Open Positions
We are always on the lookout for creative, passionate, and driven new lab members at all levels. We are especially interested in recruiting members of underrepresented groups in science.
Undergraduates – Undergradutes interested in performing an intership in the lab should send a Cover Letter and C.V., to Dr. Lodato to apply.
Prospective graduate students – Those interested in pursuing a Ph.D., please apply through the UMMS Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. Those interested in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. should apply through the Medical Scientist Training Program. Students perform rotations through three laboratories before selecting a thesis advisor.
Rotation students – Several rotation projects in the areas of genomics, single-cell biology, neurodegeneration, and human iPSC modeling are available for students already enrolled as UMMS students. Please contact Dr. Lodato to discuss a possible rotation.
Postdoctoral Fellows – Prospective postdoctoral fellows interested in studying somatic mutations in the brain or in other organs should send a Cover Letter, C.V., up to three publications, and a list of three references to Dr. Lodato.
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Mentoring Philosophy
​Science is a tool that human beings use to understand the natural world, so I believe supporting scientists is best way to support science. I am committed to providing an environment that is welcoming to scientists of all backgrounds. I aim to foster an environment where all trainees can be successful, meaning that during your time in the lab you 1) gain technical mastery of the key experiments for your projects, 2) achieve an intellectual mastery of the concepts in your field, 3) develop your skills in science communication, since our success as scientists depends on communicating our ideas to others. I believe that traditional hallmarks of success such as publishing widely read and impactful papers, delivering clear and memorable seminars, and obtaining research training grants come naturally from working towards these three goals.
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The best science happens when curiosity, serendipity, and hard work come together. While working in research sometimes requires long hours in the lab, I believe habitually doing so likely hinders as opposed to enabling good science. As a mentor, I will judge a trainee not by the hours worked, but by progress, ingenuity, insight, creativity, and ultimately results.
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Institutional Environment
Our brand-new lab is part of the Department of Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) in Worcester, MA, giving us access to a multitude of core facilities, shared equipment, and a highly stimulating and interactive intellectual environment. UMMS is a vibrant and exciting research community, with ~3,000 faculty, including ~320 basic science principal investigators and ~2,500 clinical faculty. The UMMS faculty includes members of the National Academy of Sciences, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. UMMS faculty have won several major awards, including the Keck Award, the Lasker Prize, and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, among others. The Lodato lab is part of the Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, a scientifically diverse and interactive environment.