Lab Design Conference Speaker Profile: Michael Wesolowsky
2026 Lab Design Conference speaker—Michael Wesolowsky, principal, Thornton Tomasetti
Michael Wesolowsky, principal at Thornton Tomasetti, will facilitate a roundtable discussion at the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando, FL. Titled Addressing Vibration Concerns in Laboratory Design and Renovation, the roundtable session will take place on May 13 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
This interactive roundtable will examine how vibration—from external sources such as traffic and rail activity to internal contributors like footfall and building systems—can impact laboratory performance, occupant comfort, and research integrity. Participants will explore practical approaches for identifying, measuring, and mitigating vibration risks in both new construction and renovation projects. The discussion will also consider how structural design decisions, equipment placement, and vibration isolation strategies affect scientific outcomes as well as the health, safety, and well-being of lab occupants.
To get the most out of this roundtable, audience participation is key. Attendees are encouraged to come ready with questions, challenges they’re working through, lessons learned, or solutions they’ve tried, and to share their experiences openly to help create a lively, practical conversation that benefits everyone in the room.
Lab Design News spoke with Mike about the evolving vibration demands of advanced laboratory equipment, the need to align structural design with scientific use cases, and the jigsaw puzzles and rugged travel destinations that help him unwind outside of work. Make sure to get your conference ticket so you can benefit from this interactive discussion!
Q: What makes your Lab Design Conference talk especially relevant to the current trends and challenges in laboratory design?
A: As laboratory equipment (especially microscopes) advances in magnification and precision, the associated vibration criteria for these devices become more complex and challenging. It is critical to understand what equipment will be housed in the new spaces to ensure the design of the structure is adequate for its intended use.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of work?
A: I love jigsaw puzzles! My dining room table is always covered with at least two of them at any given time. My wife also enjoys dragging me up and down any mountain she can find, and I have begrudgingly learned to also enjoy the torture involved.
Q: Do you have a favorite lab design project or moment in your career?
A: The most challenging and rewarding lab project I was involved in was the Advanced Research Complex at the University of Ottawa, which spanned 12 years of my career (and sometimes keeps coming back for additional fit-out work!). Performing vibration verification testing on the 3.5-ft thick waffle slab floor to find that it performed exactly as predicted was the most terrifying and exhilarating moment of my career.
Q: Can you tell us about your favorite vacation spot or travel destination?
A: I like barren, desolate places! I know that sounds bleak, but places like Iceland, Utah, and Arizona have provided me with the most relaxing vacations!
Q: Have you attended the Lab Design Conference before? If so, what’s your favorite aspect? If this is your first time, what are you most looking forward to?
A: This will be my third LDC. My favourite aspect is the smaller, more intimate feel of this conference, compared to other conferences. I feel that there is more opportunity to connect with other attendees due to the structure of the agenda and the longer session times.
Register now to reserve your ticket for the 2026 Lab Design Conference!
