In accordance with the University’s policy on research activity  the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering (CESE) will begin to ramp-up all laboratory activities, with a tentative start date of 5/26/2020.  This date may change because CESE must have an approved safety plan in place prior to return of any staff members to our laboratory facilities.  Once approved, CESE will have modest staffing on site, but no administrative staff members or students will be in the building.

Based on the State’s guidance, UConn policies to ensure health and safety, and staffing limitations, a number of changes will be initiated to regulate CESE operations in general, especially as they apply to sample acceptance and processing in particular.

• For sample drop-off, customers must schedule an appointment, at least 2 hours in advance of delivery. To do so, call the main number (860-486-4015) at CESE or email christopher.perkins@uconn.edu to schedule an appointment.
• An electronic chain of custody must be submitted prior to delivery.  You must email, prior to arrival, a completed chain of custody to christopher.perkins@uconn.edu .
• Although the main entrance to CESE will be locked, we will be waiting for you to receive samples at your drop-off appointment time.
• Importantly, masks are required to be worn of all staff members and clients when in the building. Please make sure to bring one with you and wear it during sample delivery.

Because many of our staff members and management personnel will be working remotely, we will be available to schedule a teleconference or WebEx meeting to answer questions on existing projects or to plan future research.

In case of any laboratory-specific questions, please contact the appropriate lab manager:

• Organics Division Anthony Provatas – anthony.provatas@uconn.edu
• Nutrients Division Stephanie Kexel – stephanie.kexel@uconn.edu
• Metals Division Sniega Stapcinskaite – sneiguole.stapcinskaite@uconn.edu
• Emerging Contaminants Division Christopher Perkins – christopher.perkins@uconn.edu

For all other questions, including those related to current or future projects and experiments please feel free to reach out to Christopher Perkins – christopher.perkins@uconn.edu