Critical laboratory research activities

Critical laboratory research activities include:

• Laboratory activity in support of human subjects’ research deemed essential under existing Penn State Human Subjects Research guidelines (which therefore will continue with appropriate modifications to eliminate or limit face to face interaction or contact).
• Activity in process (i.e., active experiments) that if discontinued would generate significant and irrevocable data and sample loss.   Any activity that can be paused, should be paused – no new experimental runs should be initiated.
• Activity that if discontinued would pose a safety hazard.
• Activity that maintains critical equipment in facilities and laboratories.
• Activity that maintains critical samples, reagents, and materials. 
• Activity that maintains animal populations and specially developed plant populations.
• COVID-19 related activity that has a timeline for deployment that could address the current crisis.

Questions

Even those activities deemed critical should be carried out with limited personnel, following all recommended health and safety procedures (e.g., stringent social distancing and strict cleaning protocols for labs and equipment). If you have questions as to whether an activity is considered critical, please contact Kathryn Drager, Associate Dean for Research (kdd5@psu.edu).