A microscopy facility can serve to promote the research goals of an institution. However, successful operation includes planning for and addressing issues such as fees, access, data control, safety, and even VIP tours.
Dr. Hakim Djaballah, director of the High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Core Facility at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, talks about his experiences setting up a screening lab in an academic environment.
When it comes to lab design, construction or renovation, there will be problems. Accept that, and be prepared to be flexible and cooperative in finding solutions that do not compromise safety, budget, scheduling and quality.
Laboratories are awash in data. The two main data management packages in use today are laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for structured data such as pH values or sample weights and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) for unstructured data such as images and chemical formulas.
Although serious Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) research and core analysis facilities are still alive and well, traditional applications are giving way to more dynamic uses such as controlling processes and field work.
While the majority of a lab manager's time and effort goes toward managing the performance of human assets, the job also carries a significant responsibility for managing the performance of capital assets.