SAFE Labs

IRIBHMComputationalLabs_2026:

We will give updates on project writing, spending/grants, and lab recruitment during lab meetings.

CzarkwianiLab_2026:

Transparency - this pillar is crucial for good communication, and good communication is the solution to 99% of problems we encounter in the lab. It relates not only to being transparent about our work, including insights gained, difficulties encountered, and any mistakes (errors are an integral part of learning and development), but also on the part of the PI to be as transparent as possible about the lab. This will be implemented by regular updates from the PI in the form of state-of-the-lab talks, which will include information on lab management, policies, budget, goals, failures, grant applications etc.

OttLab_2025:

At the annual retreat, I update the lab about the state of the lab, management challanges, grant and financial situations, and equipment. We also discuss how I or the team can address management challenges.

ReinhardLab_2025:

Several mechanisms are in place to update all team members on lab management issues (responsibilities of lab managers, funding situation, costs etc.): Biweekly lab meetings: The PI presents at the biweekly lab meetings. Often, these presentations will be about lab management related aspects. Lab costs and funding are documented in detail and accessible to all lab members. Like this, everyone can get an idea of what “stuff costs” and what the funding situation of the lab is. Grant applications are shared and, if adequate, lab members contribute to writing, budgeting etc. Postdocs who aim to leave soon will have dedicated meetings with the PI to discuss relevant aspects to lab management. The PI participates often in informal lunches, coffee breaks or other opportunities to ask and discuss about lab management topics.

INSIGHTLab_2026:

Lab members will be kept informed about lab developments information via email. Relevant information includes spending, grant applications, and outlook for the future. Lab members will be involved to provide feedback on grant applications and funding considerations that affect the future of the lab.

Anonymous lab:

[The lab]’s management group (academic staff and theme leads) meets online (Teams) the first Monday of every month at 10am. General group issues, including the progress of projects and operational issues, are discussed. Attendance is required from [lab] Directors and theme leads, but optional to other members of [the lab]. If you have an issue that you would like the management group to discuss, you can come along and raise yourself or pass this to your theme lead who will be able to raise it on your behalf.

RadzisheuskayaLab_2025:

Yearly state of the lab meeting: at the end of the year, I will give a lab management update to go over our spending, funding applications, achievements over the past year and the vision for the next one.

CoenLab_2025:

Every ~6 weeks, we have a Lab Update meeting where we discuss and improve lab management and operations, and address any concerns or questions. During these meetings, Pip will also provide updates on future lab funding, events, and other matters.

Using the page dedicated to a specific lab update meeting, please add items to the agenda that you would like to discuss in this weeks meeting. This can be any aspect of general lab business, from how we store and manage data, to which snacks to get for lab meetings.

AeryJonesLab_2026:

Every January, I give a “state of the lab” talk to be transparent about how and why I make decisions and to give a primer on managing a lab. In this talk, I’ll share the past and future years’ strategies for spending, grants, hiring, publishing, and other activities. We’ll celebrate our lab’s accomplishments and set our sights on the next chapter.

AlyLab_2026:

At some point, you will likely be asked to provide a figure or two for a grant Mariam is writing, and/or provide feedback on the grant. You are entitled to read any grant Mariam has submitted, whether it is ultimately funded or not. Aside from being a good opportunity to learn how grants are written, this will also allow you to see her vision for the lab in the years ahead. Ask Mariam to see any of her grants.

BIRDLab_2026:

We’re transparent about funding. Each fall, Christina gives a State of the Lab update on the lab’s funding, major initiatives, and plans for the year ahead. Ask anytime about your appointment, support, or future funding. All salaries are overseen by MAE financial officers and follow UC Davis union agreements.

CobeyLab_2026:

We keep copies of funded and unfunded grants in the “Grant proposals” project on Asana. Assume these grants are confidential and do not share them outside the lab. Feel free to ask me about them if you have questions, and if you write a fellowship proposal, please add your submitted proposal (excluding the budget) to the project.

KirbyLab_2026:

First, we will open every lab meeting with a general lab business discussion. This is an excellent time to bring up issues or points of information that would be useful for the whole lab. Some examples: learning about a new bug in the ordering system, noticing something being done incorrectly in the lab such as leaving the lids off the gel electrophoresis chambers, new info from the animal facility about how our colony will be cleaned/arranged. I will sometimes use this forum to announce things of general interest to the lab, such as: new organization systems, upcoming conferences, upcoming lab cleaning days, departmental news such as staff or leadership changes.

MsEELab_2026:

At the start of every academic term, MsEE Lab holds a “State of the Lab” meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to assess how the lab’s actions align with its goals and how its goals align with its guiding principles, and to adjust actions and/or goals accordingly.

In preparation for this meeting, Pablo discusses the state of each research project with all lab members involved. The lab members involved in a paper then create one slide summarizing its status. Additionally, members of the lab fill out an online survey providing feedback on the lab’s management and Pablo’s mentorship.

A number of things happen during the meeting itself:

1. Pablo presents the lab’s guiding principles, five-year goals, and general one-year goals (~5 min).
2. Lab members present a quick overview of research projects ongoing in the lab with their goals for the upcoming year. Plans for changes in current projects or potential new lines of work are presented (~10 min).
3. Pablo presents the lab’s current funding status, expenses, and potential changes in personnel for the upcoming term (~5 min). Feedback received in the survey that pertains to this topic is included.
4. The lab discusses alignment between guiding principles, goals, projects, funding, and other activities (~15 min).
5. Pablo reviews any action items from the previous State of the Lab meeting regarding lab management and mentorship practices, and presents the aggregated feedback received in the survey (~10 min).
6. The lab discusses potential improvements on lab management and mentorship practices, including changes to the MsEE Lab Handbook, and defines action items to be pursued next (~15 min).

Notes and results of this meeting are communicated in writing to all lab members by Pablo.

RIPLRT_2026:

Each RIPLRT member is entitled to read any grant Dr. Rivera has submitted, whether it is ultimately funded or not: all grant documentations, similarly to everything else in RIPLRT, is available intra-lab within our Google Drive. Aside from being a good opportunity to learn how grants are written, this will also allow us to see his vision for the lab in the years ahead.