"Kaitlyn is integral to our lab's function. She has a hand in training every student and tech that comes through the lab. In every lab meeting, Kaitlyn goes over the housekeeping announcements to ensure that the lab environment is one that everybody loves. I truly appreciate the environment that Kaitlyn has created for us. In addition, Kaitlyn takes the time to meet with lab members one-on-one to ensure that the lab's experiments are running smoothly and that we are being respectful to everyone's need for different supplies in the lab. Without Kaitlyn, the whole thing would be a HUGE mess. I am so humbled by the work she does everyday to keep the lab running so smoothly. She is in fact the mortar that keeps our bricks together."

Shreya Bellampalli, Mayo Clinic, United States

"I am the laboratory principal investigator. In this role, I was lucky to have Kaitlyn be my very first hire, when she came out of college 7 years ago. I remember the interview well. Kaitlyn stood far above the other candidates. Her grades were outstanding, her research experiences were focused, and her previous labs had glowing recommendations, she was intelligent and thoughtful when answering questions. It was a no brainer decision, and I have never looked back. Kaitlyn has established procedures and experimental protocols, a range of models which have propelled a research to multiple NIH grants, high profile publications, novel scientific ideas, and a genuine possibility of helping our patients. Kaitlyn does difficult things without complaining, persistently making progress, mentoring those around her, both up and down mentoring. I can genuinely say if my lab is a wheel, then Kaitlyn is the hub from which all the spokes project. She has quickly risen to senior technologist position and is currently mentoring a junior technologist to be able to manage dozens of models, develop new ones, and at the same time perform science. She spearheaded our COVID efforts, and we were able to continue our work throughout the pandemic. She is the person in the lab to whom all people come with questions, both scientific and personal. In addition to the administrative, leadership and management skills, Kaitlyn is an outstanding scientist. She has developed single cell sequencing of epithelial got touch receptors which formed the first critical bits of data which we used to build an excited and field transformative stories. I look forward to working with Kaitlyn as a servant leader, providing her whatever resources she needs to continue making this amazing ascent. Kaitlyn is very clearly our lab hero, and I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of this recognition."

Arthur Beyder, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Dr. Arthur Beyder's Lab, Mayo Clinic, USA

"Kaitlyn is a very responsible, passionate lab technician who has supported Beyder Lab for almost 10 years now (long before I joined the lab). She is very supportive and friendly, working from managing all administrative issues, to animal handling and assisting with experiments. When I first joined the lab, she paid extra care to teach me the necessary lab techniques; she is very patient whenever other members ask her questions; I appreciate her help very much and I think she should be nominated as our Lab Hero!"

Xi Yu, Dr. Arthur Beyder's Lab, Mayo Clinic, United States

Nomination Category: Lab Supporter

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Who's your Lab Hero?

This is your chance to give back to the scientists who make – or who have made – a positive difference to your life, career, and workplace. That might be putting in extra effort in the lab, supporting their colleagues in difficult times, producing incredible results through their work, or making the lab a better place for everyone...

NOMINATE YOUR LAB HERO NOW!

Nominations close 8th December 2021. T&Cs apply.