@Tnx-
Stay on the bridge unless you're out of actions and have lots of movement. Your job is too important to galavant around.
Assume that your crew is a cage of idiot monkeys unless people show otherwise. Each crewmember setting up the comm link only gives 4% chance of success base- that's REALLY bad for 2 AP, when someone can turn on the microwave to sever the link. Make sure they know not to use the microwave, ideally before mush are chosen.The worst thing you'll ever run into is a mush claiming to be a newbie that didn't know.
Crew can use their actions to set up the comm link; you're limited to one attempt a day, remember. Harrass them about it, 50% of the crew you'll be with likely don't know and think it's Paola's job only.
Also, bug them to get you a sofa(Via microwave/shower dismantle). So that you can lie on the bridge and not travel to dorms.
Priorities:
Xyloph DB gives you one bonus per 2 AP spent. Including Mage Books (Cooking, mush research disk, 2 other random skills that come with their own skill slots!), a list of people who aren't MUSH(High five eleesha and your powers will combine. Through the powers of deduction), and so forth. Useful.
Decoding rebel signals is less important the second day; it's only a glory boost. Later days can be very useful(+1 action points from eating the second;+1 damage to patrol ships, the 7th, etc...). If you can, prioritize xyloph DB unless you have the doublespeed decoding perk from xyloph.
Neron update gives you neron projects. Note that any project seen in research that ISN'T voted for is LOST FOREVER. So the more neron projects that Paola finds, the less projects that are lost to the research process. However, 2 AP only gives you progress towards the project, it's generally less useful early than xyloph.