This page introduces the Chao Lab Guidelines for a PhD or student RAs. The guidelines are not applicable to post-docs or to students who are only my academic mentees but are not working with me on any projects.
Ground rules
- This is an English-only lab, including but not limited to emails, presentations, and discussions.
- Only use emails to contact Dr. Chao.
Lab culture
- All members works directly with Dr. Chao. Hence, the group size will be kept relatively small so that Dr. Chao can ensure high-quality interation with each lab mate.
- All lab mates are equal, i.e. no hierarchy within the lab.
- Zero tolerance on bullying, abuse, or any unprofessional behavior.
Kick start
To get on board, a student should:
- Sign a service agreement (not a labor contract) with Dr. Chao, so that working hours can be compensated.
- Join the Chao Lab working email group, so that the lab announcements can be received.
- Join the Chao Lab OneDrive folder, so that one can access the lab resources.
- Dr. Chao will request an account for the High Performance Computing (HPC):
- Compulsory for PhD students.
- Optional for Master students unless with strong computational background.
What to expect
Weekly lab meetings
- During the semester: in-person.
- During the winter & summer breaks: in-person and/or via zoom.
- No meetings during the public holidays or during the weekends.
Presentations to the lab
- Twice per semester on average.
One-to-one meetings with Dr. Chao
- Once a week on average for PhD students.
- Once every two weeks for Master students.
- If good progress is made, one can email Dr. Chao and request to meet after one week.
HK Research seminars
- Attending research talks in universities and institutes based in Hong Kong is encouraged.
How to exit the lab
- All the students have the right to withdraw from the lab any time.
- Schedule a meeting/zoom call with Dr. Chao to fix a final day in the lab.
- Email Dr. Chao with a one-month notice period before the agreed final day.
- Relax, no hard feelings, and move on.
No gift policy
This deserves a separate section. In short, Dr. Chao does not accept any gift, regardless of its value, from any lab mates.
The YouTube video (a clip from Brooklyn Nine-Nine) describes exactly how Dr. Chao will respond if one forces a gift upon her.
Contributors of this page
Fengqing Chao, last updated on 2025 Nov 28th.
Chao Lab Documentations