Frequently Asked Questions
The Discovery Lab is Virginia Tech’s newest experiential learning space for student-led collaborative research, prototyping, and experimentation. With over 6,000 square feet of space equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and equipment designed to spark student creativity, exploration, and transformative problem solving.
The Discovery Lab is available to any student at Virginia Tech who has completed the required safety and technical training. Currently access is limited to students who are participating in one of the Lab’s undergraduate research experiences or are registered for a class being hosted by the Discovery Lab.
Faculty can also request materials/equipment to support their classes and activities, integrate the Lab’s instruments into the coursework, and serve as mentors to student research teams. Faculty should complete our host a program interest form and tell us more about how they would want to engage with the Discovery Lab.
Yes! All users participating in programs hosted by the Discovery Lab are required to complete the online orientation and an in-person tour of the lab. Additionally, to use instruments and equipment located in the Discovery Lab’s various technical spaces, users are required to complete on-line training modules and be signed off by a Peer Leader before using any instrument or equipment.
You can find an overview of the instruments located in the Discovery Lab’s different Technical Spaces.
Users should store their backpacks in one of the available lockers located in the student storage area. There are lockers assigned to students working on Discovery Lab undergraduate research experiences and general storage lockers. General storage lockers are available to students who are registered for a class activity being hosted by the Discovery Lab.
The Discovery Lab’s “Dirty Lab” can process samples for materials/organisms that: are not associated with consistent disease in healthy adult humans; present minimal hazard to the environment; and require general lab sterilization techniques for disposal.
The “Dirty Lab” CANNOT process samples that are: diagnostic specimens from humans or animals and/or acute biological toxins.
If there are any additional questions, email the Discovery Lab’s Instrument and Facility Manager at discoverylab@vt.edu.
Take a moment to introduce yourself to other users working in the Lab. You can also follow the Discovery Lab on Instragram @disco_lab_vt
The Discovery Lab does not maintain resources for nucleic acid amplification –polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most used method - as such resources are readily available across campus. However, facility users can utilize equipment in the Lab to analyze recombinant materials/organisms prepared in another location, with approval by the Discovery Lab's Instrument and Facility Manager.
Your Hokie Passport is required to utilize the projector and/or meeting system located in the “Parlor”. Instructions are available on the display at the lectern once you have signed in. If you need help, use the info card at the Lectern to get in touch with Classroom Audiovisual Services.
Reach out to a Peer Leader or a member of the Discovery Lab Leadership Team (available in RM 140B and 142A). Peer Leaders all wear a Virginia Tech lanyard.
The Discovery Lab provides short-term storage for materials, reagents and products associated with all projects. Users must fully label all materials stored in the Discovery Lab, with materials in cold storage logged into a cold storage spreadsheet maintained by the Instrument and Facility Manager.