July / August 2009 Contents

Valuing Diversity

There are many challenges in developing and managing laboratory diversity, but lab management would suffer without the multiple perspectives and experiences afforded by a diverse workforce. Discover how greater diversity can enhance your lab's ability to innovate as well as its productivity.

John K. Borchardt

Perspective On: An Academic Research Lab

At academic research labs, faculty members once managed independently, not as part of a group. While this approach still exists, much more cross-disciplinary collaboration is being promoted within universities. The view seems to be that "problems that need to be solved can't be solved by one person anymore."

Bernard Tulsi

Performance Reviews

With a bit of forethought, performance reviews can be developed into very useful tools to help employees focus their efforts, enhance their performance and contribute to improving their organizations' bottom lines. Done well, they can even improve staff motivation and morale.

John K. Borchardt

Local is the New Green

Almost no one disputes the value of "going green" as a way to improve the health of the planet — it's also good for business. Labs have begun to look at green initiatives as a way to attract top talent as they become more competitive in addressing the world's needs.

Tanya Candia

What's That Sticker on My Fume Hood Anyway?

Fume hoods are important and critical pieces of equipment in many labs, but they don't lend themselves to proper operation. This article examines how a competent certification company can align the operator, the laboratory environment and the hood itself to improve effective hood use.

James S. Sigler

Laboratory Retrofit

As energy prices rise and commitment to sustainability increases, universities are developing methods for reducing energy consumption. An analysis of facilities at UC San Diego revealed that retrofitting constant volume (CV) air supply and exhaust systems with variable frequency drives (VFDs) could achieve significant energy savings.

Trista Little

Journey to the Efficient Lab

Sometimes a new perspective from the outside can lead to unexpected and happy results. See how a university team helped this lab manager improve the efficiency of his testing environment, which led to more satisfied customers, monetary savings, and less overtime for lab staff.

Mark V. Gibson

Science Matters

Standing Out in a Challenging Economy

Rich Pennock

Product Focus

Incubators

Microscopy

Microscopy Accessories

Technology News

The latest equipment, instrument and system introductions to the laboratory market.

Lab Safety

Take This Jar & Shelve It

Glenn Ketcham and Vince McLeod

How It Works

Gas Process Automation

Live Cell Analysis Under Shear Flow

Supercritical Water Oxidation Technology For TOC