Research

Want to work at MLBS?

The Director of Mountain Lake Biological Station invites scientists interested in conducting research at the field station to contact us to discuss potential work. Researchers will be asked to submit a Research Application for our review. We solicit research proposals that will be well served by the Station's resources, facilities, and biology, and that do not interfere with ongoing programs. Short Research Reports are requested annually for both finishing and continuing projects. Research, teaching, collecting, or activity of any kind requires permission from the Director. Requests for financial support for research (part of the Research Application) are due by March 15.

 User Handbook (PDF)

Research Programs

• Active Research Programs (under construction)
• Completed Research (under construction)

Working at MLBS

Projects will be assigned lab/office and field space, and will have full use of all shared station facilities, equipment, and computer services. PIs are encouraged to contact the Station in advance to confirm equipment availability and to make any special arrangements for facilities use. All station residents pay room and board fees. User fees and space fees also apply. An approved research application is required prior to beginning any kind of collecting or research. Please note that anyone wishing to stay at the station must also complete a housing request to secure a housing reservation.  A liability waiver is also required. Work with vertebrate animals requires special approval.

Master's Degree Program

Requirements for the MS degree in Biology at MLBS

Making a Splash?

Have a paper or story coming out in Science, Nature, or some other high profile or general public venue? Please let us know! We maintain a Refworks database of publications by Mountain Lake researchers. We also post news items on our web site, Facebook, and Twitter, and relay exciting stories to the UVA Public Relations Office and the Cavalier Daily campus newspaper. Email links or announcements to mlbs@virginia.edu.

Acknowledgment to MLBS

We ask all individuals and institutions that conduct research at the Station or use Station data to acknowledge and/or credit "Mountain Lake Biological Station, University of Virginia" in all publications, presentations, or other products. 

Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching

All Station users who use vertebrate animals in their work at MLBS must either posses a current and approved UVA Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) Protocol, or provide the material listed below for UVA review.

Non-UVA IACUC protocols must be received at least 60 days prior to initiation of work. Electronic copies of the following should be submitted by email to the Station:

1. Vertebrate animal care and use protocol from the PI’s parent institution with signed verification of protocol approval. Protocol must accurately and completely address all the vertebrate work to be conducted at MLBS. 
2. Two short paragraph statements: PI training and PI experience. This is likely already a part of your protocol.
3. List of all trainees or animal handlers. This is also likely already a part of your protocol.
4. Copies of all applicable permits.

This institution (University of Virginia) has an Animal Welfare Assurance on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health (PHS Assurance #A3245-01). This assurance was renewed on 06/20/2011 and is valid until 06/30/2015.

UVA Laboratory Policies and Safety Regulations

Laboratory users are required to follow University regulations and policies concerning chemical and other lab safety.

 UVA Environmental Health and Safety

Permitting Agencies

Station users are responsible for obtaining all required permits before initiating work. Helpful contacts may include: