What’s the best way to contact you for questions or inquiries?

You can reach out using the contact form on the homepage or email us directly at support@researchunstuck.com. We’d be happy to help!

How do I know if you can help me?

I have experience in a broad range of protein science subfields, including protein expression & purification, bioassays, proteomics, and protein engineering. Does this mean I can guarantee to help you 100%? Not always! That’s why, before making any commitment, please reach out through the contact form and describe your expectations. I’ll respond to see if ResearchUnstuck is the right fit. If not, I’ll do my best to direct you to other helpful resources—for free!

How quickly can I expect a response to my inquiry?

You can expect an email within two business days.

Who is this tutoring service for?

This service is designed for high school students studying chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as undergraduate students taking biochemistry courses. Each session is tailored based on the student's current knowledge, learning style, and academic goals.

My problem is really complex, can one email actually solve it?

The Email Advice service actually includes multiple emails. Before you make any financial commitment, we’ll first determine if I can help with troubleshooting. After payment, I’ll ask detailed questions to fully understand your issue—what you've already tried, your goals, and the resources available to you. We might go back and forth before I send you an Email Advice, which will include troubleshooting suggestions, recommended controls, and alternative experiments. If none of my suggestions work, just let me know, and I’ll brainstorm alternatives.

What’s the point of the Follow-Up?

The Follow-Up is a real-time conversation about your research problem, allowing us to troubleshoot further. I recommend scheduling a Follow-Up after you've had time to test ideas from the initial Email Advice. We can analyze your new results and explore the next steps for your project.

Can I receive multiple Email Advice services for the same project?

Absolutely! However, if you think you'll need ongoing support, it might be more cost-effective to consider our Advanced Experiment Support service for long-term help.

I’m an experienced researcher. Why would I look for mentorship?

Advanced Experiment Support is specifically designed to support graduate students who sometimes need additional mentorship, even if they’re already experienced researchers. Ideally, your advisor would fill this role, but we all know that’s not always the case. There are times when you might feel stuck in your project and unsure which direction to push it in, or maybe you've been troubleshooting a difficult experiment for weeks and need more ongoing support than what a one-time consultation can provide.

This service is here for those moments when you feel isolated in your research and need a sounding board. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas for your research proposal, preparing for a preliminary exam, or figuring out how to overcome that one experiment that just won’t work, the goal is to help you move forward. I provide a collaborative and friendly environment where you can feel comfortable exploring ideas without fear of judgment or dismissal.

You’re already a capable researcher, and I’m not here to tell you otherwise. My role is to help you broaden your horizons, refine your approaches, and ultimately keep progressing toward your goals. Sometimes, just having someone to bounce ideas off of or offer a fresh perspective is all you need to get unstuck. Advanced Experiment Support is about offering that guidance so you can stay focused and, just as importantly, sane during your research journey.

How can I verify it's worth the investment?

For mentorship services, I offer a free 30-minute "Getting To Know Each Other" meeting. This call allows you to interview me and determine if I can help with your research or career goals. Fill out the form on the homepage, and I’ll contact you to schedule the meeting.

How long does mentoring usually last?

Advanced Experiment Support credits (which include 10x Email Advice and 4x 30 min meeting) are valid for six months. How frequently we communicate is entirely up to you. If you require additional support, you’re always welcome to purchase another Support package.

I don’t know anything about protein science. Can I still sign up?

Absolutely! No prior knowledge of protein science or programming is required. You’ll learn everything along the way.

What kind of project can I work on?

Any protein science-related project that interests you and can be done computationally without expensive software. Projects could involve:

·        data analysis using bioinformatics web servers,

·        data analysis (especially proteomics) using Python (Pandas, maybe machine learning--depending on the intended time invested),

·        structure analysis (AlphaFold, maybe molecular dynamics simulations—dependent on the intended time invested).

The project is entirely up to you. I won’t pick it for you—you choose what you find exciting, and I’ll be there to guide you along the way. Since I assume minimal prior knowledge, the early part of the mentorship is all about helping you discover what excites you in protein science and figuring out what you enjoy or don’t enjoy as much. We’ll explore the literature together, and I’ll provide papers and teach you how to effectively search for relevant studies so you can start exploring on your own.

Once you’ve figured out your area of interest, we’ll narrow down your research question and decide how to approach it. Whether it’s designing experiments, choosing computational methods, or analyzing the data, we’ll work on the project step by step. And if we end up with publishable results, we’ll write it up and aim to get it published in a reputable high school or undergraduate-level journal.

And don’t worry—you can join the mentorship at any point. Whether you’re just starting out, need help narrowing your research question, or you’ve already got data that needs analyzing, I’ll adapt the process to where you are. Whether your goal is just to have fun learning something new or to boost your college or grad school application, ResearchUnstuck is here to help you take your first steps in science.

How long does mentoring usually last?

Junior Scientist Mentorship credits (which include 10x Email Advice and 4x 30 min meeting) are valid for six months. While it's possible to finish a project within this timeframe, it’s often unrealistic given how busy student life can be. The control is entirely in your hands—you decide how often we interact, which also determines how much you invest. We’ll go at a pace that works for you.

It seems fun but I/my parents still have questions. Can we meet?

For mentorship services, I offer a free 30-minute "Getting To Know Each Other" meeting. For high school students, I encourage parents/guardians to join the first call. This meeting helps answer any remaining questions and determine if the service is the right fit. Fill out the form on the homepage, and I’ll contact you to schedule the meeting.