Scientific research has benefited from remarkable advances, but it has also reflected the biases and barriers of its time. Building a better scientific community requires continual reflection, a willingness to listen, and the courage to improve. We strive to recognize where progress is needed and to turn thoughtful reflection into meaningful action.

Connecting with our community.
Not everyone grows up believing they can become a scientist. By engaging with students, schools, and our broader community, we hope to show that science is open to anyone with curiosity and determination. Representation matters, and by sharing our enthusiasm for discovery, we hope to inspire the next generation of researchers.

Supporting scientists at every stage.
Success in science requires mentorship, encouragement, and a strong community. While we cannot solve every challenge, we can create a laboratory where people are supported both professionally and personally. By offering guidance, compassion, and encouragement, we help ensure that no one has to navigate their scientific journey alone.

Expectations & Culture Overview

Science is a team effort.

The Mounce Lab is built on the belief that excellent science comes from people who communicate openly, take ownership of their work, and support one another. We value independence, but we also recognize that research moves faster and is more enjoyable when we work together. Every member of the lab contributes to our scientific community, and with that comes responsibility to one another.

Be Present

Scientific discovery doesn't happen in isolation. We encourage an active, collaborative laboratory environment where ideas can be discussed, experiments can be troubleshot, and mentorship happens naturally. To support this, lab members are expected to maintain regular on-campus presence during our core hours. We understand that classes, conferences, appointments, experiments, and life occasionally require flexibility, but consistent engagement with the lab is an important part of being a member of our group.

Communicate Early and Often

Good communication is one of the most important skills a scientist can develop. If your schedule changes, you'll be away from the lab, or a project encounters unexpected challenges, let people know. Keeping your colleagues informed allows projects to continue smoothly, prevents misunderstandings, and demonstrates professionalism and respect for everyone else's time. We value transparency over perfection. Problems are much easier to solve when they're communicated early.

Take Ownership

Every member of the lab is responsible for moving their research forward. We expect lab members to understand their projects, think critically about their results, and come to meetings prepared to discuss both successes and challenges. Regular written research updates and organized presentation of data help us maintain momentum, identify obstacles quickly, and make the most of mentoring opportunities. Our goal is not simply to complete experiments—it is to develop independent scientists who can design experiments, interpret data, and communicate their science effectively.

Be Accountable

Research requires trust. We trust one another to follow through on commitments, meet deadlines, arrive prepared, and contribute to the shared success of the laboratory. When expectations are not being met, our first response is conversation and support. Increased structure and more frequent check-ins are intended to help identify obstacles, improve communication, and get projects back on track. Accountability is not about punishment; it is about creating an environment where everyone can succeed.

Support Your Teammates

Science is inherently collaborative. We celebrate each other's successes, share expertise freely, and help one another overcome obstacles. Mentoring, asking thoughtful questions, offering constructive feedback, and being generous with your time all contribute to a stronger laboratory. Every member of the lab, regardless of career stage, is both a learner and a mentor.

Grow as a Scientist

Technical skills are only part of becoming an excellent scientist. Professionalism, reliability, communication, curiosity, and integrity are equally important. Our expectation is that every member of the Mounce Lab leaves not only with outstanding scientific training, but also with the habits and skills needed to thrive in academia, industry, government, or wherever their career takes them.

Specific Expectations for Each Stage

When you rotate:
Welcome to the lab! We’re a fun group of people that like to work in the lab and have fun at the same time. You will find that we are a very friendly group and that we embrace each person and their individuality. We work hard, and we strive to be the best.

My expectations for you are:

Learn the techniques of the lab
Understand the lab atmosphere, future research directions, and areas of interest
Meet weekly to discuss, especially your research and other scientific ideas
Take time to do well in your coursework
Attend journal club, seminar, and Friday meeting
Attend and participate in group meeting
Present your work during group meeting and, potentially, at Friday meeting
Engage in your research
Work as much or as little as you would like but figure out a balance that works for all
Finish with an “exit interview” at which we can discuss the rotation and your impressions

At the end of your rotation, you should have an idea of how the lab works, how mentoring within the lab works, and the projects that we are pursuing. Choosing a lab for your thesis project is a big decision, and you should consider whether our lab has an environment where you can thrive. You should consider your relationship with the mentor, projects that interest you, and the lab atmosphere and how you can contribute to it.

As a master’s degree student:
Welcome to the lab! Now that you know you like it around here, it’s time to get to experimenting! You will have a lot of pressure to do well in coursework and remain productive in the lab. Be sure to balance your lab life with your personal life and health. We will work closely to develop a thesis on an interesting project relevant to your scientific and career goals.

My expectations for you are:

All of the criteria from your rotation
Think critically about your experiments, why you’re doing them, what you will do next, and what it means
Learn how to troubleshoot your experiments
Understand that (most) protocols have flexibility: optimize your experiments for your needs
Prioritize your time, keeping your short-term and long-term goals in mind
Motivate yourself to do the best that you can
Read the scientific literature concerning your area of interest
Develop your own ideas in collaboration with the PI
Contribute to papers and grant proposals with data and ideas
Write your own thesis proposal
Write your own thesis
Meet all graduate school deadlines
Take ownership of your project
Be innovative and work to improve the lab and yourself, either through techniques, organization, or materials
Learn how to organize your data
Take initiative to identify new ideas or procedures
Work independently and manage your time
Multitask, moving multiple experiments forward simultaneously
Write weekly research updates
Present at virology journal club
Present at Friday meeting
Present at St. Albert’s Day and campus events

As a MS student, you should be considering what your next step is. The sooner we can envision this future, the sooner we can develop a plan. My goal is that everyone in the lab publishes their work within the time of their thesis. This takes a lot of hard work and commitment, but the rewards will be great.

As a PhD student:
Welcome to the lab! This will be your “home” for the next few years. Now that you have your “home,” you should settle in, get ready to learn how to do science, and get to experimenting. You will have a lot of different pressures during the time of your PhD, so make sure to make time for yourself to stay healthy.

My expectations for you are:

All of the criteria from your rotation and expectations with MS students.
Communicate your science frequently to me, to others, at presentations, and at conferences.
Write your own papers
Write fellowship applications
Identify funding sources for fellowships that apply to you
Author two first-author publications
Read the literature concerning your area and beyond
Push your project forward independently (with guiding advice, of course)
Multitask, moving multiple ideas forward simultaneously
Write weekly research updates
Attend and present at national and international meetings
Learn how to develop a scientific idea and envision publications
Enhance your graphic design skills as a complement to your presentation skills

In science, you are judged primarily on your publications and your fellowships (funding). While we can certainly discuss the merits and pitfalls of this, the reality is that people (including future employers) will judge you based on these metrics and quite possibly little else. Thus, you need to publish: early and frequently. Collaborations are a great way to increase your skills and publish. We have a highly collaborative environment in the lab, and you should contribute to this.

I expect each PhD student to apply for fellowships, especially through NIH. Writing a fellowship application allows you to envision a project and all that goes into it. This is an invaluable exercise in grant writing and earning a fellowship is one of the most rewarding accomplishments in science. A fellowship makes you stand out amongst your peers.

Your key to graduation is to demonstrate that you have “checked all of the boxes”: publications, fellowship, maturity, scientific ability. There is no time requirement or limit.

As a postdoc:
Welcome to the lab! Things might be a little different around here compared to your PhD lab, but don’t worry – we’ll welcome you and you’ll become acquainted quickly. The expectations for you are a little different than MS or PhD students. You’ve sharpened your scientific skills in your PhD and now it’s time to dig in and have some fun in a new system.

My expectations for you are:

Do great science – come up with new ideas that don’t necessarily “fit the mold”
Bring your expertise and new ideas to the lab to augment our work
Communicate frequently
Master your presentation skills
Write fellowship applications and your own papers
Mentor younger trainees in the lab
Discuss your future goals frequently and develop a plan for your future
Attend and present at national and international meetings
Focus on your goals

Being a postdoc is a “weird” time in life, and you’ll have a lot of pressures. You’ll also have a lot of freedom to do fun experiments. You should take this opportunity to explore and use the skills that you worked so hard to develop. Do the crazy experiments. Try the new reagents. Push the boundaries and be brave. It’s also important to have fun and take care of yourself while doing it.

Other important things:

Communicate
Be a team player
Be present. You need to spend significant time in the lab to develop your skills, interact with your labmates and me, and learn.
Mistakes are okay and are going to happen. Embrace failure and learn how to prevent or respond to mistakes or problems. Of course, don’t brush off mistakes – take ownership of your mistakes and learn from them while correcting them.
Always think of new ideas and don’t be afraid to consider “crazy” experiments.
Be creative and have fun in the lab (within reason!)
Realize your resources and use them: the department is full of rich resources (the people and equipment!)
It’s okay to ask for help. Other people generally like being asked if they can help you.
Be open to criticism and understand the difference between beneficial criticism and personal attacks
Seek out collaborations within the lab, the department, and beyond
Enjoy science. Working in science is a privilege that not many people will ever experience.
Do not be late to meetings
Do not use your phone or a computer during lab meetings
Stay organized as best possible, both mentally and physically
Take responsibility for your actions
Don’t make excuses
While your title might be “student,” this is a job / career and should be respected as such