K-State Olathe, KCAS host lab skills workshop for young researchers
Monday, May 8, 2023 | Written by Beth Jones
OLATHE — Kansas State University Olathe will be hosting a one-day workshop to provide entry-level, hands-on training for college and graduate students on June 17.
The Introduction to Basic Laboratory Skills and Contract Research Organizations workshop will provide attendees with a basic overview of lab equipment, protocols and procedures. Learners from Olathe, Manhattan and the Kansas City region are welcome to attend and will have an opportunity for applied practice, which will help them become industry ready.
This workshop is offered via a partnership between K-State Olathe and KCAS Bioanalytical and Biomarker Services.
Students will begin the day at K-State Olathe for a morning of learning, exercises and experiments in the campus’ labs. During a previous workshop in January, students completed a rotation on micro pipetting in the Postharvest Physiology Lab, studied water testing practices in the Food Safety Lab and cleaned up a hazardous spill in a demonstration lab.
The afternoon portion of the event will be at KCAS Bioanalytical and Biomarker Services, where attendees will tour the business’ custom labs and learn about careers in lab work and pathways to positions as an industry scientist. This year, a rotation to provide an opportunity for students to network with industry professionals will be provided. Each learner will walk away with the ability to:
- Demonstrate technical skills used in a laboratory setting
- Demonstrate laboratory safety protocols
- Understand general principles of experimental design and data analysis
- Write protocol documentation, laboratory notes and technical professional communication
- Apply the processes and knowledge gained in practice
- Discuss the use of laboratory data to support preclinical and clinical research
- Understand the basis of research assays and how results are interpreted
Attendees should wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for safety while in the lab but are encouraged to show school spirit by wearing a shirt that represents their alma mater.
Learn more and register at olathe.k-state.edu/labskills.