The University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMass Core Facilities COVID-19 Related Operational Status

Page last updated 6/30/21

MA STATE STATUS: All remaining COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and rescinded most COVID-19 Orders effective May 29, 2021. As well as the State of Emergency Termination: June 15, 2021.
UMASS AMHERST STATUS: The current status on campus is "Guarded." Please engage the Core Director before going to a Core Facility.


(Please go to the individual Core’s website for additional information on facility conditions and modified operations.)

The operational status of the UMass Centralized Core Facilities will be changing as more information develops, check back often.

If you are having trouble engaging with a core, or have any concerns regarding the UMass Core Facilities, contact Andrew Vinard, Core Facilities Director at avinard@umass.edu

Core Facility

Data Analysis/
Expert Advice

Sample Analysis/
Preparation

Equipment
Access

Core Staff

Core Level

New
Users
Allowed?

Phase Plan
Updated

Advanced Digital Design and Fabrication (ADDFab)Minimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite2Yes5/20/21
Animal ImagingMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
Minimally
impacted
Limited onsite3Yes5/20/21
Animal ModelsMinimally impactedMinimally impactedNot applicableLimited onsite3Yes2/9/21
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)Minimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite2Yes2/12/21
Biophysical CharacterizationMinimally impactedMinimally impactedPartialLimited onsite3No3/19/21
Bioproduction & SeparationPartialPartialPartialLimited onsite2No3/19/21
Cell CultureMinimally impactedMinimally impactedMinimally impactedLimited onsite3Yes2/25/21
Center for Human Health and Performance (CH2P)Minimally impactedMinimally impactedMinimally impactedLimited onsite, appointment only.3Case Dependent2/11/21
Computational ModelingMinimally impactedNot applicableNot applicableOperating remotely3Yes2/13/21
Device CharacterizationMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite.2Yes5/20/21
Device Fabrication (Cleanroom)Minimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite1Yes2/9/21
Electron MicroscopyMinimally
impacted
Minimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite3Yes2/9/21
Electronic MaterialsMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite3Yes1/11/21
Flow CytometryMinimally
impacted
Minimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite. Activity limited by occupancy.3Yes5/20/21
Genomics Resource LaboratoryMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
Minimally impactedLimited onsite. Activity limited by occupancy.4Yes2/9/21
High Frequency Sensor Development LaboratoryMinimally impactedPartialPartialLimited onsite.3 2/9/21
Human Magnetic Resonance CenterMinimally impactedPartialPartialLimited onsite
by appointment
only.
3No3/2/21
Light MicroscopyMinimally impactedPartialPartialLimited onsite.2Yes5/12/21
Mass SpectrometryMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
Minimally impactedOnsite4Yes5/20/21
Mobile Health Sensing and Analytics Laboratory (mHealthLab)Minimally impactedNot applicableDisallowedOperating remotely0 2/11/21
Nanofabrication CleanroomMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite3Yes2/9/21
NMR-Chemistry MaterialsMinimally impactedMinimally impactedPartialLimited onsite3Yes1/11/21
NMR-BioMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
Minimally impactedOnsite3No2/10/21
Nutriceutical FormulationPartialDisallowedDisallowedOperating remotely2 1/15/21
Raman, IR, and XRF SpectroscopyMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
Minimally impactedOnsite3Yes1/14/21
Roll-to-Roll Fabrication and Processing FacilityPartialPartialMinimally
impacted
Limited onsite1Yes2/10/21
Sensor IntegrationMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
Minimally
impacted
Limited onsite3Yes2/9/21
Sleep Monitoring LabMinimally impactedPartialPartialLimited onsite1Yes3/23/21
X-Ray Scattering FacilityMinimally impactedMinimally
impacted
PartialLimited onsite1No2/12/21

 

Minimally impacted
Partial=Some services and/or productivity impacted
Disallowed=Services cancelled or disallowed
Not applicable

Core Facility Operational Levels
Level 0: Shut down
Level 1: Some activity
Level 2: Some more activity
Level 3: Even more activity
Level 4: Fully open

Core activities fall into categories that are differentially impacted by physical distancing requirements –

  1. Services surrounding electronic data and/or expert advice. These activities allow for maximal curtailment of on-campus staff and will continue as telework as much as possible.
  2. Services involving analysis or preparation of samples and/or subjects. These activities require core staff adhere to institutionally imposed physical distancing policies during sample receipt, subject interactions, wet lab activities, and/or instrument operation.
  3. Services requiring user access to equipment. Core staff access is prioritized over user access. Unsupervised user access must comply with institutionally imposed physical distancing policies and is offered at a core director’s discretion.

Most cores’ service portfolios include activities in all categories. Modified operations imposed upon restart of research will impact core service activities to some degree as captured above. While cores strive to offer as complete a service portfolio as possible, researchers should expect curtailment of certain services. The situation will be fluid and researchers are asked to pay close attention to notifications by core directors, core websites, and FOM.

(Please check the individual Core’s website for additional information on facility conditions and modified operations)

The operational status of the UMass Centralized Core Facilities will be changing as more information develops, check back often.

If you are having trouble engaging with a core, or have any concerns regarding the UMass Core Facilities, contact Andrew Vinard, Core Facilities Director at avinard@umass.edu

UMass Amherst COVID-19 Resources

The University continues to provide the latest communications and a comprehensive set of resources on its official website.
UMass Amherst Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19

The Office for Research and Engagement's website as they have resources specific to research activities. http://www.umass.edu/research/covid-19-resources-guidance

EH&S provides COVID-19 information specifically for labs.  https://ehs.umass.edu/covid-19-information-labs

ABRF COVID-19 Resources

The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) members are sharing resources that maybe helpful during these unprecedented times. https://abrf.org/covid-19