14 Unique Microbiology Gifts (for 2024)

7 min read

Last updated: September 8th, 2024

The internet is not exactly overflowing with microbiology-specific gifts, but we've scoured several sources to find the most popular and high-quality gifts for microbiologists that will definitely win a smile.

Whether it’s a graduation gift for a student, birthday present or Christmas gift, I hope this gift guide helps you finish your shopping faster than ever. Show them you understand their passion for microbiology and relish the moment when they geek out over your perfect gift.

This list is a compilation of our favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!

1. Microbiology Word Magnets

Science-themed gifts are rarely as entertaining and enduring as our science-themed word magnet sets! We recently launched these to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices. Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.

The Microbiology word magnet set was designed by Dr. Susanna L Harris, who chose words to make it both science-y and humorous. These are an exceptionally good gift because the recipient will see them daily and use them often! Pair these with the Biology set to make it complete!

Also now available on Amazon.

2. DNA-themed Watercolor Prints

The microbiologists I know are DNA and RNA nerds in the truest sense! They were quick to explain how microbiology RNA research enabled the COVID vaccine and all of the wonderful technologies it will unlock in the coming years. Celebrate our newfound understanding of genetics and brighten up your desk space with these DNA-themed watercolor artwork prints. A little decor goes a long way in a boring office!

Check current price on Amazon

3. GIANT Microbes plush toys

This next one may seem like a young child's toy, but we've seen many PhD's in microbiology purchase and love these to death. This amazing company makes a full line of plush microbes the size of a small stuffed animal! This set is blood-cell themed, but they make other sets like "COVID-19 Backpack", "Flu Vaccine Keychain" and "COVID Earrings".

Check prices on Amazon

4. Pipette Ninja Sticker

Microbiologists use pipettes daily with deft efficiency. Some might even say they are a "pipette ninja". This is a fun microbiology sticker for a laptop, thermos or notebook to officially award them this honorable title. Grab it for only $4.50 in our store!

5. Lab Coat Pocket Protector

From organizing their precision tools to adding a touch of style to their lab coats, this accessory will be appreciated and put to good use by any biologist. The venerable Pocket Protector became a cultural icon in the 1960's and 1970's, but somewhere along the way the newer generation of STEM researchers forgot about them.

Microbiologists need these back in their labs to stay organized, stay efficient, protect their work clothes, and finish their experiments without being late to lunch. So we researched and tested every type ever made to methodically solve each problem and come up with this refreshed design.

Available in spruce green, sapphire blue, and faded pink - the top 3 colors voted on by our fans! You can even get it from our Amazon page if that's easier.

pocket protector gift for microbiologists working in laboratories STEM

Check the price on Amazon.

6. Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game

Created with the stamp of approval of the Journal of Cell Science, the world finally has a board game about cell biology! The gameplay is similar to other fun and popular board games, using the "worker placement" style, but all of the content is meant to satisfy your love for cell biology! Rated for ages 10+ and is definitely enjoyable by any university student or professional. Also a great way to help you get younger students interested in microbiology!

Check current price on Amazon

7. Cellfies: A Cell Biology Coloring Book

For anyone with a love of microbiology and an artistic side, try this microbiology-focused coloring book. This fun book takes you through several kinds of cells (eye cells, brain cells, cancer cells and epithelia), explains some of the technical background and gives you a chance to color in each different part of the cells! Definitely a fun gift for a budding young microbiologist or even a professional one who needs a little break from work.

Check current price on Amazon

8. "I Contain Multitudes" - Book about microbes in our world

This instant classic was recommended by a microbiologist friend. "I Contain Multitudes" was written by an award-winning science writer for The Atlantic! Although a single microbiologist's research may focus on one sub-field, a book like this lets them nerd out on advances their colleagues are making that they may not normally come across. It's a great way to embrace their passion for microbes with a small step outside their own bubble to learn how other important other microbes are to our life, our death, and our planet. This makes for an excellent coffee table science book once they finish!

Check current price on Amazon

9."Micro Life" - An illustrated book of microscopic life

OK, I said the book above was great for a coffee table, but actually "Micro Life: Miracles of the Miniature Wolrd Revealed" should sit on top of that one. That's because I own an older version that sits on my coffee table! My microscopy training made me love looking at the invisible world under our noses and this book has GORGEOUS, full-color, full-page images of the tiniest organisms at scales you've never seen. It's also a unique way to get kids or young students interested in microbiology and microscopy.

Check current price on Amazon

10. Life at the Edge of Sight: A Photographic Exploration of the Microbial World

Because microbiologists have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a book makes a fantastic present. Life at the Edge of Sight is a visual tour of the microbial world that combines art and science. The authors not only impart a wealth of information, particularly about recent microbiological discoveries, but they also obviously appreciate the beauty of the world and microbiological life. Every page is chock-full of new information as well as stunning photography.

Check current price on Amazon.

11. Science-themed enamel pin set for decorating lab coats

Science-themed enamel pins are a favorite of many of my fellow scientists for decorating their lab coats! Put that lapel collar to good use or use these as small gifts to lab mates and interns when they hit a major milestone. The DNA, microscope, beakers, and molecule pins here will especially be loved by microbiology nerds as a way to add color and flair to their otherwise plain white lab coat.

Check current price on Amazon.

12. Subscription to AI-powered Research and Writing Software (SciSpace)

Microbiologists have to keep track of a huge amount of information to complete their research and write new papers. Luckily, AI is now ready to help! SciSpace is a new software tool that combines AI search engines with reference/bibliography management to quickly get answers to highly technical questions - all sourced from peer-reviewed journals.

The Copilot feature is my favorite! It can scan those clunky PDF files to make summaries and even pull tables out into an editable format! That would have saved me hundreds of hours in grad school...The other neat thing is that it lets you take notes on every journal article, link it to that file, and search your notes later with the AI engine.

The best move here is to gift them a 1-year subscription! Make sure to use my ambassador code “DEREK40” to save 40% on the first year. Just create an account here with your email, and then print out the login details to put into a gift box for the big day! They can move the account to their email address right after.

SciSpace Subscription

13. New 100% Cotton Lab Coats designed by scientists

Most microbiologists I know wear lab coats daily. And most of them hate their lab coats. That's why we spent 3 years designing and modifying a lab coat that microbiologists love! Released in 2024, the Louis and Curie lab coats are consistently reviewed as "the best lab coat I've ever had".

For microbiology labs, the tapered knit cuffs are especially important for protecting wrists from chemicals and prevent skin and hairs from contaminating Petri dishes! They also avoid the problem of the clunky oversized cuffs knocking over glassware. The two versions are tailored to fit male and female builds differently, with a wide size range and adjustable belt so microbiologists can finally feel great in their lab coat at work.

14. Microbiology Gift Bundle

If you can't decide by now, I can still help! Consider this decision made. I put together a Microbiology Gift Bundle just to make it easy for you. It includes the Pocket tool and Word Magnets from above, plus a few fun science stickers. You'll save over 20% by bundling them together, so consider this decision made!

You can also add a custom logo to the pocket tool for events, networking, or promotional giveaways! Custom orders start at 100 pieces - just email us for more info.