10 Traits of a Science Lab Superhero

With great power, comes great responsibility...

You may not be wearing a cape right now, and hopefully you wear your underwear on the inside, but according to Vitl Life Science Solutions, laboratory scientists like you are the real superheroes…

1. The Dexterity of Mister Fantastic

Mister Fantastic has been imbued with the power to change his molecular structure, which allows him to reach from one end of his lab bench to the other, as easily as a regular person might pick up their coffee cup. It isn’t much of a stretch (pun intended) to appreciate that in order to work effectively in today’s laboratory environment, the ability to spread yourself across multiple tasks is a must.

2. The Analytical Mind of Rocket Raccoon

Marvel’s favorite furry animal might be a little unhinged, but if there’s one good thing about him, it’s his sharp analytical mind. Granted, creating an arsenal isn’t part of most laboratories' day to day operations, but having a mind that can take a jumbled set of facts, techniques and equipment, and condense that into a working analytical method, is nothing short of heroic.

3. The Efficiency of Dr Manhattan

While most physicists you know have not been transformed into blue-skinned god-like beings, there is a little of the good doctor in each of us. Among his outstanding repertoire of skills lays one very important characteristic – Dr Manhattan perceives the past, present and future as one and the same. How often do you find yourself having to consider these three variables simultaneously? You know when you put your assay on, where it is at the moment, and that at some point in the future you will want lunch.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

4. The Speed of The Flash

When it comes to pure, unadulterated speed, The Flash is the undisputed king of the foot race. In fact, put him in a lab coat and a list of tasks, and he isn’t far off how many laboratory scientists need to act. Lightning fast, moving from one task to another seamlessly, but most importantly, staying under control.

5. The Accuracy of Hawkeye

You’ve managed to find time for lunch and you’ve mastered the art of moving around the lab at the speed of light; what’s left? Well, all that time management and speed is useless without accuracy – the byword of any laboratory operation. Everything in your daily routine involves accuracy, from calibration of instrumentation and equipment to making sure that the fifty microliters you just pipetted truly is fifty microliters. Accuracy – it always matters.

6. The Adaptability of Mystique

What’s more adaptable than being able to become whoever you need to be to get the job done? That adaptability applies itself to the laboratory in more ways than one. New methods, new ideas, and new challenges are all regular occurrences across the disciplines, and the ability to change with the times and find new solutions is a must in any modern day lab environment.

You might not be able to transform into your boss and give yourself the pay rise you’ve been hankering for, but you can still ensure that things go as smoothly as possible.

7. The Rigor of Groot

I am Groot.

Need more?

Okay − harsh and demanding situations require a rock solid (or wood-solid) mind to get through. Maybe your boss needs a report that will take you a day to complete… by the same afternoon? That’s where we can take a leaf (or twig!) out of Groot’s book. He's as tough as they come, surviving a spaceship crash-landing at the end of his first movie appearance. Now, if that isn’t a clear example of someone who keeps going and gets the job done, we don’t know what is.

8. The Integrity of Captain America

The ultimate poster boy of freedom, justice, and great muscle tone, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, will not only get the job done, but he’ll make sure it gets done with morality and integrity. That same devotion means that today’s lab scientist places the integrity of their work above all others. Maybe it would be quicker not to calibrate your pipette, or perhaps one of your curves doesn’t quite line up nicely? Never. Morality is your code, truth your companion, and the knowledge that you still managed to get the work done on time your reward.

No - it's Labman!

9. The Organization of Nick Fury

What do you get when you take a man with one eye, an incredible mind, and a huge sum of money – that’s right, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, aka S.H.I.E.L.D. Keeping up with an organization of that size takes serious organization, and Mr Fury has that in spades.

While you may not find yourself in charge of humanity’s last line of defense, an organized lab is a happy lab. Get rid of those piled up cardboard boxes and bring in labeled plastic containers. Stop trudging across the lab from your centrifuge to your block heater, and get them next to each other! Organization might seem obvious, but take a step back and see how well you’re really doing.

10. The Focus of Professor X

Need to find a new mutant to join your team, or find out what your enemy is thinking? Professor X is your man. The world’s most powerful telepath can do all of this and more because of one thing – his focus. Cerebro might give him the equipment to do his job, like your PCR machine might give you the equipment to do yours, but, like the Professor, focus and concentration are vital!

Of course, what we haven’t mentioned yet is that all great superheroes have a secret weapon. Wolverine’s claws, Captain America’s Vibranium shield – the list is endless, but each are just as vital to their owner as the next. Why not take a look at the Vitl range of laboratory equipment and add that extra touch of power to your laboratory arsenal.

Take that bad guys!