Lab Manager: what it takes to be “The Guy”

One of my roles at BioTek is “Lab Manager” of the Applications Laboratory. No I’m not a manager to any personnel, but rather I manage the lab facilities. While an unappreciated endeavor, every lab needs a manager. In the smallest of labs, (i.e. one person), the scientist is also the manager. In very large labs they often will have a person, often referred to as “The Guy”, solely dedicated to the management of lab facilities. Most laboratories have someone in the middle, where one person, either formally or informally, is in charge of the day to day operation of the lab. This is the case here at BioTek, where my main role is that of an Application Scientist, but I am also the Lab Manager. While the job is not without its headaches it is also a lot of fun.

The role Lab Manager is a cross between an accountant and an auto mechanic. Besides maintaining some sort of lab budget and expense ledgers, one also is responsible for instrument repair and maintenance. Besides coordinating equipment usage among different researchers (including myself), the lab manager has to purchase, find space and install new equipment. This lets me get my hands on everything in the lab and for a gadget person that is almost as good as sliced bread. Even the mundane portion of the role of lab manager, such as ordering of supplies has an upside in that you have your finger on what everyone in the lab is doing.

Coordinating schedules is the most daunting of tasks. Routine maintenance of equipment, which often takes things off line, has to be coordinated with everyone’s ever changing need for that equipment. Installation of new equipment may require the interaction of scientists, electricians, plumbers, movers, and facilities personnel. Sometimes it has the feeling of trying to herd cats. But all is forgotten when you fire the new piece of equipment up for the first time. Just like a getting a birthday or a Christmas present.

Even with the best of preventative maintenance, equipment fails from time to time. Failure of instrumentation always seems to take place at the most inconvenient of times, often at night. Either it takes place when that device is most needed by the lab or when you have a number of other equally important tasks to finish. Despite the annoyance caused by equipment down time, getting things back to normal provides a sense of accomplishment (and relief) for getting the job at hand done.

Over the years I have noticed that Lab Manager by committee does not seem to work. Regardless of the size of the lab that I have worked in; I’ve found that it is always best that one person plays this role. In the case of the BioTek Application lab, I’m glad it’s me.



By Paul Held, Laboratory Manager

Science to the Layperson

Every few years conversations with my wife of 11 years turn to the topic of what it is that I do for work. Generally this is a result of her having a social conversation with an inquisitive colleague or friend and invariably ends with her admitting to “no clue”. Now, one would think that someone who has been with me since my working various positions at a hospital as a premed hopeful, through a graduate program in cellular and molecular biology, and the last 5 years working in industry, most recently in the role of applications scientist, would at least be able to rattle off a few key points from my endeavors. However, this is not the case. Sure she can throw around words like cells and proteins (which is generally part of the standard issue hand-waving response) and maybe even throw in the more recent microplates and reader aspects of my current role. But the fact remains there is a real gap in the understanding of what most scientists do, regardless of their field of interest or role, and how it relates to the real world as seen from the perspective of the layperson. I must confess that many of us are to blame for the current disconnect that exists. I have been scolded by said spouse on numerous occasions for talking “way over the head” of many a tentative ear (especially my 6 year old son).

Over the years I have polished up a few introductory sentences that have served me well to answer the often asked question, “So, what do you do for work”. I believe it was a professor that once told me of the powerful acronym KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid (likely to save them from having to read lengthy hand-waving rhetoric on exams). Regardless, maintaining an awareness of the audience being addressed can significantly increase the possibility of a successful dialogue and interpretation by a layperson. While this is certainly not a new idea, it is gaining considerably more attention given the high costs associated with medical and health care and prescription medications. How many individuals are aware of the staggering cost (estimated at over $1 billion) to bring a single new drug to market? Or, as mentioned in a previous post on Scientifically Speaking, the inherent dangers of experimental treatment with stem cells being offered in healthcare facilities in many countries? This issue will continue to become ever more relevant as the ease with which information is accessible continues to grow. It remains the responsibility of those presenting scientific information to insure it is presented in a manner in which the target audience is clear on its interpretation.

21st Century Snake Oil?

Most people are familiar with “patent medicines” which refer to elixirs of questionable medical effectiveness. Patent medicine is particularly associated with the 19th century, where these elixirs were sold with myriad colorful names and even more colorful claims. The term “Snake Oil” originates with a topical preparation made from the Chinese Water Snake (Enhydris chinensis) used by Chinese laborers to treat joint pain. “Snake Oil” has become synonymous with all medicines of dubious authenticity and therapeutic effect.

It was interesting to note the indictment of Vincent Dammai, an assistant professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, last week. He and others are accused of operating a ring that offered unauthorized stem cell treatments for cancer, Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases. It appears this is not an isolated case. A month ago, the International Society for Stem Cell Research reported that it was "very concerned" that stem cell therapies are being sold around the world before they have been proven safe and effective. Is stem cell therapy destined to be the 21st century “snake oil?”