I believe that mentoring undergraduate students is part of our duty as professors. It is highly rewarding to follow the first steps in the laboratory of student researchers that will eventually become interested in pursuing research at higher levels by enrolling in a Ph.D. program. The type of projects that I have directed is close to the interest of my laboratory. Undergraduate students begin to work in the laboratory performing easy tasks and then are assigned more complex tasks if they show interest.

I look for motivation and interest in the subject of our studies. I expect students to become involved in research, asking questions and reading literature.

Students in my laboratory are supervised directly by graduate students and postdocs; however, I am informed of their progress and discuss it with them often.

Sometimes students that join the laboratory are not yet convinced on whether they want to continue a research career or not. An experience in the laboratory helps them choose which direction to take.

I have learned that we can only guide students’ choices if there is interest on their side to get involved into research. The percentage of these students is no more than 1-2%; all the others participate in laboratory activities as a duty.

To do undergraduate research only if they are interested and motivated.

Research Interests: Dopaminergic neurons, pharmacology, animal models, neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases

Faculty Profile: http://www.faculty.uci.edu//profile.cfm?faculty_id=5405

Email: borrelli@uci.edu