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Which student research interests are a good fit for the Kelly Lab?

The Kelly Lab conducts behavioral neuroscience research in non-human animals. Most of our studies involve examining both behavior and the brain. However, while all research projects in the lab have a behavioral component, some projects may not include a neuroscience component. For example, we also conduct studies that examine hormones and behavior. Behavior is at the heart of everything we do, so if your primary interest is behavior, we may be a great fit for you. For our lab, all questions start with behavior.

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What kinds of projects do graduate students conduct in the Kelly Lab?

We conduct research using spiny mice and gerbils. Depending on the prior research experience of the graduate student, students may a) begin with a starter project that gets them acquainted with running rodent behavioral assays and learning neural staining techniques (i.e., immunohistochemistry) and neuroanatomy or b) immediately start learning neurosurgeries to probe how the brain modulates X behavior (e.g. how the brain facilitates the preference to affiliate with a group, behave prosocially, etc.). Students simultaneously conduct a non-risky project (i.e., something that will most likely yield a publication in a reasonable amount of time) and a high-risk project (i.e., something highly novel and difficult, such that if it works it may result in a higher-tier publication).

Note: We do not conduct research in humans. We currently do not conduct research on organisms other than spiny mice and gerbils. Projects in the lab must involve some examination of social behavior or social cognition. Unfortunately, we do not have funds at this time to explore other interests. If you're uncertain whether your research interests align with those of the lab, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Kelly to ask!

 

What makes an applicant competitive?

Qualities that typically lead to successful graduate students:

• Ability to work independently

• Self-driven and self-disciplined

• A passion for conducting science

• Enjoys nerding out talking, thinking, and reading about behavior

• Enjoys working with their hands. Conducting research is extremely hands-on and requires long days working with animals, conducting surgeries, and benchwork (i.e., working with tissue or other biological samples).

• Flexibility. Sometimes research projects simply don’t work out, and that’s okay! Having the ability to adapt and move on is critical to success in science.

• Understanding that science isn’t perfect and there will be roadblocks and challenges both inside and outside of the lab. We strive to do the best we can, but science, like everything, has its limitations. Learning and growing during these challenges is just as important as conducting the experiments themselves.

Skills that make an applicant even more competitive include:

• Experience working with rodents, birds, fish, or frogs

• Experience studying social behavior in non-human animals

• Experience conducting neurosurgeries

• Experience conducting hormone assays

• Background in evolutionary theory​

 

How do I apply to Emory’s Psychology graduate program?

http://psychology.emory.edu/home/graduate/index.html

Please feel free to email me at aubrey.kelly@emory.edu to set up a meeting to discuss research interests and determine if the Kelly Lab and Emory's Psychology Department are a good match for you and your goals. I receive a great deal of emails, so please be patient and considerate. Additionally, I juggle many commitments, so unfortunately I cannot guarantee that I will be able to make the time to meet.

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