Hoppa Lab Expectations
**Lab Mission Statement:**
The purpose of the Hoppa lab is to foster a collaborative learning environment where graduate students and postdocs thrive as they pursue their goals. We offer talented trainees challenging scientific problems and guide them as they discover solutions. The Hoppa Lab advances fundamental discoveries in synaptic physiology, cell biology and neuronal signaling through rigorous experimentation, collaborative science, and a commitment to mentorship, innovation, and inclusive excellence.
Behavior Expectations:
1. Commitment to Safety
- Follow all Dartmouth EHS and Hoppa Lab safety protocols, including chemical, biological, and laser safety and animal-use guidelines.
- Wear appropriate PPE and follow SOPs for cell culture, electrophysiology, microscopy, and chemical work.
- Do not work alone with hazardous materials.
- Maintain organized spaces; properly label reagents, sharps, constructs, and samples.
- Report unsafe conditions or injuries immediately.
2. Respect for Shared Equipment and Resources
- Reserve equipment (and rooms) responsibly and avoid booking more than 3 weeks in advance.
- Arrive on time; cancel reservations promptly when needed.
- Leave equipment clean, calibrated, and ready for the next user.
- Do not use another person’s reagents without permission.
- Restock shared reagents when depleted and notify the lab.
- Report equipment issues to the PI and lab Slack immediately.
3. Responsibility and Accountability
- Manage time effectively and communicate delays or challenges early.
- Maintain reproducible lab notebooks including dates, protocols, imaging settings, code versions, and data locations.
- Store data on approved shared drives and responsibly on server.
- Uphold research integrity: no fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting.
- Request help with analysis, statistics, or interpretation when needed.
4. Professionalism and Conduct
- Treat all lab members with respect and professionalism; no gossip or bullying.
- Communicate clearly and kindly in person and on digital platforms.
- Address conflicts constructively; seek mediation early when needed.
- Celebrate colleagues’ successes and respect diverse learning curves and backgrounds.
- You are expected to attend seminars given by lab members.
- You are expected to attend seminars given by the Biological Sciences Department.
5. Lab Culture Values
The Hoppa Lab values curiosity, collaboration, inclusivity, resilience, and intellectual generosity. All members contribute to:
- A supportive learning environment.
- Open scientific inquiry and constructive debate.
- Cross-project cooperation and shared problem-solving.
6. Communication Expectations
- Keep the PI informed of progress, challenges, absences, and schedule changes.
- Participate actively in lab meetings and discussions.
- Document protocol changes and notify others of instrument issues promptly.
7. Authorship Guidelines
Authorship follows COPE and journal standards.
Criteria for authorship (contribute substantially to at least two):
1. Conceptualization of questions or hypotheses
2. Experimental work or data collection
3. Analysis, modeling, or code development
4. Creation of new reagents, constructs, or models
5. Manuscript writing or substantive editing
6. Intellectual input shaping interpretation
Author order principles:
- First author(s): majority contributions
- Co–first: permitted with documented equal contributions
- Middle authors: meaningful enabling contributions
- Senior author: PI
- Trainees who leave the lab retain authorship where contributions apply
Authorship discussions occur at project initiation and are revisited regularly. Acknowledgments recognize minor contributions.
8. Code of Conduct Enforcement
- The Hoppa Lab maintains zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.
- Concerns may be reported to the PI, program directors, or Dartmouth compliance offices.
- Reports are handled confidentially as permitted by policy.
- Corrective actions may include warnings, loss of equipment privileges, involvement of graduate programs, or removal from the lab.
- Retaliation for good-faith reporting is strictly prohibited.
9. Agreement
Lab members must review and acknowledge these expectations upon onboarding and annually thereafter to support a safe, innovative, and inclusive research environment.
As PI, I commit to:
1. Creating a Safe and Supportive Lab
· Maintain a safe, well-trained environment.
· Promote respect, inclusivity, and zero tolerance for harassment or bullying.
2. Communicating Clearly and Transparently
· Provide regular feedback and meet with trainees consistently.
· Set clear expectations for projects, timelines, and responsibilities.
· Update lab when I will be away with as much notification as possible.
3. Mentoring for Growth
· Support trainees in developing technical, analytical, and professional skills.
· Encourage independence while providing appropriate guidance.
· Help trainees explore and prepare for diverse career paths.
4. Ensuring Fair and Ethical Authorship
· Discuss authorship early and revisit as projects evolve.
· Ensure contributions are recognized fairly and transparently.
5. Upholding Scientific Integrity
· Model rigorous, honest, reproducible science.
· Ensure data and analyses are stored properly and openly shared within the lab.
6. Being Accessible and Approachable
· Maintain reasonable availability for questions, troubleshooting, and mentoring.
· Listen to concerns respectfully and respond without retaliation.
7. Fostering a Positive Lab Culture
· Celebrate successes, support resilience, and encourage curiosity.
· Maintain a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive.
Expectation for Graduate students in the Hoppa Lab are expected to take ownership of their projects, conduct rigorous and honest science, communicate regularly, and contribute to a respectful and collaborative lab environment. Students should work toward technical and intellectual independence, engage with the literature, participate actively in lab meetings, and help maintain shared lab resources. The lab supports students in developing strong experimental, analytical, writing, presentation, and mentoring skills, with the goal of producing high-quality publications and preparing each student for the career path that best fits their goals.