Lab skills workshop for young researchers offers hands-on training
Monday, May 6, 2024 | Written by Beth Jones
OLATHE — Kansas State University Olathe is hosting a one-day workshop to provide entry-level, hands-on training for college and graduate students on Aug. 16.
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 invited and will have an opportunity for applied practice, which will help them become industry ready.
“Participating in a one-day lab workshop that involves an industry partner offers invaluable insights and hands-on experience,” said Paige Adams, Ph.D., D.V.M., teaching associate professor of veterinary medicine at K-State Olathe. “This significantly enhances understanding of real-world applications, whether it be in human or animal health industries."
This workshop is offered via a partnership with K-State Olathe and Eurofins Viracor in Lenexa, Kansas.
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, 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 Eurofins Viracor, where attendees will tour the business’ custom labs and learn about careers in lab work and pathways to positions as an industry scientist. 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.