Note regarding funding and quarterly lab fees

Students eligible for federal work study may be offered up to 20 hr/wk “research assistant” position to help professors in their labs. As of 2023, the gross pay is $21.95/hr. All lab members who are eligible should submit 5 hrs/wk baseline ($5,707/yr), nominally for reading at least 1 project-related paper per week and sending me a summary. Doing “extra” stuff such looking up info for me, entering data, etc. could add another 5 hrs. If you are able to TA (which would require attending Psychobiology, Psychopharmacology, or Cognitive Foundations classes), that could add another 10 hrs. Functioning as lab manager will entail submitting all 20 hrs ($22,828/yr).

PhD students currently have a lab “fee” built into the tuition of $400/year ($33.33/month). Lab members currently use an average of ~$10 worth of expendable supplies every month (~$120/year). This leaves ~$280 every year for other project-specific supplies (e.g., transgenic flies, drugs, test equipment, histology supplies, etc.). Although the fee cannot be rolled over to subsequent years (the fiscal year runs from 7/1 – 6/30), lab members’ funds can be combined to get big ticket items that will serve multiple projects.

Remaining funds can be applied toward formal participation in a conference (e.g., society membership dues, registration fees, poster printing, travel, lodging). However, note that the Selma Andrews Award (which covers up to $250 for national travel or $500 for international travel per year) should always be the first / go-to source of conference money. Finally, any remaining funds can be applied toward clinical training needs.

To submit approved expenses for reimbursement, please submit a completed expense report and all receipts to Lesley Taylor. 

(CURRENT UPDATE - APPARENTLY THE DAY-TO-DAY FEES ARE CURRENTLY BEING COVERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, LEAVING THE FULL $400 PER YEAR FOR STUDENT RESEARCH USE).