Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Utilizes Confience’s Sample Master® LIMS to Efficiently Manage their Ecological Samples
For over 25 years, Cary Institute has entrusted Sample Master with its valuable research data.
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is dedicated to understanding how ecosystems work. Founded in 1983 by eminent ecologist Gene Likens, Cary Institute is one of the world’s leading independent environmental research organizations. Their staff have a deep understanding of the key drivers of ecological change, among them climate change, invasive species, and human influence on land and water. Cary Institute scientists are global experts in the ecology of:
- Disease: To protect people from diseases that originate in wildlife and livestock – such as Ebola, Zika, and Lyme – Cary Institute scientists are unraveling the environmental conditions that amplify disease risk and developing tools to predict and prevent their spread.
- Freshwater: Cary Institute scientists are studying streams, rivers, and lakes across the US and around the world to understand how they are responding to threats like climate change, salinization, algal blooms, and novel contaminants. Their findings guide effective management.
- Forests: Forests provide essential services, such as clean air and water and carbon storage – but they are under threat. Scientists at Cary Institute are studying the effects of invasive pests and pathogens, biomass energy, pollution, and forestry practices to inform sound forest management.
- Urban: Sustainable cities support the health of residents and the environment. Scientists at Cary Institute are working to understand the urban ecosystem and develop nature-based solutions to combat challenges brought about by climate change.
The Institute’s research support staff comprises of program managers, lab technicians, and individuals who collect, sample and measure at field sites and analyze, count, and do data processing in laboratories. At any one time there are approximately 40 research assistants working with scientists at the Institute’s labs in Millbrook as well as at sites at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, in New Hampshire, and elsewhere across the U.S. and abroad. The Institute also hosts both long and short-term visits by scientists for research and collaboration with the Cary Institute scientific staff. Visitors have the opportunity to learn new procedures in analytical chemistry and data management. Cary Institute scientists also participate in collaborations with students from many different universities including the University of Connecticut, Rutgers University and Yale University.
Their Challenge
The Cary Institute is one of the largest ecological programs in the world, with 73 research sites in 20 different countries. More important than its size, however, is the quality of its output. Books and articles authored by Cary Institute ecologists influence scientists and policy makers. They have been instrumental in informing the Clean Air Act amendments, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Environmental Protection Agency, and management practices throughout the Northeast. The Cary Institute Central Analytical Laboratory required a LIMS to ensure the quality and reliability of its data, including traceability.
Denise Schmidt, Director of Laboratory Research Facilities and Analytical Service / LIMS Administrator
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Analytical Laboratory
Our Solution
The Cary Institute Central Analytical Laboratory chose Confience’s Sample Master LIMS to efficiently manage the ecological samples that they analyze. Sample Master generates QA/QC charts in the QA/QC module and control charts and trending are reviewed to evaluate precision and accuracy over time. Sample Master also contains powerful reporting functions that have allowed the creation of many different reports. Over five dozen standard reports are included with Sample Master; which can all be modified.
The laboratory also implemented Result Point®, a unique web portal that provides 24/7 access to sample status, test results, reports and more, at any time and from any location with an internet connection. Result Point is an ideal data-sharing solution that provides the laboratory with easy, flexible, secure access to their information.
In addition, with Sample Master, instrument output files are seamlessly uploaded; eliminating transcription errors and decreasing the time required to provide results. By implementing bar coding and instrument integration, data is seamlessly migrated into the LIMS. This allows the laboratory staff to focus on data reduction rather than data entry.
For over twenty-five years, the Analytical Laboratory at the Cary Institute has relied on Sample Master to ensure data integrity and successfully manage its valuable research data.
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