Life as a Lab Technician: My Journey at Repro-Eco Tox Lab
- Kylie Rock
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
By Paige Powell
A Perfect Happy Medium
After completing my undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University (NCSU), I was eager to gain new research experience but was hesitant to apply to graduate school immediately. Although pursuing further education was a future goal, my primary focus was on becoming financially independent and moving out of my mother's house. Seeking guidance from a mentor at NCSU on job applications, CV development, and career advice, I was introduced to Dr. Kylie Rock. After discussing my situation and objectives with Dr. Rock, she suggested an ideal balance between full-time employment and research: working as a lab technician.
I accepted the position, and the rest became history. We commenced operations at the start of 2024, focusing on setting up equipment, organizing our workspace, managing chemical inventories, and establishing animal use protocols. With the recruitment of our first graduate student, Zack, and a research assistant, Mary, our team began to take form.
Tiger Takeover: Students Join the Lab
As our lab community blossomed and the number of projects skyrocketed, I was absolutely thrilled to embrace a variety of exciting responsibilities! With Mel, Maryam, and Ansley joining the team, our grad student count soared to four. Every day in the ReproEco Tox lab was a new adventure!
We had Maryam’s mouse project in full swing, frequent sediment sampling trips for Zack’s project, and I kicked off an exhilarating pilot project exploring PFAS uptake in hydroponic crops. We also forged thrilling collaborations with alligator and shark scientists nationwide, and our freezer was packed with muscle and blood samples awaiting mercury (Hg) analysis. To tackle our bustling workload, we enlisted incredible undergraduates who I've had the joy of watching grow into budding researchers during their time in the lab. They arrive every day with beaming smiles and an eagerness to tackle any task we throw their way—even if it involves homogenizing regurgitated nematodes!
Outreach - A Repro-Eco Tox Lab Specialty
My most exhilarating experience as a lab technician was leading our summer camp session at the local community center! With the fantastic support from Clemson Science Outreach, I crafted an exciting curriculum where campers discovered how caffeine affects organisms by exposing tiny, aquatic flatworms called planaria to coffee, tea, and energy drinks, and observing their fascinating behavioral changes. We also unleashed our creativity, and campers got to paint and proudly take home a “Planarian Scientist” T-shirt. With the incredible support of my lab and a neighboring lab, we pulled off an exhausting, yet incredibly fun afternoon with the local students. I can't wait to continue our outreach adventures for many more summers to come!
Day in the Life of a Lab Tech
With so many exciting projects happening, every day is an adventure filled with diverse tasks! I've mastered the art of juggling benchwork alongside my daily lab tech duties. Mentoring undergraduates in the art of pipetting, running samples on the mercury analyzer, and maintaining cell cultures has not only lightened my workload but also provided them with invaluable research experience. Every day, I ensure the lab is in top shape by managing supplies, checking that our shower and eyewash stations are functioning perfectly, monitoring compressed gas tank levels, washing dishes, autoclaving tools, and keeping our lab spotlessly clean. Plus, I have the delightful role of being the lab's "vibe curator," a responsibility I embrace wholeheartedly. Keeping our students and PI in high spirits and making their lives easier is a crucial part of my job. After all, a happy lab is a productive lab! (Okay, maybe I'm not sure who originally said that, but it’s totally true!)
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