research mix

[devilsadvocate]

Is it essential to have research that is completely relevant to the research you wish to do later on? I have been working in a marine invertebrates lab (sea urchins and the like) since my freshman year and I am about to start on my own project (I am going to be a junior in the fall). This summer I have also been working in a hepatitis B research lab where I am going to write an abstract and present to a large group of people. Will my mix of research experiences hurt me?

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[Primate]

Definitely won't hurt to have done research in different areas. The most important thing will be having independent work, so shoot for having as much input and designing as much of the work as you can. This is what is looked upon favorably, so don't sweat having done work in different fields. 'Course, if you do work in different areas and don't have any depth in either, that could be problematic.

Best of luck,
P