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Accessible Lab Facilities

The Paleo-FISHES Lab is proud to be the first ADA-accessible lab at WHOI (though we hope not the last!). We are a fully functioning sediment processing and micropaleontology laboratory with a variety of accessibility features, including an ADA compliant sink and fume hood, seated-height and standing-height workspaces, extra-wide aisles for increased maneuverability, rounded corners, lowered storage, open shelving, extra drawers, flashing fire alarms, easily movable stools, inclusive-sized lab-coats, a service dog safety plan, and more. We recognize that not every access need can be met within one space, and that one person's access needs may preclude another's. For this reason, the Paleo-FISHES Lab space is flexible, constantly evolving, and is excited to continue to expand our accessibility as new folks join the lab. The lab also welcomes anyone in the area who has need of an accessible workspace. If this applies to you, please reach out to discuss whether the lab space can support the scientific work that you are doing!

In addition to the accessibility features, the Paleo-FISHES Lab relies on advanced microscopy to do our work. We have a Keyence VHX-7100 Digital microscope, two Leica M205 reflected light microscopes, one Leica S8 Apo light microscope, three Zeiss Discovery V8 light microscopes, and a Zeiss Primo Star light microscope. We also have a sediment processing setup which includes sieves, orbital shaker tables, hot plates, heavy liquid separation capabilities, and more.

The Keyence VHX-7100 digital microscope setup sits on a seated-height desk. It is comprised of two parts: a microscope, which has a mechanized stage and head and is approximately 1 foot square and 1.5 feet tall, and a monitor, which displays the output that the microscope is observing. The monitor is displaying the three-dimensional surface plot of a shark dermal denticle imaged by the Keyence.
Keyence VHX-7100 showing a 3D surface map taken of a shark dermal denticle

Keyence VHX-7100 Digital Microscope

The Keyence VHX-7100 Digital Microscope in the Paleo-FISHES Lab can take high resolution images up to 2500x using both reflected and transmitted light. It is capable of X-Y-Z stitching, and can image objects as large as 10x10cm, and down to just a few microns and occasionally smaller. It can also create 3D contour/surface maps of objects - essential for our work on microfossil morphology. The Keyence Digital Microscope is located in a smaller room with blackout shades that can be used to standardize and block external lighting and improve image quality. If you are a local researcher interested in using the Keyence to take pictures of your research, we are always excited to collaborate, see cool things, and share the instrument! Please reach out to Elizabeth Sibert directly to discuss.

Photo shows the accessible fume hood in the Paleo-FISHES Lab space. It is located near a large window, and has a blue lab chair sitting in front of it at the workstation spot. The fume hood sash is open, and it is clear that the chair easily fits into the empty knee-space in the middle of the fume hood counter.
Accessible fume hood in the Paleo-FISHES Lab

Accessible Fume Hood

The fume hood in the Paleo-FISHES Lab is lowered and includes a designated knee-space to facilitate seated work. It also includes a grab bar on the front of the hood to facilitate safe pushing and pulling into place without having to grab the hood itself. The fume hood was constructed by Air Sentry and includes a push-button hood and sash control system as well as manual hood control. The sash opens vertically and also horizontally, providing options for different users. All controls and outlets are on the front of the hood within easy arms reach while seated.

Accessible Sink is shown with chair in the knee space for scale. The sink has two white DI water faucets, as well as a tap water faucet and an eye wash. To one side of the sink is a drying station with numerous sieves and falcon tubes. To the other side of the sink are some empty beakers and DI water wash bottles. There is a beaker drying rack on the wall behind the sink, and a 8" washing sieve in the sink for scale
Accessible sink and DI Faucets in the Paleo-FISHES Lab

Accessible Sink

The sink in the Paleo-FISHES Lab is on a 32" height counter, and is a 5" deep sink (compared to 8" or 13" for most laboratory sinks). There is a dedicated knee-space under the sink, and the plumbing is protected with a removable wood panel. The faucets are placed on the sides of the sink for easier access. This configuration facilitates seated work, and allows for the user to place and reach objects easily on the bottom of the sink. In our experience, the 5" sink depth makes washing samples easier and more efficient than a traditional sink depth - and we find we make less mess splashing water, too! The two DI water faucets, from PicoTap, are able to hold their position, making it easier to wash samples with minimal dexterity required. Our ultrasonic bath (sieve cleaner) is on a pull-out shelf next to the sink for easy access, with a soundproofed door to keep the sound contained.

A pair of microscopes sits on the corner of a counter. One microscope has a small black tray with dust on it, and the other microscope has a cardboard microfossil slide. These scopes show a sample in the process of being picked through for microfossils.
Microscope Picking Station in the Paleo-FISHES Lab

Microscope Picking Stations

The Paleo-FISHES Lab supports three microscope stations for ichthyolith (and general microfossil/sediment) picking. As these fossils are incredibly small, having two microscopes allows us to work efficiently without losing valuable fossils. Two of these microscope stations are located in the open space of the big lab, and the third is in the smaller room with the Keyence Digital Imaging setup.

Our dissection microscopes can do reflected and transmitted light microscopy and include:
- Leica M205, 10x-120x magnification
- Leica S8 APO, 10x-80x magnification
- Zeiss Discovery V8, 16x-128x magnification
- Zeiss Stemi 508, 10x-80x magnification
We also have a Zeiss Primostar Compound microscope for samples mounted on glass slides.

Accessible Lab Space Photo Gallery

Below are a few more photos showing the different areas of the lab