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Analysis. Answers. Action.

Welcome to APHL

The Association of Public Health Laboratories proudly works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public's health; our activities support laboratories in the US and around the world. Learn more about APHL.
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Lab Culture News

Read our most recent reporting from Lab Culture News for timely insight on the impact of public health laboratory science and culture:

Lab Culture News article
05.26.26
The Impact of a Pilot Wastewater-Based Surveillance Project in Africa—and Thoughts About Its Future
Six African countries recently completed a years-long pilot wastewater-based surveillance project. The project’s aim was to assess how well WWBS can monitor disease outbreaks and guide public health decision-making.
Global Health, Disease Surveillance
Lab Culture News article
05.20.26
Creating More Modern Laboratory Systems in Uganda
In an effort to modernize laboratory systems and procedures within the country, Uganda launched its Sample Tracking App, an enhanced laboratory data repository (LDR) and a central dashboard in February.
Informatics, Global Health, Laboratory Operations and Systems
Lab Culture News article
05.19.26
Andes Virus Makes Its Way to US: What We Know—and How Public Health Laboratories Are Responding
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with other international agencies, is responding to a multi-nation cluster of the Andes virus linked to travel on the cruise ship MV Hondius.
Infectious Diseases, Public Health Preparedness and Response, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Viruses
Lab Culture News article
05.15.26
Expanding Sequencing Training Across the Americas (Disponible en Español)
Honduran laboratory scientists, in partnership with APHL and with funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Global Health Security Partnerships, held a sequencing training in Panama for Central and South American countries.
Global Health, Training and Professional Development, Workforce Development
Lab Culture News article
05.15.26
APHL Trainers Hold Workshop on Data Actionability in Chile (Disponible en Español)
Collecting data is one thing. But how do you actually put it to good use? That’s the question posed by APHL trainers at a recent workshop to members of the Instituto de Salud Publica (ISP) in Santiago, Chile.
Global Health, Training and Professional Development, Workforce Development
Lab Culture News article
05.07.26
Lab Culture ep. 36: "And who knew that today I stand here with my colleagues as the incoming president for APHL."
General, Podcast, Quality and Safety Systems
Lab Culture News article
05.06.26
2026 APHL Annual Conference: Day 3
Today was the final full day of the conference and it was an award winning day loaded with spirit—literally!
General
Lab Culture News article
05.05.26
2026 APHL Annual Conference: Day 2
The second day of the 2026 APHL Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD was another eventful day! From the student STEM event to a candid plenary with the family of Henrietta Lacks, day two did not disappoint.
General, Outreach
Lab Culture News article
05.05.26
The Rules of Public Health Action Are Changing. How to Adapt and Win Back Public Trust
The rules that once guided public health action—from leaning into the science to putting stock in responsible, unbiased news sources—are changing, said Joshua Sharfstein, MD, who delivered the keynote address at the 2026 APHL Annual Conference.
General, Training and Professional Development, Career Development, Workforce Development
Lab Culture News article
05.05.26
2026 APHL Annual Conference: Day 1
The 2026 APHL Annual Conference kicked off in Baltimore, MD! Check out these highlights.
General
Lab Culture News article
04.23.26
Lab Scientists Under the Microscope: Meet Crystal Barrett
In celebration of Lab Week 2026, we’re putting names and faces to some of the thousands of public health laboratory professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes protecting America’s health.
General, APHL, Quality Systems and Analytics, Laboratory Operations and Systems
Lab Culture News article
04.22.26
Lab Scientists Under the Microscope: Meet Nydea Espinoza
In celebration of Lab Week 2026, we’re putting names and faces to some of the thousands of public health laboratory professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes protecting America’s health.
General, APHL, Environmental Health, Workforce Development
Lab Culture News article
04.20.26
Lab Scientists Under the Microscope: Meet Elizabeth White
In celebration of Lab Week 2026, we’re putting names and faces to some of the thousands of public health laboratory professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes protecting America’s health.
General, APHL, Informatics, Workforce Development
Lab Culture News article
04.15.26
Lab Scientists Under the Microscope: Meet Miriam Schachter
In celebration of Lab Week 2026, we’re putting names and faces to some of the thousands of public health laboratory professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes protecting America’s health.
General, APHL, Newborn Screening and Genetics, Workforce Development
Lab Culture News article
04.07.26
Public Health Laboratory Work May Be Invisible—but It’s Also Indispensable: Perspective From a Public Health Laboratory Professional
Some of the most important returns in public health are written in the things that never got worse. It is important to communicate that to the public.
General, Advocacy
Lab Culture News article
03.30.26
How One State’s Public Health Laboratory Is Using Biomonitoring to Protect Kids
Due to their small stature, developing systems and normal play behaviors, young children are particularly vulnerable to the health hazards caused by the heavy metals and toxic chemicals found in some consumer products and the environment.
Environmental Health, Environmental Exposures, Environmental Monitoring
Lab Culture News article
03.24.26
World Tuberculosis Day Is March 24: 6 Questions for a 20-Year Veteran of TB Testing
In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, we sat down with Kimberlee Musser, PhD, chief of bacterial disease, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health (NYDOH), and asked her six questions about tackling this ancient disease in a modern world.
Infectious Diseases, Tuberculosis
Lab Culture News article
03.19.26
How Public Health Laboratories and Federal Partners Uncovered a Multistate Outbreak of Dangerous Salmonella Infections
Between November 2025 and January 2026, seven people in seven states (as of this writing) became ill with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport. All the illnesses were traced to certain lots of Rosabella-brand moringa powder.
Food Safety, General, Food Testing, Foodborne Disease, Genomics and Sequencing, Antimicrobial Resistance
Lab Culture News article
03.17.26
In 2023, a Growing—and Deadly—Outbreak of Listeria Was Reported in Washington State. How PulseNet Helped Lead Investigators to the Cause
In the first few months of 2023, six people in Washington State were sickened with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono), which can be found in food, water, soil and animals. Three people ultimately died from infection with the bacteria,
Food Safety, General, Food Testing, Foodborne Disease, Genomics and Sequencing
Lab Culture News article
03.02.26
This Year’s Flu Season Has Largely Been Driven by a New Subclade. How Public Health Laboratories Have Responded
What’s behind this active flu season? Experts point to the emergence of a new variant of influenza A(H3N2) known as subclade K.
Infectious Diseases, General, Viruses, Respiratory Diseases
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Providing Analysis:

Lab Matters Magazine

Read the latest articles from APHL's quarterly magazine and flagship publication, Lab Matters. Find both technical and non-technical articles covering topics across public health laboratory science, administration, careers and management:
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
The Intersection of Public Health and One Health
One Health is a concept with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes for humans, animals, plants and the environment. From a public health perspective, One Health infuses the majority, if not all, of what laboratories do.
Quality Systems and Analytics, Advocacy, Laboratory Operations and Systems, Career Development, Workforce Development, Quality and Safety Systems
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
The NGS Quality Initiative Peer Network: Improving Sequencing Quality through Information Sharing and Collaboration
The APHL-CDC NGS Quality Initiative Peer Network was established to improve next generation sequencing (NGS) quality management activities and to promote greater collaboration and expansion of sequencing capabilities in public health laboratories.
APHL, Quality and Safety Systems, Mycology, Knowledge Management, Genomics and Sequencing
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Training Yields Readiness: Lessons Learned from a North Dakota Radiation Response
As a member of the LRN-C, the North Dakota Public Health Laboratory has a strong operational foundation for emergency response. Its relationships with its public health partners proved invaluable during a recent radiation exposure incident.
Public Health Preparedness and Response, Biosafety and Biosecurity, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Laboratory Operations and Systems
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
National Institute of Health Launches Biosafety Modernization Initiative
In September 2025, the NIH launched the Biosafety Modernization Initiative, an effort to modernize biosafety policies and practices. APHL Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee members share perspectives on how the initiative affects public health labs.
General, Biosafety and Biosecurity, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Quality, Safety, Traceability: Protecting the Food Supply for US Consumers
Public health laboratories play an increasingly critical role in protecting food safety through testing innovations and collaborations that can help detect foodborne threats to US consumers and stop outbreaks before they start.
Policy, Food Testing, Policies and Regulations
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Equity, Accuracy and Stewardship: Rethinking Vaginitis Diagnosis for Women Everywhere
Vaginitis remains a leading cause of gynecologic-related primary care visits in the United States, yet the approach to diagnosis and treatment continues to present significant challenges for clinicians and public health professionals.
General, Antimicrobial Resistance
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
When Systems Fail: Building Resilient Laboratory Informatics Through Comprehensive COOP Planning
As public health laboratories become increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, comprehensive COOP planning has evolved from a recommended practice to an essential requirement for maintaining critical public health services when systems fail.
Public Health Preparedness and Response, Quality and Safety Systems, Laboratory Operations and Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Data Management
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Beyond the Smoke: Emergency Coordination and Environmental Testing Response to the 2025 Los Angeles Fires
During the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles in January 2025, the role of interagency environmental testing was paramount. Coordinated measurements demonstrated an optimized model for public health laboratory response.
Public Health Preparedness and Response, Environmental Exposures, Environmental Monitoring
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Vermont Laboratory Discovers What a Difference a Fellow Can Make
The Vermont Department of Health Public Health Laboratory hosted its first Career Pathways in Public Health Laboratory Science fellow and things went better than they could have hoped.
APHL, Fellowships, Career Development
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Member Profile: Georgia Department of Agriculture Laboratory
The Georgia Department of Agriculture Laboratory, comprised of an Atlanta branch and a Tifton branch, houses eight unique laboratory sections ranging from food safety microbiology to fuel and oil that cover all 159 counties in the state.
General
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Member Profile: Maryland Department of Health Laboratories Administration
The Maryland Department of Health Laboratories Administration, the oldest continuous operating unit in the Maryland Department of Health, provides objective and unaffiliated information to medical professionals, public health partners and others.
General, APHL
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
APHL and FDA Partner on Cronobacter Detection Training
In September 2025, APHL partnered with FDA to deliver a first-of-its-kind, in-person laboratory training on detecting Cronobacter spp. in powdered infant formula.
Food Safety, Training, Food Testing, Foodborne Disease
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
CEO's Message: The Nature of Partnerships
A message from APHL CEO Scott Becker on the importance of laboratory partnerships.
General
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
From Training to Trust: How PulseNet International Is Strengthening Foodborne Disease Surveillance
PulseNet International plays a crucial role in strengthening global capacity for genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistant enteric pathogens through a robust program of training and collaboration activities.
Food Safety, Food Testing, Genomics and Sequencing, Chemistry, Antimicrobial Resistance
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
75 Years of Membership
Reflecting on changes in APHL's membership over its 75-year history.
General, APHL
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Public Health Laboratory Ambassadors Engage Students Across the Country in 2025
The APHL Public Health Laboratory Ambassadors Program has sought to connect public health laboratory professionals with students and local community members to share the value of public health laboratory careers.
General, APHL, Career Development, Outreach, Workforce Development
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Strengthening Foodborne Outbreak Response With CIFOR in Kentucky
APHL partnered with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and the Tennessee Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence to host a CIFOR Toolkit workshop designed to refine foodborne outbreak response across multiple KDPH program areas.
Training and Professional Development, Training, Workforce Development, Foodborne Disease
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
President's Message: Reflections on a Milestone
A message from APHL President Scott Shone on how far APHL has come in 75 years.
General
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Mapping a Path to Laboratory Surveillance in Bangladesh
In 2024, APHL began work with CDC and the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement a laboratory mapping initiative. The project focused on developing a mapping tool to obtain data on the national public health laboratory system.
APHL, Disease Surveillance, Laboratory Operations and Systems
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Why Public Health Emergency Preparedness Funding Matters for Public Health Laboratories
Public health laboratories are a foundational component of the nation’s public health emergency preparedness and response system. PHEP cooperative agreement funding plays a critical role in sustaining and strengthening their capacity.
Training and Professional Development, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Laboratory Operations and Systems
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Managing Sustainable Public Health Data Exchange at the National Level
The pandemic taught that rapid scale-up in response to emergencies is only sustainable when paired with a platform that can agilely connect public health systems and healthcare providers across the country. Enter the AIMS Platform.
APHL, Data Management, Knowledge Management, Laboratory Operations and Systems, Quality and Safety Systems
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
APHL Committee Instrumental in Enhancements to FDA Food Chemistry Data Review Protocols
APHL advisory committees being a powerful conduit for change was illustrated in 2025 through the Human and Animal Food Committee’s successful effort to streamline processes for state food chemistry data.
Policy, Data Management, Policies and Regulations
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Rapid Detection and Sequencing of Influenza A in Agricultural Samples: Lessons From Cambodia and Why It Matters for US Food Security
While zoonotic transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A virus to humans in the US has been limited, recent epidemiological trends in Cambodia underscore how quickly zoonotic risks can escalate.
APHL, Genomics and Sequencing, Foodborne Disease, Viruses
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
The Results Are In! Data Modernization at Public Health Laboratories Is a Work in Progress
APHL's Data Modernization Subcommittee launched in January 2025 and sought to understand where public health laboratories are in their data modernization journeys. A nationwide survey of informatics personnel revealed challenges and opportunities.
Quality Systems and Analytics, Quality and Safety Systems, Laboratory Operations and Systems, Knowledge Management, Data Management
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Providing Answers:

Recent Training Resources

APHL offers a range of training resources, such as live and recorded webinars, on-demand courses, and other educational materials, guides and tools. Find recently published materials below or select "View All" to explore all our offerings.

Training
03.13.26
Introduction to the LIMS and Other Information Systems
This course provides an overview of the LIMS and other information systems that play a key role in laboratory informatics. Topics include LIMS functionality, interoperability, regulations and standards, and LIMS implementation.
Informatics, Data Management
Training
03.13.26
Pertussis Diagnostics: What’s all the Whoop about?
We will explore the rising incidence of pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis and the multifaceted public health response required to address this trend.
Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Diseases
Training
03.12.26
Life of a Result
This eLearning course picks up where "Life of a Specime" leaves off and explores laboratory informatics by following a result as it moves through the laboratory and is communicated back to external partners.
Informatics, Data Management
Training
03.11.26
Introduction to Laboratory Informatics: Life of a Specimen
This course explores laboratory informatics by following a specimen as it moves through the laboratory and testing workflow. Topics include informatics personnel, data relationships, data quality and standards, and the generation and flow of information.
Informatics, Data Management
Training
03.11.26
APHL Webinar: Fundamentals of Biosafety and Biosecurity Slides
APHL presented fundamentals of biosafety and biosecurity at a January 2016 webinar. The slides from the presenters (Michael Pentella and Andrew Cannons).
Training and Professional Development, Workforce Development
Training
2025
Laboratory Ethics Course
Addresses the importance of maintaining ethical behavior on both an individual and organizational level. Covers ethical challenges faced by regulatory organizations, with an emphasis on regulatory laboratories.
Environmental Health, Environmental Exposures, Environmental Monitoring
Training
2025
Essentials for the Mycobacteriology Laboratory: Promoting Quality Practices
This series of free, interactive modules, developed by APHL in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, promotes competency, quality and safety in common mycobacteriology testing practices.
Infectious Diseases, Tuberculosis
Training
2025
Bacterial Meningitis and Beyond
Infectious Diseases, Bacteriology
Training
2025
Laboratory Surge Capacity Tabletop Exercise Guide
Use this guide to cutomize and lead a tabletop exercise focused on laboratory surge capacity, includes link to downloadable exercise.
Public Health Preparedness and Response
Training
2024
Redacción Científica: Conceptos Básicos - Capacitación en Línea​ (Scientific Writing-Spanish)
Este curso ofrece una visión general del proceso de redacción científica, la preparación de manuscritos y su revisión. El curso le guiará desde la determinación de cuándo y por qué preparar un manuscrito, hasta el proceso de revisión y envío.
General, Training and Professional Development, Infectious Diseases
Training
2024
HAI Module 2: Carbapenemase-producing Organisms Colonization Screening
Part of the "Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI): Colonization Screening for Healthcare Facilities" training series
Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance
Training
2024
Environmental Laboratory Ethics: Then and Now
This course explains how environmental laboratories have changed over the last 50 years and how they have stayed the same. Provides an overview of basic environmental lab ethics including violations, decision making, data integrity and more..
Environmental Health, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Exposures
Training
2024
Syphilis Diagnostics: RPR Manual Test Method
This module provides an overview of the intended use of RPR, testing procedures, interpretation, reporting and additional testing considerations.
Infectious Diseases, STIs
Training
2024
HAI Module 3: Candida auris Colonization Screening
Part of the "Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI): Colonization Screening for Healthcare Facilities" training series
Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance
Training
2024
Scientific Writing: The Basics - Online Course (English)
This course covers an overview of the scientific writing process, manuscript preparation, and manuscript revision. The course will guide you from determining when and why to prepare a manuscript, through to the revision and submission process.
Infectious Diseases, General, Training and Professional Development
Training
2024
HAI Module 4: Packaging and Shipping for Colonization Screening​
Part of the "Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI): Colonization Screening for Healthcare Facilities" training series
Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance
Training
2024
HAI Module 1: Overview and Importance of Screening for Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDROs)
Part of the "Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI): Colonization Screening for Healthcare Facilities" training series
Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance
Training
2024
Ethical Vigilance: Lessons for Environmental Laboratories and Beyond
An ethics training that can inform decision making in the laboratory and life. The training provides an overview of ethics topics specific to environmental laboratories and the broader, philosophical aspects of ethics that can inform decision-making.
Environmental Health, Environmental Exposures, Environmental Monitoring
Training
2024
Rédaction Scientifique: Les Fondamentaux​ - Formation en Ligne​ (Scientific Writing-French)
Ce cours offre une vue d'ensemble du processus de rédaction scientifique, de la préparation du manuscrit et de sa révision.
General, Training and Professional Development, Infectious Diseases
Training
2024
Biosecurity Exercises Toolkit for Public Health and Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories
Laboratories can use this toolkit to enhance biosecurity measurers within their facilities, strengthen existing biosecurity protocols or establish new ones. Includes biosecurity exercise examples and evaluation forms.
Public Health Preparedness and Response
Training
2023
COOP Tabletop Exercises for Public Health Laboratories
This evaluation report describes the data gathered during a 2021 collaboration between APHL and the RAND Corporation to develop and conduct tabletop exercises to help public health laboratories evaluate their continuity of operations planning.
Public Health Preparedness and Response, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Training
2023
Understanding TB Laboratory Testing for Public Health Nurses
This module will help participants including public health nurses and TB care and prevention team members improve their understanding of fundamental TB laboratory testing workflows, testing methods, and associated results.
Infectious Diseases, Tuberculosis
Training
2023
COOP Tabletop Exercise for PHLs PowerPoint
This is a PowerPoint template of tabletop exercises for public health laboratories to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their continuity of operations planning and provide feedback for improvements.
Public Health Preparedness and Response, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Training
2021
Working Together to Improve Citizen Science Data Quality: A Webinar for Government Agencies
This webinar highlights successful state/federal agency-citizen science group collaboration and quality assurance resources to support these efforts.​
Environmental Health, Environmental Monitoring
Training
2021
Make Your Citizen Science Project Count: Strategies to Produce Quality Data​ (Webinar)​
This webinar explores how citizen science groups have successfully integrated quality assurance approaches into their projects to help answer their community’s environmental and public health questions.
Environmental Health, Environmental Monitoring
Training
2020
Maintaining Data with Integrity Course
Defines integrity and the importance of data integrity in environmental and public health laboratories. Outlines the necessary elements to ensure data integrity from the first sample collected to reporting results.
Environmental Health, Environmental Exposures, Environmental Monitoring, Data Management
Training
2020
Manipulation des Spécimens Module 3: Comprendre la gestion des données de laboratoire
Part of the "Clinical Specimen Handling and Tracking" training series (Francais)
Infectious Diseases, Specimen Handling, Data Management
Training
2020
MicrobeNet Training
Learn to identify pathogens using MicrobeNet with this ondemand training course.
Infectious Diseases
Training
2020
Specimen Handling Module 2: Proper Clinical Specimen Receiving and Accessioning
Part of the "Clinical Specimen Handling and Tracking" training series (English)
Infectious Diseases, Specimen Handling
Training
2020
Specimen Handling Module 1: Proper Specimen Labeling and Packaging for Clinical Diagnosis
Part of the "Clinical Specimen Handling and Tracking" training series (English)
Infectious Diseases, Specimen Handling
Training
2020
Specimen Handling Module 3: Understanding Laboratory Data Management
Part of the "Clinical Specimen Handling and Tracking" training series (English)
Infectious Diseases, Specimen Handling, Data Management
Training
2020
Manipulation des Spécimens Module 1: Étiquetage et emballage appropriés des échantillons pour le diagnostic clinique
Part of the "Clinical Specimen Handling and Tracking" training series (Francais)
Infectious Diseases, Specimen Handling
Training
2020
Manipulation des Spécimens Module 2: Réception et enregistrement appropriés des échantillons cliniques
Part of the "Clinical Specimen Handling and Tracking" training series (Francais)
Infectious Diseases, Specimen Handling, Data Management
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Join Us

Upcoming Events

APHL sponsors major conferences on newborn screening, infectious diseases, food safety and more, as well as smaller meetings and webinars.

View our Event Calendar

Sep
01
2026
LRN-B Technical Meeting
San Antonio, TX
The Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats (LRN-B) Technical Meeting is a combination of science, policy, networking and partnerships with a focus on innovation, technologies and strengthening relationships within the network.
infant foot with bandage from newborn screening heel prick
Oct
11
2026
APHL 2026 Newborn Screening Symposium
New Orleans, LA
The Newborn Screening Symposium addresses state, national and international newborn screening, genetic testing and policy issues important to public health newborn screening systems.
Scientist pouring liquid from bottle to beaker
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