This workshop will bring together multiple green labs programs to discuss strategies for starting and growing green labs programs on university campuses. Given the large environmental footprint of scientific research, every institution of higher education with a research activity rating of R1 should be implementing green labs programming. Not only will this be necessary for meeting institutional sustainability and climate goals, but green labs programs contribute to safety in laboratory research and educate scientists in efficiency and sustainability practices that are becoming more and more in demand within the research field. Green labs programs save institutions money and have demonstrated their positive influence on energy/water savings, waste diversion, community building in research, and educational and training opportunities for researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates. A wide range of topics will be covered including advice on starting a program, funding sources and levels, campus stakeholder engagement, similarities and difference of programs, incentive strategies, and how programs are structured and function to get work done and efforts accomplished. Participants will be given ample opportunities to ask questions and time will be provided for discussion on topics of interest by participants. Part of the workshop will be dedicated to breaking into smaller groups for deeper discussion and problem-solving on topics raised during the workshop.

Key Details

Registration Fees* 

* To check if your organization is a current AASHE member, please search the AASHE Membership Directory.

A limited number of scholarships are available to individuals who need financial assistance to participate. Please apply two weeks before the program begins (e.g., 2/20/2025) to be considered for a scholarship for this workshop.

Registration Policies:

• Registration deadline is Thursday, March 6, 12:00 p.m. ET.
• Payment is accepted in the form of Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.
  If you need to pay by check or ACH, please contact us at least 5 weeks prior to the event start date. Registration using these forms of payment must be received 4 weeks prior to the event start date and full payment must be received by AASHE within 2 weeks of event start date.
• Cancellation Policy: A 20% processing fee applies to any cancellation prior to February 24, 2025. No refunds will be given after February 24, 2025.
• No substitutions are allowed.
• Registered participants will receive access to the recording after the live event.
• Review all Terms & Conditions.

Register today

Facilitators

Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, Green Labs Program Manager, University of Colorado Boulder
Kathy has a PhD in chemistry, 15 years of lab experience, and, since 2009, has managed the University of Colorado Boulder Green Labs Program. She is a board member for the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) and chair of the I2SL University Alliance Group which partners on green lab efforts and works together to drive changes in systems that will benefit environmental sustainability at research institutions, including efforts to connect efficiency and sustainability expectations to US research funding.

Ryan Weeks, Sr. Sustainability Specialist, Green Labs & Zero Waste, Johns Hopkins University
Ryan Weeks is the Sr. Sustainability Specialist for Green Labs & Zero Waste at Johns Hopkins University. After finishing a PhD at JHU, he transitioned to the Sustainability Office to lead the Green Labs Program and utilizes his research background to support JHU’s campuses in fostering a culture of sustainability in both research and teaching labs.

Emily Colpack, Green Labs Coordinator, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Emily Colpack is the Green Labs Coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she has overseen the Green Labs Program since 2020. Emily works with labs on reducing energy, water, and waste generation. She helped implement a robust lab recycling program where they have recycled or reused over 100,000 pounds.

Leoncio Lagarde, Green Labs Program Assistant & Outreach Coordinator, University of Colorado Boulder
At the University of Colorado Boulder, Leoncio takes on the role of the Green Labs Program Assistant & Outreach Coordinator. With a solid academic foundation including an undergraduate and master’s degrees in Geosciences from UC Berkeley, coupled with his previous professional lab experience as a chemical analyst, he is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and sustainability in laboratory settings. Through engaging educational initiatives and targeted training sessions, he aims to propel forward impactful practices within the campus lab community.

Any questions about the workshop?
Please contact Daita Serghi, education@aashe.org