Hi! I’m Dr. Thivani Senathiraja, and I earned my Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University in May 2024. Fun fact: I survived nearly every graduate student’s worst nightmare — changing advisors and transferring universities.
On top of that (the good chaos!), I was an active member of the GradSWE (Graduate Society of Women Engineers) collegiate section at ISU and the Peer Writing Group, which gave me the chance to connect with countless grad students from different disciplines.
And do you know the one topic that came up again and again? Principal investigators (PIs). So, who are they?
PIs are professors who lead their research groups within a department and are funded by various research grants. However, not everyone leading a research group is your PI. When you join a lab, the professor in charge of that group becomes your PI — your official advisor or supervisor. In certain instances, graduate students often find themselves co-advised by multiple PIs during their academic journey.
You might think grad students are so engrossed in research that all they talk about is science. But let’s not forget — we’re humans too! As humans, we spend a significant amount of time navigating our relationships with our advisors, who play an outsized role in shaping our graduate school experience.
Why Your Advisor Matters More Than You Think
Before diving into why your PI is so crucial, let’s ask a fundamental question: Why do we go to grad school in the first place?
Sure, there are personal motivations — passion for research, career advancement, and intellectual curiosity, but at its core, grad school is about learning and acquiring new skills. And here’s the kicker: personal growth is a huge part of that.
Often, we focus on factors like research areas, university rankings, or an advisor’s credentials when applying to grad school, but we forget one thing: our advisor shapes not just our research but also our confidence, career trajectory, and overall well-being.
Let’s break down the three most common types of PIs that I have observed during my journey and how they can impact your Ph.D. experience.
The Three Types of Advisors
1. The Micromanager (a.k.a. The Control Freak)
Micromanagers are driven by their achievements. Often, they’re chasing tenure, high-impact publications, or funding, so they take on more projects than they can handle — expecting their grad students to carry that same workload.
Common Signs of a Micromanager:
- Frequent meetings and late-night emails (with an unspoken expectation of instant replies).
- Expects you to be in the lab/office space or work remotely all the time.
- Prioritizes research over coursework or personal well-being.
- Little patience for failed experiments (all about the results, but not the process).
- Criticism without constructive feedback.
- Compares students, plays favorites, or mocks under the guise of motivation.
Real-Life Example: A PI once told a grad student returning from a Christmas break that they weren’t “Ph.D. material” and should graduate with a master’s instead. The goal? Scare them into working harder, because this PI believed that taking breaks showed a lack of dedication and that any time not spent working in the lab was a waste of time, energy, and money.
The result? The student switched labs, excelled under a new PI, and graduated successfully with a Ph.D. Moral of the story: Never let a PI determine your worth.
Micromanagers often stifle creativity because they want things done their way. The upside? They usually have well-funded projects and structured research plans. But the downside? Many students under these advisors struggle with burnout, self-doubt, and imposterism even after graduation.
2. The Hands-Off Advisor (a.k.a. The Ghost)
At the opposite end of the spectrum from micromanagers, hands-off advisors give you near-total autonomy. While this sounds appealing, it comes with challenges.
What to Expect:
- No micromanagement — you set your own goals.
- Encouragement and positive feedback (when you actually meet).
- Slow (or no) responses to emails and deadlines.
- No structured guidance on research direction.
- Little to no help with career planning or networking.
Real-Life Example: One student I know asked their PI for a recommendation letter after clearing an interview round. Despite multiple reminders, the PI missed the deadline. This was not because they didn’t want to help, but because they were just bad at communication.
If you have a hands-off advisor, you’ll need to:
- Be self-motivated and proactive.
- Seek mentorship within/outside your lab (senior students, faculty, or external advisors).
- Plan ahead — especially when requesting feedback or letters of recommendation.
- Pro Tip: If you’re someone who thrives with clear guidance, this type of advisor might not be the best fit.
3. The Personal Coach (a.k.a. The Rare Gem)
This is the dream PI — the one who supports your growth, values your ideas, and treats you like a future colleague.
What makes this PI great?
- Actively listens and helps troubleshoot failed experiments.
- Encourages critical thinking and independent research.
- Provides constructive feedback and celebrates progress.
- Supports work-life balance and career development.
- Advocates for conference opportunities, networking, and skill-building.
Personal Example: My advisor once dropped by the lab in late November and casually asked what my holiday plans were. It might seem small, but in grad school — where PTO isn’t a formal concept — having a PI recognize my hard work and encourage a break was incredibly validating. If you find a PI like this, consider yourself lucky!
The only downside? These PIs are rare. So, if you find such a one, hold onto them!
How to Choose the Right PI
So, how do you pick the right advisor? Do your homework.
- Talk to former (not just current) students. Alumni are more likely to give honest feedback about the advisor’s mentoring style.
- Attend lab meetings. Observe how the PI interacts with students. Note that some PIs may have stricter expectations for international students compared to American students, which can influence mentorship and opportunities.
- Look beyond the research. Consider the lab culture, advisor’s communication style, and overall work environment.
- Reflect on your needs. Are you self-motivated and independent or do you thrive with guidance and structure? Match your preferences with the advisor’s style.
- What if you’re their first student? New PIs are juggling tenure, grant writing, and setting up their lab — all while figuring out how to mentor. As their first student, you may take on extra responsibilities, like setting up equipment, ordering supplies, and training newcomers — all while managing your research and coursework. These PIs can be incredible mentors who trust and support you or overwhelmed micromanagers. Since you won’t have past students to ask, check where they did their postdocs and reach out to former lab members for insight into their personality and mentoring style.
- Trust your instincts. If you notice red flags early, do not ignore them.
Final Thoughts: Your Ph.D. Is a Chapter, Not Your Whole Book
Your Ph.D. is a four- to five-year commitment — a significant chapter of your life. But remember:
- Your Ph.D. is an important part of your life, but it’s not your entire life.
- Advocate for yourself. If your lab environment is toxic, seek support before it escalates.
- Build a support system. Student organizations like GradSWE, professional organizations, and peer networks are lifesavers when navigating challenges.
- Health comes before wealth. If your lab is affecting your mental or physical health, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Also, remember: Most professors don’t fit neatly into one category — they’re often a mix. That’s why it’s crucial to research a lab’s culture before saying “I do” to a PI.
Grad school is a challenge, but it’s also an incredible opportunity for growth. Choose wisely, stay adaptable, and remember — your journey should empower you, not break you. The right advisor(s) won’t just shape your research; they’ll shape the way you see yourself as a scientist and a thinker.
