THE INTERNET OF SAMPLES IN THE EARTH SCIENCES: GRADUATE STUDENTS INVESTED IN THE FUTURE OF PHYSICAL SAMPLES

Research groups within academic Earth Science departments amass large collections of physical samples as their faculty members conduct field campaigns over their careers, usually involving their students. Countless resources are invested in these samples from collection to analysis to interpretation to presentation of the data. In many cases it is the graduate students who collect, manage, and document samples, often with limited formal training. Once students complete their degrees, PI’s are left to manage the samples based on the records kept by students, frequently without funding or institutional support, leaving many samples poorly curated and undiscoverable for potential re-use in new science projects. When PIs retire, many of these samples are discarded due to incomplete records, institutional space limitations, and lack of options for archiving outside the institution. In order to reduce the number of samples ‘doomed for the dumpster’, it is essential to establish best practices for digital and physical sample curation in the academic environment, including sample identification and documentation, and train graduate students in applying these.

The Internet of Samples in Earth Sciences (iSamples) Research Coordination Network is an initiative funded by the NSF as part of the EarthCube program to improve the discovery, sharing, and curation of physical sample collections by better integrating them into cyberinfrastructure from their inception. This requires establishing and promoting best practices and standards in sample identification, documentation, citation, curation, and sharing across the Earth Sciences for the full lifecycle of a sample. Recognizing the importance of early career scientists as sample collectors, and future mentors, iSamples strives to engage this group in developing and implementing best practices, as well as acting as ambassadors for future scientists.

This presentation discusses the merits and challenges of sample management from the graduate student perspective. Although improved sample and data documentation will result in increased productivity and reduce loss of valuable resources both immediately and in the future, graduate students may face challenges when trying to implement new practices, where existing practices have long been in place.