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  • CAREER COLUMN

How to set up your new lab space

An empty room can be intimidating. But with some thoughtful planning, you can create a thriving scientific community.
By
  1. Marissa Coppola

    1. Marissa Coppola is a research specialist at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in California.

  2. Jessica W. Tsai

    1. Jessica W. Tsai is an assistant professor of paediatrics and a paediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in California and the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Jessica Tsai and Marissa Coppola pose for a photo in their lab while holding opened boxes of media bottles

Marissa Coppola (left) and Jessica Tsai (right) took a systematic approach when setting up their new lab space and organizing equipment and supplies. Credit: Marissa Coppola, Jessica Tsai

The first time that J.W.T. flew to California to check out her new laboratory, she looked around with astonishment. “Oh gosh,” she thought, “now I have to figure out how to fill this space!”

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01479-6

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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