You’ve probably heard about the outdoor air quality alerts in Iowa over the last few weeks, but do you know how the data that drives the alerts is collected? The University of Iowa State Hygienic Lab (SHL) operates a network of monitors around the state to understand the potential impact that the ambient air quality could have on the citizens of Iowa. Through a contract with the Iowa Department of...

March 8 will mark one year since the State Hygienic Laboratory detected the first case of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and the lab has processed more than one million samples since that fateful day. As vaccines for COVID-19 work their way across the country, SHL isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s continuing to work around the clock to improve testing and expanding the tools available...

Test Iowa reached a milestone today: 100,000 tests have been conducted, all by the State Hygienic Lab (SHL) at the University of Iowa, since the program began on April 25. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a statement to announce the test numbers. “In the face of a global pandemic, we had to be bold, ambitious, and move quickly to launch a comprehensive initiative to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa...

The Iowa Board of Regents and the University of Iowa recognized the professional achievements of Cori Peek-Asa, Wendy Beaver, and Julie Cunningham. “I am proud to work alongside these professionals, and even prouder of their tremendous contributions to sustaining and expanding the research enterprise at the University of Iowa,” said Marty Scholtz, vice president for research. “Cori, Wendy, and...

Connie Henderson, laboratory manager at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, will serve as the ambassador to the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) in 2019 and 2020. Eleven years ago, the SHL launched the ambassador program. The annual initiative seeks to raise awareness about lab-related issues and strengthen partnerships with people and organizations that share SHL’s commitment to improving public...

Eight employees of the State Hygienic Lab (SHL) will be recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their collaborative work with state and federal agencies to protect public health in a 2018 incident involving frozen vegetable products manufactured under unsanitary conditions. The SHL awardees are Nancy Hall, Julie Wilson, Lucas Latimer, Rebecca Teske, Greg Gingerich, Cathy Lord...

A new project led by the State Hygienic Lab will analyze the presence of environmental hazards in well water and households across the state. The award, which includes $728,016 in funding for the first year of the project, is one of six projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for statewide biomonitoring programs. Biomonitoring is the direct measurement of environmental chemicals...

Michael Pentella, interim director of the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) since December, will become permanent director on June 1. Pentella is a clinical professor of epidemiology in the University of Iowa College of Public Health and former associate director in the SHL. He takes over the position from Chris Atchison, who retired Jan. 5. Previously, he was director of the William A. Hinton State...

Christopher Atchison, Director of the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) at the University of Iowa, has announced plans to retire June 30 after serving the state of Iowa and the University of Iowa in that role for a decade. Atchison also will retire at the same time from his positions as College of Public Health Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Clinical Professor in Health Management and...

The University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development is cosponsoring the Eastern Iowa Biotech Spotlight Tour, which showcases the pharmaceutical, chemical, nutraceutical industries that make up Iowa’s Creative Corridor biotech companies. The event, which runs Oct. 4-5, is free and open to the public though registration is required. Click here to register for...

Since 1904 the State Hygienic Laboratory has operated as Iowa’s public health laboratory, helping Iowans in all 99 counties by testing and screening for infectious diseases and environmental contaminants.