The Zivich Epidemiologic Theory & Applications (ZETA) Research Group

Hello! This GitHub page serves as an introduction for the ZETA research group in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill regarding policies, expectations, and group resources. The goal of this page is provide details to support research group members reaching their full in potential learning, professional development, and scientific rigor. This also serves as a general introduction for those considering joining the ZETA research group. I welcome any feedback on these materials (either through GitHub or via email).

Mission Statement

The overarching goal of the ZETA research group is to better understand the world through kindness, patience, persistence, and curiosity in order to improve it through reliable evidence. We work towards this goal through a collaborative and interdisciplinary team that emphasizes transparency, reproducibility, creativity, and benevolence. As part of this goal, we will challenge ourselves to be better researchers and people.

Group Materials

The following is a manifesto of the different materials on this page. Please review the corresponding page for further details on the corresponding topic:

• presentations/: folder containing continuing education presentations from research group meetings
• resources/: folder containing relevant group-specific resources
• ai_policy: details and policies on the use of large language models
• authorship: guidelines and recommendations for authorship and roles on papers
• code_of_conduct: Code of Conduct and expectations for research group members
• lab_notebook: Guidance for creation and maintenance of a laboratory notebook.
• new_student_checklist: checklist of items that students joining the research group should consider completing
• software: recommended software programs
• style_guide: Code, Writing, and Other Materials style guidelines for the ZETA research group

Interacting with the Group Materials

My intention behind using GitHub to manage these materials is to make them easily accessible, track how they are modified, and allow a simple system to suggest modifications. If you have ways to improve these materials or have any other suggestions, please feel free to create a new branch with your suggestions. Alternatively, you can raise an issue on the Issue tab and I can make the modifications myself. Overall this is a living, collaborative document between all of us in the group.

Meeting Structure

The main way we will meet is through a weekly research group meetings. Group meetings are a 2-hour meeting. All students under my direct supervision are expected to attend that occurs weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters. The general structure of these meetings is:

• Good new updates
• 5 minutes for continuing education piece (relevant slides live in presentations/)
• 5 minutes for each attendee to briefly state what they would like to discuss that week (to help me triage)
• The remaining times is for individual-specific discussion

You may need additional time for an individual meeting beyond the research group meeting. If you need additional time, I expect you to reach out to me. Please email me to schedule an individual meeting time as needed.

Occasionally we might modify the structure to discuss a paper we have collectively read or allot for time from a guest attendee. These lab meetings can also be used to talk about methods, statistical analyses, new papers, and career development. If you would like to suggest a reading, please email me or bring up the suggested reading during a meeting.

An idea behind the choice of group meetings is to provide opportunities for peer-mentorship and feedback.

Communications

For meetings, my preference is in-person meetings. In you need me to help with something, are requesting feedback, or would like to schedule a meeting, please contact me via email (this is how I manage my to-do list).

Recommendation Letters

One aspect of my job is to help you succeed in your career. One aspect of that is writing recommendation letters. If you are a research group member, I am always happy to provide a letter. There are a few steps that will help me to write your letter listed here:

• Provide details on the position you are applying for (can be the webpage or other document). This helps me to align the letter with what the call for applications requests. If this is a grant, please also provide the aims page to me.
• Provide the most recent copy of your CV.
• Provide a list of any particular points you would like me to highlight in your letter.
• Request a letter of recommendation from me noting the deadline. Please try your best to request the letter 4 weeks before the deadline. This will ensure I have adequate time to draft the best letter that I can.