Born of bedrock. Driven by data. Forged in CHAOS.
The Washburn CHAOS Lab — Center for geoHealth and Applied Omics Studies
Mapping Kentucky’s microbial wilds. Bioprospecting extremophiles. Shredding the mold.
Welcome to The Washburn CHAOS Lab
Based out of the Kentucky Geological Survey, we’re not your typical research lab.
Founded by Dr. Rachel Washburn—a combat intelligence veteran turned health geologist—the CHAOS Lab blends biomedicine, geochemistry, and fearless fieldwork to uncover the hidden ecosystems shaping life in Kentucky and beyond.
We sequence DNA to Slipknot, investigate microbes in extreme places, and explore the connections between geology and human health. Around here, curiosity runs deep, the science gets messy, and every discovery is personal.
Chaos Meets Science
Exploring the impact of geologic systems on microbial life and human health through fieldwork and advanced omics analyses.
Feral Scientists Unite
We sequence to metal music, driving discovery in bioprospecting and pathogen surveillance.
In the Field
We go where science gets gnarly - caves, mines, and toxic springs. Field boots on. Let's get dirty.
We run omics, informatics, and geochem like a live set. Collaborators welcome. Volume guaranteed.
In the Lab
Latest in CHAOS
We’ve been getting dirty—crawling through caves, whipping the lab into shape, and rallying local citizen scientists to join the mission.
Can I lick (sniff) it?
what the sweaty T-shirt study taught us about immunity and reproduction
Is this rock interesting?
old stale taffy or Solidified lava flow?
floors are done, counters are sanitized, now we're ready to science
Crystal onyx cave, Kentucky
In the lab...
Latest Fieldwork
@WashburnChaosLab
Incoming CHAOS
Science doesn’t rest—and neither do we. Here’s a sampling what’s next from the CHAOS zone: science briefings, data drops, and a whole lot of noise.
Talks | Presentations Volunteering | Papers SideQuests | Chaos
Chaos Unleashed
The CHAOS Lab welcomes scientists who defy convention.
We’re here for those who do the work for the right reasons—pure science, no ego, no agenda. Just data, grit, and a relentless pursuit of truth.
This isn’t a white-coat cult. Our science is rigorous, field-tested, and grounded in real-world experience.
If you’ve got scars, you’ve also got strength.
This is where resilience fuels research.
Welcome to the pit.
