Virology Laboratory Guidelines

Abstract

Starting work in a virology research laboratory as a new technician, graduate student, or postdoc can be complex, intimidating, confusing, and stressful. From laboratory logistics to elemental expectations to scientific specifics, there is much to learn. To help new laboratory members adjust and excel, a series of guidelines for working and thriving in a virology laboratory is presented. While guidelines may be most helpful for new laboratory members, everyone, including principal investigators, is encouraged to use a set of published guidelines as a resource to maximize the time and efforts of all laboratory members. The topics covered here are safety, wellness, balance, teamwork, integrity, reading, research, writing, speaking, and timelines.

Keywords: advice; career; diversity; education; employment; environment; guidance; inclusion; mentoring; training.

FIG 1

Diversity-and-inclusion statement. This example can serve as a starting point for a laboratory to develop its own diversity-and-inclusion statement.