Genius Lab Gear Press and Media Coverage

Genius Lab Gear and the Lab Coat Project have been covered by science media, broadcast outlets, and trade publications since 2019. The coverage spans lab coat design, PPE safety, women in STEM, and the maternity lab coat gap. A full archive of press features, podcast appearances, and company milestones is below. 

Press and Media Features

Women in STEM: Career and Confidence Podcast, hosted by Dr. Hannah Roberts (November 2025)

Derek spoke about the research behind the Alma maternity lab coat and the serious safety issues pregnant scientists face in the lab, drawn from over 170 survey responses from women in STEM. Listen here

Chemistry World (November 2025)

Dr. Derek Miller and the Alma maternity lab coat were featured in the article "Maternity lab coat aims to close a gap in PPE market and end unsafe practices." The piece covers how Genius Lab Gear worked with more than 170 pregnant scientists to design the only lab coat built specifically for pregnancy, addressing a long-standing safety gap in PPE for women in STEM. Read the article

The American Ceramic Society, Ceramic Tech Today (October 2025)

Featured the Alma maternity lab coat in "A 'fitting' tribute to good science: Former PCSA chair creates first maternity lab coat," highlighting how decades of improvised or tailored solutions for pregnant researchers finally have a purpose-built alternative. Read the article

Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN) (April 2025)

Featured in "Ill-fitting lab coats raise safety and inclusivity concerns," covering the Lab Coat Project's research and the development of the Alma maternity lab coat. The article highlights how poor fit in standard lab coats has created real safety and inclusivity problems across research environments. Read the article

Microbiology Society, Microbe Talk Podcast (March 2023)

Derek spoke with host Clare Baker about what over 1,000 scientists told us about lab coats, how that data shaped the Lab Coat Project's design decisions, and how seemingly small details in PPE can quietly reinforce discrimination in science. Listen here

The Microbigals, Microbe Moment Podcast (March 2023)

Derek discussed how feedback from more than 1,400 scientists shaped the Lab Coat Project, and why designing for comfort, function, and fit across all body types matters for keeping people in science. Listen here

CBC Radio, Quirks and Quarks (December 2022)

Derek spoke with the long-running CBC science show about the surprisingly outdated design of the lab coat and what Genius Lab Gear is doing to fix it, drawing on data from over 1,000 scientists. Listen here (starts at 17:00)

BBC World Service, Science in Action (November 2022)

Derek spoke with host Roland Pease about the challenges of lab coat design and the data-driven approach Genius Lab Gear is taking to fix fit, function, and safety for a wide range of body types. Listen here (starts at 23:40)

Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN) (November 2022)

Featured the early roots of the Lab Coat Project in "Fashionable scientists and the science of sustainable fashion," tracing how one ill-fitting hand-me-down lab coat sparked a mission to redesign it from the ground up. The article captures Genius Lab Gear's crowdsourced approach and why better lab coat design is about more than pockets and fit. Read the article 

The Telegraph UK (November 2022) 

Covered the Lab Coat Project survey findings, including that 96% of women surveyed said standard lab coat fit was wrong for their body, and what Genius Lab Gear is designing to address it. Read the article

Chemistry World (November 2022)

Featured the Lab Coat Project survey results under the headline "9 out of 10 scientists hate their lab coat," covering what chemists and life scientists told us about bad fit, missing pockets, and sleeves that knock over glassware. Read the article

Science Pawdcast with Jason Zackowski (October 2022)

Derek discussed the origin of the Pocket Scientist tools and the Lab Coat Project, covering how both products started with a real problem observed in the lab and a commitment to designing something better. Listen here (starts at 12:36)

The Chronicle Flask Chemistry Blog, reviewed by Dr. Kat Day (February 2020)

A full review and endorsement of The Pocket Chemist, calling it "a genuinely great idea" and recommending it for lessons, lectures, and everyday lab use. Read the review

"I have to say, I genuinely love the Pocket Chemist. What a great idea. It’s well-made and the perfect size to fit into your wallet, pocket or pencil case. It’s the perfect piece of kit to take to lessons or lectures (no sneaking it into exams, though!)."

Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN), Holiday Gift Guide (December 2019)

The Pocket Chemist was selected for C&EN's annual gift guide for chemists, an early endorsement that helped put Genius Lab Gear's pocket tools in front of professors and chemistry teachers nationwide. Read the article

The Leveraged PhD, Spotlight Series (February 2019) 

Founder Derek Miller was featured discussing the inspiration behind Genius Lab Gear and the early vision for building practical tools for scientists outside of academia. Read the feature

Company Milestones

Colossal Biosciences Artificial Egg Hatching (May 2026)

Colossal Biosciences hatched a chicken from an artificial egg for the first time in history, a step toward de-extincting the giant moa. Genius Lab Gear black lab coats were in the room where it happened. Watch the announcement video 

Toyota Television Commercials (October 2025) 

Genius Lab Gear lab coats appeared in two Toyota television commercials. One of our customers let us know her order was for a commercial shoot but could not share details at the time. We were thrilled to later learn our coats appeared in both spots. With increased visibility through mainstream media, we hope to continue changing perceptions of what a normal lab coat should look like: better fitting, more functional, and designed to truly protect the people wearing them. Commercial 1 | Commercial 2

Lab Coat Donation to West High School, Columbus, Ohio (May 2025)

A huge thank-you to all of the original donors that helped The Lab Coat Project hit our funding goal for the first manufacturing run! The 26 donors collectively donated 56 lab coats towards our goal of 600, and today we delivered these donated lab coats to a local disadvantaged high school that could not afford PPE for their chemistry and biology labs. 

West High School in Columbus, Ohio received 60 total lab coats which will be shared among several junior and senior level chemistry, biology, and anatomy classrooms. The donation was facilitated by Battelle and the Ohio STEM Learning Network. The founder, Derek, also spent about 30 minutes with each class explaining the design process in terms of how they could "invent" something with just an idea, survey data, and lots of testing. Future unsellable lab coats will also be donated to West High School until their teaching lab needs are met. 

Press Inquiries:

For interview requests or media assets, contact:
info@geniuslabgear.com
919-307-6602