The Lab Coat Project: Dr. Derek Miller

Lab coats are an integral part of the world of microbiology, serving as a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE). When we envision a microbiologist at work wearing their crisp lab coat, we often associate it with professionalism and scientific rigor. However, the reality is that lab coats, while essential, don’t always live up to expectations. For many scientists, they can be a source of frustration rather than confidence.

This is why Dr. Derek Miller, founder of Genius Lab Gear, began The Lab Coat Project. Through this project, Derek aims to create lab coats that not only protect but empower scientists by addressing their unique challenges. Through extensive feedback from over 1,500 scientists, Derek designed lab coats for men and women that will work in various scientific environments, emphasizing comfort and functionality.

In this episode of the Joyful Microbe podcast, Derek shares his vision for this innovative project, focusing on improving external challenges like productivity and safety while also addressing internal issues related to personal comfort and self-image. Our conversation offers insights into an often overlooked aspect of scientific research attire and highlights the potential impact of this initiative on scientists’ lives.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why Derek started The Lab Coat Project
• What challenges do scientists face with lab coats
• The importance of lab coats and safety
• What scientists want in a lab coat based on Derek’s survey of over 1,500 scientists
• The improved lab coat design from The Lab Coat Project

Listen to my episode with Dr. Derek Miller

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Lab Coat Project Timeline:

• Preorders for the lab coats are scheduled to open on August 31, 2023.
• Crowdfunding goal: 600 lab coats (300 men’s and 300 women’s) to be reached within six weeks.
• Manufacturing is expected to take about five months, with a potential delivery date of February 2024 for the lab coats.

Future Developments

• After the initial launch, the project aims to continuously improve the lab coat design based on feedback from users.
• Plans to introduce more colors, different materials, and variations to cater to specific lab environments, including maternity lab coats.
• The survey will remain open to gather more data and insights to inform ongoing improvements.

How to Support The Lab Coat Project

• Share the project on social media, re-share posts, and tag Genius Lab Gear’s social media accounts
• Email the project link to colleagues and friends in the scientific community to raise awareness and support
• Sign up for the newsletter on the project’s website for regular updates and helpful resources

Links & Resources

• The project website is geniuslabgear.com/lcp, where the survey can be accessed.
• Newsletter signup is available on the website, and monthly newsletters include science-related content.
• The project can also be followed on social media with the handle @geniuslabgear

Connect with Dr. Derek Miller

Dr. Derek Miller is the founder of Genius Lab Gear, a small business dedicated to making every day in the lab a little better. He has a PhD in Materials Science, where his research focused on the interactions of nanoparticles with gases and light, which is also when he first realized that most lab coats just aren’t well-designed for scientists. This was the catalyst for starting The Lab Coat Project, where he has collected data from over 1500 scientists on how to make a lab coat that will help scientists look and feel great at work.

Connect with Dr. Derek Miller: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok