In an effort to further the goals of the Pitt Sustainability and Pitt Climate Action Plans and address a need identified by individual lab groups interviewed in the 2022 Scientific Supplier process, the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Sustainability created a Sustainable Laboratory Committee in 2022. The University of Pittsburgh’s Sustainable Laboratory Committee helps advance laboratory and laboratory research sustainability practices across disciplines and campuses by:
- Creating and honing sustainable laboratory best practices, processes, and opportunities that support the University’s sustainability and carbon neutrality goals and strategies.
- Advancing purchasing and materials handling procedures, policies, practices, and educational tools that support the University’s materials and resources sustainability goals, including 25% reduction of materials to landfill by 2030 (from 2017 baseline).
- Identify materials reduction opportunities across disciplines, with an initial focus on existing and emerging areas of science and scientific supplies.
- Develop strategies to educate the University community about laboratory practices that have lower and/or more positive environmental impacts.
- Develop inclusive and equitable sustainable laboratory operational, curricular, research, and procurement practices.
- Celebrate and share innovations, accomplishments, and success stories with the Pitt laboratory community
- Advise development of University sustainable laboratory operational systems and programs.
- Enhance Pitt Green Lab resources that support all labs campus-wide to actively engage in more sustainable lab practices.
- Annually review and advise “Pitt Green Lab” designation program on incorporation of emerging best practices.
- Provide feedback for University scientific suppliers on support required for designed and aspiring Pitt Green Laboratories.
Committee Members
- CO-CHAIR: Samantha Chan, Assistant Director of Sustainability, Office of Sustainability
- CO-CHAIR: Kristin Olexa, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Services
- Amanda Artsen, Faculty-Research, Physician, Ob/Gyn & Reproductive Services, Clinicians for Climate Action
- Jennifer Barnes, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability Coordinator, Purchasing Services
- Stefanie Coburn, Pitt Research Navigator, Office of Sponsored Programs
- Keith Duval, Associate Director, Environmental Programs, Environmental Health & Safety
- Jen Goeckeler-Fried, Brodsky Lab Manager, Department of Biological Sciences
- Ellen Kline, Research Lab Manager, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases
- Santana Lardo, Research Specialist 3, Department of Biological Sciences
- Alexis Meadows, Laboratory Safety Specialist, Environmental Health & Safety
- Christina Monnie, Laboratory Technician, Structural Biology
- Kady Waggle, Laboratory Supervisor, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases
- Nathan Wallace, Lab Manager/Lab Tech, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases
- Miranda Wimer, Purchaser, Department of Structural Biology