Tier One Training

Welcome to the Research DEN!

Training tier one: Getting started

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What is the Research DEN?

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The Core Lab Facilities:

Most DEN hubs are located within the Science and Technology Building. Additional research spaces are located in the Skills Center Lab. Science and Technology: Skills Center: Click the + Hub Information to learn more!

• Advanced Microscopy
• Genetics/Cellular Biology
• Environmental Analysis

• Material Science

Hub Information

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Research Culture

what makes the DEN function?

The DEN is built around:

• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Continuous Learning
• Respect for Shared Spaces

A strong research environment depends on communication, responsibility, and shared respect. The DEN is at its best when researchers actively support both the space and each other.

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Research Culture

How researchers function in the lab

Researchers are expected to:

• Label samples clearly
• Ask questions when unsure
• Report problems immediately
• Respect shared equipment
• Leave spaces ready for the next researcher

Hover over the test tubes for labeling tips!

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Shared Workspace Etiquette

A shared lab functions when researchers maintain the space together

Click the buttons to identify workspace issues.

Researcher Expectations:

• Return tools and supplies after use
• Wipe down work areas
• Dispose of waste correctly
• Do not move labeled samples without permission
• Keep walkways and benches clear
• Avoid interrupting active procedures unless necessary

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Accountability

Labeling Documentation & Workspace Maintenance

Click the buttons to identify workspace issues.

Protect the space

Protect your work

Workspace Maintanence

Labeling Expectations:

Acountability

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Sharing the Equipment

Researchers should:

• Reserve equipment responsibly
• Communicate delays or cancellations

• Report equipment issues immediately
• Ask for help if unsure how to proceed

Click on a Scenario:

Researchers are expected to:

• Leave equipment ready for the next user
• Clean surfaces and accessories after use
• Respect scheduled time blocks
• Use equipment only after training

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Equipment access may be restricted if expectations are repeatedly ignored.

When should I be wearing PPE?

General Lab Safety

How to keep everyone safe in the labs

Lab Rules:

• Wear appropriate PPE
• Tie back long hair when necessary
• Keep food/drinks out of the labs unless stored in the designated spots
• Follow posted safety signage
• Ask before using unfamiliar equipment

PPE should be worn when:

Procedures, equipment, or materials create a potential safety risk to you or anyone else in the lab.

Safe research environments depend on awareness, communication, and responsible behavior.

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Hazards in the Lab

Chemical Waste vs Biohazard waste

Chemical waste: Waste that may pose physical, chemical, or environmental hazards.

Biohazard waste: Waste containing biological materials that may carry contamination or disease risk.

What counts as chemical waste?

• Solvents and reagents
• Unknown liquids
• Contaminated pipette tips

Requires approved disposal methods

What counts as biohazard waste?

• Biological samples
• Contaminated consumables
• Agar plates and cultures

Requires designated disposal containers

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Emergency Awareness

What to do when things go wrong

Click on a Scenario:

Stop and notify DEN staff if:

• Equipment behaves unexpectedly
• A spill occurs
• Samples become contaminated
• Glass breaks
• Something feels unsafe
• You are unsure how to proceed

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Research Integrity

The goal of research is to discover what's true

Research Integrity Means:

• Recording what happened, not what you expected
• Reporting mistakes instead of hiding them
• Documenting results, even when they are unexpected
• Letting evidence guide conclusions

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Data Responsibility

Protecting and organizing Research Information

Why Does Data Organization Matter?

Researchers are expected to:

• Store project files in approved shared locations
• Use clear and consistent file names
• Keep data organized and easy to locate
• Protect sensitive or restricted information
• Avoid deleting or moving shared project files without permission

Good data is only valuable if it can be found, understood, and used by others.

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What about Mistakes?

Mistakes happen. Hiding them is the problem.

Click on a Scenario:

Common Research Mistakes

• Label something incorrectly
• Record information incorrectly
• Contaminate a sample
• Forget a step
• Encounter unexpected results

Research integrity is demonstrated by how researchers respond to mistakes.

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Community and Tribal Research

Research should benefit and respect the communities involved

Communication

Long-Term Impact

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Community & Tribal Research recognizes:

• Communities are partners in research
• Local knowledge has value
• Research can affect real people
• Trust takes time to build

Research should leave communities better informed, better supported, or better prepared than before.

Partnership

Why Does Data Organization Matter?

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Read more

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Knowledge Check! Complete the quiz to test all of the skills you just learned!

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Community and Tribal Research

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Research should benefit and respect the communities involved

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TOFU

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MOFU

BOFU

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Community and Tribal Research

Research should benefit and respect the communities involved

Click on a Scenario:

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Collaboration

Research is rarely done alone. Shared storage locations, consistent file organization, and clear naming practices help research teams work together efficiently and access the same information. Good orgnaization supports effective teamwork.

Project Continuity

Research projects often continue after students graduate, staff change positions, or team members leave a project. Organized data allows future researchers to understand previous work, continue projects, and build on existing knowledge. Research often lasts longer then the people working on it.

Case Scenarios:

Data Entered Incorrectly

What should you do?

• Correct the mistake
• Document the change if necesary
• Avoid deleting records without explanation

Research data should remain transparent and traceable.

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Sources: Wilkinson et al. (2016), The FAIR Guiding Principles for Scientific Data Management and Stewardship; Carroll et al. (2020), The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance.

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Case Scenarios:

A substance is spilled

What should you do?

• Stop work immediately
• Avoid touching unknown materials
• Notify DEN staff
• Follow cleanup guidance if instructed

Unknown spills can create safety risks, contamination issues, or equipment damage.

Case Scenarios:

Missed Procedure Step

What should you do?

• Record what happened
• Notify the appropriate person
• Determine whether the procedure should continue or be repeated

Documenting deviations is more valuable than pretending they never happened.

Case Scenarios:

Fire Emergency

What should you do?

• Stop work immediately
• Alert nearby researchers
• Follow emergency procedures
• Evacuate if necessary

Personal safety should always take priority during emergencies.

Case Scenarios:

You find unlabeled samples in the workspace.

• Do not throw materials away immediately
• Avoid moving samples unless necessary
• Notify DEN staff
• Keep materials isolated and undisturbed when possible
• Review labeling expectations before continuing your own work

Case Scenarios:

Equipment Failure

What should you do?

• Stop using the equipment
• Notify DEN staff immediately
• Do not attempt repairs yourself

Continuing to use malfunctioning equipment may create unsafe conditions or damage research materials.

Researchers should:

• Wipe bacteria after procedures
• Return supplies after use
• Dispose of waste properly
• Remove clutter before leaving

Workspace Maintenance:

• Wipe benches
• Return supplies
• Dispose of waste correctly
• Remove clutter
• Leave shared spaces ready for the next researcher

Workspace Maintenance

Clean Workspaces

In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that mold had contaminated one of his bacterial cultures. He observed that the bacteria wasn't growing near the mold, which led to the discovery of penicillin, one of the world's first antibiotics.

Expect the Unexpected...

Researchers don't always find what they set out to find. Sometimes the most important discoveries happen because someone noticed an unexpected result and chose to investigate it instead of ignoring it.

In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen was experimenting with electrical currents when he noticed an unexpected glow coming from a nearby screen. His work led to the discovery of X-rays, which transformed medicine.

Write it down. Don't throw it away. Investigate it.

Engineer Percy Spencer was working with radar equipment when he noticed a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. After investigating further, his work resulted in the development of the microwave oven.

Case Scenarios:

Mislabeled Sample

What should you do?

• Stop and verify the sample
• Notify the project lead or supervisor
• Document the correction

Accurate records are essential for reliable research.

Finding Information

Research data should be easy to locate when it's needed. Clear file names, organized folders, and consistent storage practices help researchers quickly find information and reduce confusion. Good organization saves time and prevents important information from being overlooked.

Case Scenarios:

Unexpected Results

What should you do?

• Record the results
• Review your procedures
• Investigate before assuming an error occured.

Unexpected findings sometimes lead to important discoveries.

labeling Documentation

Labeling Expecations:

Proper labels should include:

• Sample ID/Name
• Date
• Researcher initials or identifier

But why does it matter?

• Prevents sample mix-ups
• Protects research integrity
• Helps others identify materials safely

Case Scenarios:

Unlabeled Samples

What should you do?

• Stop using the equipment
• Notify DEN staff immediately
• Do not attempt repairs yourself

Continuing to use malfunctioning equipment may create unsafe conditions or damage research materials.

Case Scenarios:

Equipment behaves unexpectedly during use.

• Stop using the equipment
• Report the issue to DEN staff immediately
• Record any relevant observations or error messages
• Do not attempt repairs unless authorized
• Wait for guidance before resuming use

Case Scenarios:

You spill material near shared equipment.

• Stop work immediately
• Prevent others from entering the area if necessary
• Notify DEN staff
• Follow proper spill response procedures
• Do not continue using nearby equipment until the area is assessed

Case Scenarios:

Your equipment overlaps with another reservation.

• Communicate with the next researcher
• Notify DEN staff if additional time is needed
• Work together respectfully to coordinate equipment use
• Avoid extending reservations without notice

Supports material testing, durability analysis, and environmental simulation.

Material Science

Focuses on chemical and environmental testing using analytical instrumentation.

Environmental Analysis

Provides molecular biology and cell culture capabilities for genetics. sequencing, PCR and more.

Genetics/Cellular Biology

Provides imaging and visualization tools for examining samples at microscopic scales.

Advanced Microscopy