I am in a slightly different situation - i have six weeks of formal lab work to go (and a year to submit my thesis in). I am PANICKED! Good luck all!

Apologies if this is not in the correct place - i couldnt find a more specific forum. Does anybody in the biomedical field have experience of writing a thesis chapter analysing gene expression array data? I am completely stuck on how to start. I will post more details if anyone replies :)

Thanks,
Vicky:-(

Yes, i am interested honestly! Hes researching a type of leukaemia which i happened to have about 10 years ago!
Thanks for the advice.

Hey there,
Im very new to the whole 'applying for a PhD' thing. Have found a guy who is doing research on something im really interested in. Hes in a place which i like, has good funding and has published lots recently. I have been encouraged to email him expressing why im interested in his research and basically asking him if i can work with him on a PhD project...trouble is im not entirely sure how to go about this...

My ideas...
Why im interested in his subject
Relevant work experience i have (as well as expected degree grade etc)
But im not actually sure how to 'word' the question, or express my interest clearly in doing postgrad work with him. If anyone has any suggestions they would be gratefully recieved!

Thanks,
Vicky

Thanks for the replies everyone, very useful info. Do you think it is too early to start emailing lecturers and research groups considering i can't start till July next year at the earliest?

A bit more info (too long for the first post )

My course leader has given me some advice on how to proceed with this ambition, but i still feel like I have very little idea on how to proceed with this. I have ordered postgrad prospectuses from the institutions im interested in, but thats about as far as i have got. I am doing a summer placement with one of my lecturers on the role of telomerase on the lifespan of leukaemic cells, which i hope will give me greater focus on exactly which PhD program i wish to pursue, and
also lab experience, which will hopefully make my application stronger. His area of research is one that I am definitely very interested in, he is an excellent lecturer - very animated, enthusiastic and encouraging and if I like the research over the summer, i would love to do my PhD with him.

Hi,
My name is Vicky and ive just completed my second year of Biomedical Science at Durham Uni. I achieved a 2.1 this year, and have always wanted to go on to do a PhD, but thought i would have to do a masters first. My course leader has advised me that because of my grade, my drive and other factors such as relevant research experience im doing in a placement this summer, i can apply directly for PhDs. I know i want to do something in the field of cancer reserch and or stem cells and that I would like to either stay in the North-East (Newcastle/Durham), or go back down to London/Cambridge area because i think thats where the really interesting and fast moving research is occurring.

Any information on how to apply/get funding/anything would be greatly appreciated!
Thankyou!