Expedition Partner Program

The Expedition Partner Program is what happens when “I wish I could see how real science actually works” collides headfirst with caves, mud, field gear, questionable terrain choices, and the Washburn CHAOS Lab.

This is not a guided museum tour where somebody points at a rock for forty minutes while everyone politely pretends to be fascinated by sediment. Expedition Partners step directly into the real process of scientific exploration alongside the Washburn CHAOS Lab, joining active field expeditions focused on caves, karst systems, environmental microbiology, geochemistry, extreme-environment drug discovery, dynamic landscapes, and the hidden biological and geological systems most people never realize exist beneath their feet.

Partners experience the science as it actually happens: planning expeditions, hauling equipment into places clearly designed by nature to reject human existence, collecting environmental samples, documenting field observations, navigating terrain, discussing hypotheses in real time, and watching the chaotic transition from muddy sample bags to actual scientific data. Depending on the expedition, this may involve caves, streams, springs, mines, forests, cliffs, mud, water, insects, weather, darkness, long hikes, heavy packs, or the sudden realization that science is apparently powered almost entirely by caffeine, stubbornness, and questionable decision-making.

This is immersive field science. Expedition Partners work alongside the lab during real research operations, assisting with supervised sample collection, environmental observations, expedition logistics, documentation, field processing, transport preparation, and the general organized chaos required to turn environmental systems into usable scientific data. Some expeditions may also include optional behind-the-scenes laboratory experiences such as sediment processing, rock crushing and pulverization, microscopy demonstrations, or instrument workflows depending on scheduling, safety requirements, and active projects.

The program is designed for people who want more than a casual outreach event. Expedition Partners get behind-the-scenes access to how scientific discoveries are actually made, how projects evolve in real time, how researchers troubleshoot problems in the field, and how curiosity slowly mutates into hypotheses, analyses, data, and occasionally publishable results.

This is also the highest level of direct support for the Washburn CHAOS Lab. Expedition Partners are not just observing the science; they are actively making it possible. Program costs directly support expedition supplies, laboratory analyses, sequencing, metabolomics, field equipment, travel, food, insurance and safety infrastructure, publication costs, conference presentations, student researchers in the lab, and the scientist time required to transform environmental samples into real scientific discoveries. In many ways, Expedition Partners function as the funding agency behind the expedition itself, helping turn ambitious scientific questions into actual fieldwork, data, and research.

Depending on sponsorship level and expedition type, Expedition Partners may also receive:

• Official CHAOS Lab field gear and expedition materials

• Expedition-specific patches and memorabilia

• Recognition on CHAOS Lab social media and presentations

• Behind-the-scenes expedition updates and media

• Honorary microbe or sample naming opportunities

• Invitations to future CHAOS Lab events or expeditions

• The official ceremonial issuance of Tactical Glitter™ at the end-of-expedition debrief

Select expedition tiers may also include official CHAOS Lab black lab coats designed in the style of expedition battle vests or biker cuts, complete with Washburn CHAOS Lab back patches, division identifiers, expedition patches, name tapes, and earned callsigns issued by the lab at the conclusion of the mission. Current CHAOS Lab divisions include:

• HAVOC — Extreme-environment drug discovery and bioactive chemistry

• MAYHEM — Microbiomes, environmental systems, and microbial ecology

• CONAN — Geochemistry, rocks, fluids, and environmental reconstruction

Callsigns are not self-selected. Callsigns are earned. These names are bestowed through highly scientific means involving field incidents, expedition behavior, catastrophic mud encounters, oddly specific talents, poor life choices, or whatever chaos unfolded strongly enough for the lab to decide it now defines your identity forever.

No science background is required. Curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace a little chaos are significantly more important. Participation requirements, safety restrictions, expedition limitations, and liability waivers apply. Expedition Partners participate in supervised scientific field experiences and do not receive ownership of scientific samples, discoveries, data, or intellectual property resulting from laboratory research or analyses.

Before You Submit

The Expedition Partner Program involves participation in real scientific fieldwork conducted in natural environments. These environments may include caves, forests, streams, karst landscapes, mines, steep terrain, mud, water, wildlife, insects, changing weather conditions, darkness, uneven ground, and other hazards commonly associated with outdoor field research. Please keep the following in mind before submitting an interest form:

This Is Real Fieldwork

Expedition Partners join active scientific expeditions, not guided tours or recreational outings. While no scientific background is required, participants should be comfortable spending extended periods outdoors, following safety instructions, adapting to changing conditions, and occasionally getting dirty.

Participation Is Not Guaranteed

Submitting an interest form does not guarantee placement in the program. Expeditions vary in difficulty, accessibility, location, timing, and participant limits. The Washburn CHAOS Lab reserves the right to determine participant eligibility and expedition assignments.

Safety Comes First

Participant safety is our highest priority. All Expedition Partners must follow instructions provided by expedition leaders and may be removed from activities if safety protocols are not followed. Certain expeditions may have minimum age requirements, physical requirements, training requirements, or restrictions based on site access agreements, landowner requirements, conservation considerations, or safety concerns.

Liability Waivers Required

All participants will be required to complete liability waivers, assumption-of-risk agreements, media release forms, and any site-specific documentation before participating in field activities.

Scientific Integrity

Expedition Partners participate in and support scientific research but do not direct research outcomes. Participation does not confer ownership of samples, data, discoveries, publications, intellectual property, or research results generated by the Washburn CHAOS Lab.

Media and Recognition

Many expeditions involve photography, videography, and outreach content creation. Participants may be featured in CHAOS Lab social media posts, presentations, outreach materials, and expedition updates unless alternative arrangements are requested in advance.

Program Support

Program fees help support expedition operations, laboratory analyses, student researchers, scientific equipment, field supplies, insurance, travel expenses, publication costs, outreach activities, and other costs associated with conducting scientific research.

The Most Important Requirement

Come curious. The best Expedition Partners are not necessarily scientists. They're people who ask questions, embrace adventure, respect the environment, enjoy learning, and aren't afraid to spend a day helping researchers carry gear into places that clearly did not want humans there in the first place.

Expedition Partner Program Information Request Form

Washburn CHAOS Lab

Science is metal. Science is feral. Science is CHAOS.

director@washburnchaoslab.com

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complex host and abiotic systems

@washburnchaoslab

Feral scientists exploring hostile systems, unstable environments, and the chemistry shaping what survives there.