Lab Departure Checklist

1. Finish experiments and writing manuscripts -- this is VERY difficult to do after leaving the lab
2. Provide soft and hard-bound copies of thesis to PI (if appropriate)
3. Schedule meeting with PI and/or lab manager
4. Dispose of useless reagents and clean up lab area and glassware
5. Organize and catalog samples
   1. Plasmids and strains should be consolidated into as few boxes as possible
   2. An index to the sample box(es) should be placed in your notebook that describes the location and identity of each sample in sample boxes
6. Back up data onto optical media (CD/DVD); give to lab manager
   1. CD/DVD should indicate which computer/file system the files are/were available
   2. Backed up digital data should include: manuscripts, thesis, NMR spectra, fluorescence/UV/CD spectra, titrations, gels, graphs, DNA sequence data, mass spectra, etc.
7. Finish making notebook entries; give notebooks to lab manager
8. Give lab manager contact and forwarding information
9. Return keys to lab manager
10. Good fortune, best wishes and keep in touch!