#Careers
#Careers
06.03.2026
Advisor and student: understanding why this relationship is essential to organizing a research project
Students entering graduate school should be encouraged to be clear on the objectives of their research before they begin
According to neuroscientist Elisa Kozasa, a strong student–advisor relationship gives students a clearer sense of whether a research project is right for them | Image: Unsplash
When starting a master’s degree or PhD, students must prepare themselves in several ways. Planning includes stages such as choosing the project they wish to pursue and creating a schedule with deadlines for completing tasks. The role of the advisor is fundamental to the effectiveness of this process.
A strong student–advisor relationship gives students a clearer sense of whether a research project is right for them. This connection is essential for preventing the emergence of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, particularly given the extent to which these conditions have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with Science Arena, neuroscientist Elisa Harumi Kozasa, a researcher at Einstein Hospital Israelita, spoke about how important it is for advisors to assess a prospective student’s circumstances before agreeing to guide them.
She also highlighted the need for advisors to explain the research topic to students in depth, to give them a better understanding of the required tasks and project objective.
Watch the full interview with Elisa Kozasa on Science Arena:
Student-advisor dialogue
Kozasa stresses that establishing a dialogue is not always an easy task. However, she adds: “When you succeed, it can be of great benefit to your mental health.”
An honest and respectful line of communication between a student and their advisor is therefore indispensable, allowing the student to express what is working for them and what is not.
Within this dialogue, students can ask for additional time to better work on their project, especially when they feel stuck.
The neuroscientist also emphasizes that academic institutions should choose advisors based not only on their technical expertise but also on their emotional skills, to maintain a pleasant environment.
Clear objectives from the start
When committing to a research project, students should have a clear understanding of the objectives and whether they can manage every stage. According to Kozasa, this conscious commitment must be made at the outset of the project to prevent issues with deadlines and workloads.
“I try to ensure that students begin and go through the selection process only after we have conducted at least some equipment testing,” she says. This approach gives students a better understanding of whether they will be able to succeed in the program.
“There are research projects where you really need to be full-time—when working in a laboratory or doing cell cultures, for example—and you need to be there every day to monitor what is happening without knowing exactly when the study will end,” Kozasa explains.
Another recommendation is that students enter a program only after their project has been approved by the institution’s Research Ethics Committee.
This would ensure students start their work with funding already secured.
For more discussion about mental health in graduate studies, read the full interview in this Science Arena article.
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