Nevada State Public Health Laboratory mission and impact

An older Nevadan sits in a clinic ready to be tested by medical staff in the room

Protecting the health of all Nevadans

Since 1909, the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) has served as Nevada’s first line of defense against public health threats. Located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, the laboratory protects Nevada’s health through innovation, rapid testing and partnerships statewide.

Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control for leadership in pathogen sequencing and bioinformatics

A researcher looks through a microscope at a sample

First in the nation to identify reinfection with COVID-19 during the pandemic

A researcher carefully organizes samples in a lab

Sequenced 6,000+ cases of Candida auris, a serious fungal infection – more than any other jurisdiction in the U.S.

A researcher looks at a sample while wearing full protective gear

Rising researcher: “I think this field was always my calling.”

From her undergraduate studies to nationally recognized infectious disease research and a nearly complete Ph.D., Lauryn Massic’s journey at the University of Nevada, Reno shows what’s possible when strong academic training is paired with hands-on public health work.

In 2021, she was selected for the highly competitive Infectious Disease Fellowship from the Association of Public Health Laboratories–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducting advanced research at the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory. Her work led to genomic discoveries in Candida auris that deepened understanding of antimicrobial resistance and strengthened public health response efforts across the globe.

Who we serve

NSPHL provides essential testing and support to every community throughout Nevada – urban, rural, frontier and tribal – as well as to approximately 50 million annual visitors statewide. Our experts work daily to protect public health, addressing everything from infectious diseases and foodborne illness to unsafe water and chemical exposure. The laboratory also provides a vital function in the newborn screening of every baby born in Nevada, identifying inherited conditions early so families can receive timely care and treatment for the health of their child.

A rendering shows the exterior of the future NSPHL currently under construction

The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory is building for the future with a new, state-of-the-art, 55,000-square-foot facility – scheduled for completion in fall 2026. The expanded facility will improve emergency response capabilities, house a new state toxicology lab, and support vital public health programs like newborn screening, disease surveillance and outbreak response through cutting-edge technology: creating an inspiring environment for the next generation of public health professionals.

Every year, NSPHL performs millions of tests that inform life-saving decisions:

2+ million tests annually, with 1.8 million newborn screenings

84,000+ infectious disease and environmental tests annually

507,000+ COVID-19 samples tested; identified first reinfection case in North America

6,000+ Sequenced cases of Candida auris, a serious fungal infection – more than any other jurisdiction

Critical services

As Nevada’s public health laboratory, NSPHL delivers unique services to the state, including:

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Supporting rapid action in times of biological, chemical or environmental crises

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
Assessing water safety and monitoring for foodborne illness to keep communities healthy

NEWBORN SCREENING
Early screening helps ensure young Nevadans reach their full potential and live healthy lives

PUBLIC HEALTH INNOVATION
Developing new testing methods and advancing research that drives better health outcomes

DISEASE DETECTION AND PREVENTION
Tracking infectious diseases and investigating outbreaks to keep communities safe

Working closely with the CDC, FDA, EPA and other partners, NSPHL ensures Nevada is ready to detect and respond rapidly to public health challenges: large or small.

Commitment to quality

NSPHL meets the highest federal and state standards, maintaining accreditations from CAP, CLIA, EPA and ISO 17025.* Every program is backed by rigorous training, quality assurance, and data-driven research: ensuring accuracy and reliability in every test result.

*Certification of accreditation – CAP#: 2248701 CLIA#: 29D0652748