By Leah Hromalik To build experience, Lyric McCullouch trained in a variety of laboratories. This experience eventually helped them become a lab technician. Lab technicians play an important role in science because they help prepare materials, conduct tests, organize samples, record results, and keep laboratories running carefully and safely.
Although Lyric became especially interested in genomics and fish, not all of their laboratory experience involved fish. Some of the labs where they trained worked with amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders. Working with different kinds of animals gave Lyric the chance to learn techniques that can apply across many areas of biology.
Scientists often study organisms to better understand how life works. Fish and amphibians can help researchers investigate genetics, development, environmental health, evolution, and disease. Both groups of animals are also connected to aquatic environments, so studying them can provide information about rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other ecosystems.
Laboratory work depends on many STEM skills. Technicians may use mathematics to measure materials, technology to examine and organize data, and biology to understand living organisms. They must also be precise. A small mistake in labeling a sample or recording a measurement can affect an entire experiment.
Lyric’s training shows that useful scientific experience can come from many places. Every lab can teach new skills, whether the subject is fish, amphibians, genetics, or another area of research. By learning in several settings, Lyric built a strong foundation for a career that connects genomics, animals, and laboratory science.
