Advanced Lab Management

Lab Crisis Preparation

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What this lab crisis preparation course covers for laboratory management

This course prepares laboratory professionals to anticipate, plan for, and respond to crises that can disrupt operations, damage facilities, and threaten years of scientific work.

Crises in laboratory environments can take many forms—natural disasters, fires, power outages, supply chain disruptions, or disease outbreaks—and they often happen with little warning. Without a plan in place, labs risk losing critical samples, data, equipment, and even the ability to recover.

In this course, you’ll learn how to build a structured crisis preparation plan, protect critical assets, and ensure your lab can respond quickly and recover effectively when a crisis occurs.
  • Area of Study

    Advanced Lab Management

  • Course Duration

    1 hour

  • CEUs

    0.1

    • Learner Feedback

           4.2/5

    “Real-life examples highlight risks that are easy to overlook until it’s too late.”
    “Helps you think through what to prepare for before a crisis occurs.”
    “A strong introduction to building a crisis preparation plan for your lab.”
    Illustration of Advanced Lab Management Certificate on a computer screen | Lab Manager Academy

    Why crisis preparation is essential for laboratory continuity and risk management

    Many laboratories don’t prioritize crisis planning—until it’s too late.

    Without preparation, labs often face:
    • Loss of irreplaceable samples, data, and research
    • Extended downtime and delayed recovery
    • Safety risks for staff and facilities
    • Supply chain disruptions that halt operations
    • Significant financial and reputational impact
    Effective crisis preparation allows laboratories to protect what matters most, respond with clarity, and recover faster with less disruption.

    Key benefits of lab crisis preparation planning

    • Protect critical samples, data, and intellectual property: Develop plans to safeguard the most valuable and irreplaceable elements of your lab.
    • Reduce downtime and accelerate recovery: Prioritize key functions and allocate resources effectively during a crisis.
    • Improve decision-making under pressure: Establish clear plans that reduce uncertainty and support faster, more confident responses.
    • Strengthen resilience across laboratory operations: Build systems that allow your lab to adapt to a wide range of crisis scenarios.

    What you will learn in this lab crisis preparation course?

    By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to:

    • Identify at least three different crises that could severely impact a lab
    • List planning actions that are part of an effective crisis preparation plan
    • Explain why current contact lists are important for crisis preparation
    • Recognize at least three planning actions to prepare for staffing issues during a crisis
    • Describe planning steps that will help to protect key samples and knowledge for faster recovery after a crisis

    Don’t let a crisis situation destroy your experiments and career.

    Learn how to protect your lab, your people, and your work before disruption happens. Part of a 10-course program designed to strengthen resilience, planning, and leadership in laboratory environments.

    Enroll in the Advanced Lab Management Certificate to build a more resilient and prepared lab.

    Meet The Instructor

    Tracy Durnan

    MBA

    Years of Experience
    Tracy Durnan has more than 30 years of experience as a researcher and administrator in biomedical research. She served for 15 years as Senior Manager of Facilities Operations and Laboratory Support at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she led the onboarding of new research labs and major process improvements across research and hospital operations. In 2017, Tracy received the Sylvester Stars Award, recognizing excellence in research administration.

    Over the course of her career, Tracy has led more than a dozen major laboratory renovation projects and is widely recognized for her expertise in disaster preparedness. She has published on the topic in Lab Manager magazine and presented at national conferences.

    Prior to Sylvester, Tracy was Research Laboratory Coordinator at MD Anderson Cancer Center and has also held laboratory leadership roles at NASA and the University of Colorado Medical Center.

    Tracy holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado State University and an MBA in health sector policy and administration from the University of Miami.

    Watch the first module free: Start with the introduction video

    Click the Introduction video in the first section to access the opening lesson at no cost. Create a free account to preview this laboratory crisis preparation training and see how you can protect your lab, your people, and your work.

    Course Content

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    How this course strengthens resilience in laboratory leadership

    This course is part of our 10-course Advanced Lab Management Certificate program designed to help laboratory leaders improve resilience, risk management, and operational continuity.

    Built for laboratory leaders responsible for risk and continuity

    Designed for professionals who need to protect people, data, and research in high-risk environments.

    Earn recognized credentials as part of a broader leadership program

    Receive 0.1 IACET-accredited CEUs and build toward a comprehensive certificate in advanced laboratory management.

    Practical, application-focused crisis planning training

    Learn actionable strategies you can apply immediately to strengthen your lab’s preparedness.

    Frequently asked questions about lab crisis preparation

    What is lab crisis preparation?

    Lab crisis preparation involves planning for events that could disrupt operations, damage facilities, or impact staff, and creating strategies to respond and recover effectively.

    Who should take this lab crisis preparation course?

    This course is designed for laboratory managers, supervisors, and professionals responsible for protecting lab operations, staff, and research.

    What types of crises are covered in this course?

    The course explores a range of scenarios, including natural disasters, fires, power outages, supply chain disruptions, and disease outbreaks.

    How is this lab crisis preparation course applied in real laboratory settings?

    You’ll learn how to build a crisis preparation plan, protect critical assets, and apply strategies to real-world scenarios to improve readiness and response.

    Does this course provide CEUs?

    Yes. This course awards 0.1 IACET-accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon completion.

    Do I need prior experience in crisis planning?

    No. This course provides a practical introduction to crisis preparation, with tools and frameworks that can be applied immediately.

    What are the technical requirements for this course?

    The course is delivered fully online and self-paced. You only need a stable internet connection and a device capable of streaming video content.

    How does this course fit into the Advanced Lab Management Certificate?

    This course is one of 10 included in a comprehensive program designed to help laboratory leaders strengthen leadership, resilience, and operational performance.

    Can I enroll as part of a team or organization?

    Yes. We offer corporate training options, including site licenses and group enrollment packages for organizations looking to train multiple team members.

    Contact us to learn more about team training options.
    Lab Manager Academy is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.