All posts by Melinda Box

CHAS at a Glance, Spring 2024

Information about the CHAS program for the upcoming national meeting March 17-21 in New Orleans is now available. More information about the open business meeting will be added as it become available.

The Agenda Book for the Executive Committee meeting is now available below. The meeting will take place on Sunday, March 18, 2024 12:00PM-2:00PM CST in a meeting room TBA in the Morial Convention Center.

In Memorium: Ralph B. Stuart III

Ralph Stuart,
Environmental Safety Mgr, Keene State College,
Past Chair & Membership Chair DCHAS

Please add your thoughts, prayers, and memories in the comment section below.

Ralph Stuart, a groundbreaker in environmental health and safety and a leader in ACS, passed away on December 6, 2023.

Over the course of nearly 40 years, Ralph made an incredible impact on health and safety.

Ralph was a pioneer in the health and safety field. Within ACS, he worked with and led the Division of Chemical Health and Safety and the Committee on Chemical Safety. He created the first known safety listserve (SAFETY-L), as well as the DCHAS-L listserve and this DCHAS website. He was an active member of the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) for more than 35 years, and he worked with organizations and individuals worldwide.

Ralph has published many papers and presented scores of lectures, workshops, and webinars, and he encouraged and inspired even more papers and presentations from others. He was so creative, so intelligent, and so motivated to push harder to find more and more ways to reach people and connect them with the information they need – his enthusiasm and passion were infectious. He mentored many people, from health and safety professionals to undergraduate students.

Ralph didn’t just talk, he acted, and in so doing created or inspired countless resources.

In 1985, Ralph joined the staff of the University of Vermont to create their first Chemical Right-to-Know program. Over the next 27 years, he built that program into an Environmental Health and Safety office that continues to flourish under the leadership of his protégé, Francis Churchill. He returned to his alma mater, Cornell University, where he made the connection between health and safety and science librarians, which initiated the connection between CHAS and CINF. In 2014, Ralph joined Keene State College as its Chemical Hygiene Officer and Environmental Safety Manager. He served as a mentor to many students in the Safety and Occupational Health Applied Sciences program and taught several courses. He was expecting to retire from Keene State later this year.

Among his countless accomplishments, Ralph created networks for individuals and groups to communicate and share resources and ideas virtually. In the early 1990s, he recognized the connection of behavioral sciences and laboratory safety and brought such professionals into the field. He boldly reached out to the EPA to convince them that there was a more effective way to manage chemical waste at universities, eventually leading to the current Academic Waste Rules. He worked with the NIH and international collaborators to study how people look for chemical safety information and how to drive them to the best resources. He worked with graduate students and early career scientists and health and safety professionals to provide mentorship and encourage best practices and conversation. He worked with educators to advance pedagogy for continuous learning.

Ralph influenced, inspired, and mentored so many people who will feel his loss, and impacted people who never heard of him in ways they will not know. He has truly planted trees under whose shade he knew he would never sit. 

Ralph’s family will have a private memorial service in 2024. ACS DCHAS will share additional ways to celebrate his life over the coming weeks.

Join Us for a CHAS Chat! Dec 14, 2023

The ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety (CHAS) is a vibrant, active community of nearly 1,700 volunteers dedicated to providing authoritative technical resources and mentorship to individuals in varying stages of their education and career.

In addition to facilitating peer-led workshops, webinars, and presentations, the Division also hosts highly-interactive “CHAS Chats”. These virtual discussions provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with subject matter experts and other members of the Division to talk about safety-related issues.

CHAS’s most recent Chats are dedicated to exploring ways that the Division can position itself as a supportive chemical safety resource for two-year colleges (2YC). The next CHAS Chat is the second in the “Safety in the 2YC” Series and is scheduled for Thursday, December 14th from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST. The primary focus will be the safe management and storage of chemicals, but all safety-related questions are welcome!

Please use this link to register for December’s free CHAS Chat. Visit the Division’s website to browse its portfolio of projects and activities, and contact membership@dchas.org to learn more about becoming a member!

SERMACS 2023 CHAS Presentations

The 2023 Southeast Regional Meeting hosted a Division of Chemical Health and Safety symposium titled Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in Laboratory Safety. Links to the powerpoint files are listed below.

Microcredentialing – New Frontier in undergraduate safety training. M.C. Box

Creation, assessment, and application of postgraduate virtual reality experiences in laboratory safety. D.S. Lawrence

Improving chemists’ safety in research and development laboratories: By eliminating all bench-level obstructions with a MAC hood support safety device. T.D. McKibben

Accessing chemical hazard and safety data via the internet. A.J. Williams, T. Martin, V. Tkachenko

Applying lessons of NOD to chemical laboratory safety. R.H. Hill

Understanding, developing, and implementing laboratory safety culture in academic institutions. D.F. Henry

Professional Workshops

[If you are looking for the LST Workshop (“Empowering Academic Researchers to Strengthen Safety Culture”) or the RAMP Workshop (“RAMP in the Research Lab”), please click here.]

CHAS no longer holds in-person workshops in conjunction with the ACS National Meetings due to the costs associated with the meeting rooms and attendee travel costs. We now have online workshops via zoom covering the same variety of topics. These are held twice a year, usually 2-4 weeks after national meetings. For the Spring 2023 session, we are experimenting with half-day sessions, but may return to full-day for the Fall depending on attendance and enthusiasm for the half-day sessions.

Below are links to registration for the Spring sessions to be held the first week of May. All sessions begin at 1PM EDST and the cost is $195 per session. Please let me know if you have any questions!

If you are interested in arranging any of these trainings for your company or local section meetings, contact us at membership@dchas.org

Upcoming Workshops for 2024

“How to Convince Others (that safety is important and that you’re serious about it)” – Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute

“Why Fume Hoods Go Wrong- And How to Make Them Right” – Victor Neuman, FumeHoodCertified.com

“Laboratory Waste Management” – Russ Phifer, WC Environmental, LLC

“Chemical Safety in the Lab: Purchasing, Handling, Storage, Disposal, and Labeling” – Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute

“How to be a More Effective Chemical Hygiene Officer” – Russ Phifer, WC Environmental and Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute


Ongoing

The ACS Youtube channel hosts chemical safety related videos on a variety of topics and styles for specific audiences. They are all available for Creative Commons use in classes with attribution.
This extensive 15 hour course on chemical safety in the laboratory is designed for undergraduate STEM students and others with a need to review the fundamentals of chemical safety in the laboratory. Register at https://institute.acs.org/courses/foundations-chemical-safety.html
ACS Essentials of Lab Safety for General Chemistry
On line, registration fee required.

If you have any questions about these workshops, contact us at membership@dchas.org or complete the form below.

Peer-Led Workshops

Current Workshops Schedule

[If you are looking for other workshops run by CHAS, please click here.]

History of Peer-Led Workshops

The 1st Peer-Led Workshop

In 2018, Dr. Kali A. Miller, at the time a graduate researcher at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and involved in the laboratory safety team there, developed a workshop called “Developing Graduate Student Leadership Skills in Laboratory Safety.” Initially supported by the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety, ACS Safety Programs, and the ACS Office of Graduate Education, the workshop was first held at the ACS National Meeting in Spring 2018. A paper was published describing this pilot workshop and initial survey analysis that can be found here. The workshop continued to be held at ACS National Meetings with different graduate researcher facilitators.

Jessica A. Martin began working closely with Dr. Miller to coordinate, and eventually take over general management of the workshop. They also interviewed graduate researcher leaders of LST teams as a means of learning more about the movement and improving the offerings of the workshop. This resulted in a publication about LSTs that can be found here.

As 2020 approached, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to a virtual world. Starting with the Spring 2020 ACS National Meeting, Jessica worked with the Facilitators for that workshop to rapidly convert the workshop to a virtual format. Additionally, graduate researchers representing 12 different LSTs came together to write another peer-reviewed publication that can be found here discussing how the teams have survived the stress test introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As interest in the workshop continued to blossom in the academic community, it was recognized that the virtual version could reach a wider audience and be held independent of conferences. Jessica recruited known and active advocates in the ACS safety community to constitute a Mentorship Team to continue to improve the workshop. Graduate researchers involved in the LST leadership at their own institutions were also regularly recruited to serve as Facilitators and Moderators to share their experiences and improve their own professional skills. The workshop was renamed “Empowering Academic Researchers to Strengthen Safety Culture” in recognition of the changes made to it.

The 2nd Peer-Led Workshop

In 2021, Taysir BaderCatherine WilhelmKerry BetzWhitney HessHaim Weizman, and Ralph Stuartdeveloped a second workshop called “RAMP Risk Management in the Research Lab”. with funding from an ACS Innovative Project Grant.  The goal of the grant was to identify how to use the RAMP paradigm as both an educational and operational tool for chemists in higher education.

The workshop used the same peer-led structure developed in the first workshop, recruiting graduate researchers to help run the workshops as Workshop Leaders, Facilitators, and Moderators. This workshop is also supported by the Mentorship Team. This workshop has been successfully delivered virtually and in-person to both general audiences and specific universities. 

2023 Peer-Led Workshops

For 2022 and 2023, Monica Nyansa of the Michigan Technological University is serving as the Workshop Leader for “Empowering Academic Researchers to Strengthen Safety Culture”. She has described her experience with the workshop as part of her professional development in a posting for the ACS Chemistry Grad and Postdoc blog. 

For 2022 and 2023, Brady Bresnahan of the University of Minnesota is serving as the Workshop Leader for “RAMP Risk Management in the Research Lab”

Listed below are all of the individuals who have helped run the workshops as Workshop Leaders, Facilitators, and Moderators. Below that is a list of the fantastic Mentorship Team members!

Please check our workshop schedule for information and registration for the latest workshops!

Workshop date (year, month)RoleNameInstitutionTeam name
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTLeaderBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of ToledoGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorRanjana BurmanUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorChristian McCoyUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMahmood NorouziMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAdonis AmoliMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorPrince Frederick KwaoUniversity of North DakotaOffice of Safety
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorUmesha KumbalatharaThe University of ToledoGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorNafisa BalaUniversity of North DakotaOffice of Safety
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorCaroline DonaghyUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorSrijana PandeyOhio UniversityFacilities Management and Safety
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTLeaderMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of Toledo
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorCaroline DonaghyUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMasha AleksichUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMuhammad Qasim AliTexas Tech University
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSrijana PandeyOhio University
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMarilyn NaeemUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAdonis AmoliMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2023.10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAntigoni KonstantinouUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2023.10 (In Person) RAMPLeaderBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023.10 (In Person) RAMPFacilitatorEmily PinerNorth Carolina State University
2023.10 (In Person) RAMPFacilitatorEmma MurphyUniversity of North Carolina Chapel HillUNC
Joint Safety Team
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPLeaderBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorEmily PinerNorth Carolina State University
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorEmma MurphyUniversity of North Carolina Chapel Hill
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorSamya SamantaTexas A&M UniversityChemistry Student Safety Committee
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorHanne HenricksenUNC Chapel HillUNC Joint Safety Team
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMuhammad Zaeem IdreesUniversity of Idaho
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMustapha AbdulmojeedNorth Carolina State University
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorQAISAR MAQBOOLUniversity of south florida
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorAnelisse ClarosUniversity of ArkansasEngineering Safety Club
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMaya ButlerUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorIvan CockmanNorth Carolina State University
2023.06 (In Person) LSTLeaderMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2023.06 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023.06 (In Person) LSTModeratorBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of Toledo
2023.06 (In Person) LSTModeratorJessica MartinMentorship Team Member
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPLeaderBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorKris ElbeinUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorAishanee SurTexas A & M UniverityChemistry Student Safety Committee
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorGretchen BurkeUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorKyle SeabournUniversity of Idaho
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMaya ButlerUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorRain TalosigUniversity of California, IrvineGraduate Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorSofia Estela Ramirez LopezUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorYuri LeeThe Ohio State University
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorEleni SpanoliosUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2023. 04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorQaisar MaqboolUniversity of South Florida
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTLeaderMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAdelina OronovaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorChristy DyerThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorJamiu OyetoroUniversity of Ibadan
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSrijana PandeyOhio University
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of Toledo
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorPopoola Olamilekan EmmanuelUniversity of Ibadan
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorProsenjit RayAuburn University
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorCaroline DonaghyUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2023. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorQaisar MaqboolUniversity of South Florida
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPLeaderBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorHossain ShadmanThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorKris ElbeinUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMurphi WilliamsUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorRain TalosigUniversity of California, IrvineGraduate Safety Team
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorCalla McCulleyMentorship Team Member
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorAmanda ChungMentorship Team Member
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorRalph StuartMentorship Team Member
2022. 11 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorSamuella SigmannMentorship Team Member
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTLeaderMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAlex Leon RuizUniversity of California, Los AngelesJoint Research Safety Initiative (JRSI)
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAdelina OronovaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSaghar GomrokThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorJamiu OyetoroUniversity of Ibadan
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorPopoola Olamilekan EmmanuelUniversity of Ibadan
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorChristy DyerThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSrijana PandeyOhio University
2022. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of ToledoENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND RADIATION SAFETY
2022. 07 (In Person) RAMPFacilitatorTaysir BaderUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 07 (In Person) RAMPFacilitatorBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTLeaderMonica NyansaMichigan Technological University
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorHossain ShadmanThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAmanda ChungUniversity of California, IrvineGraduate Safety Team
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorDinesh GautamOhio University
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorChristy DyerThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorBrady BresnahanUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAshan WettasingheUniversity of Texas at Dallas
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMelissa AlfonsoThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAdelina OronovaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTLeaderMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorRachel WileyThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAlex Leon RuizUniversity of California, Los AngelesJoint Research Safety Initiative (JRSI)
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorHossain ShadmanThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAmanda ChungUniversity of California, IrvineGraduate Safety Team
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAbhijeet PatilMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSaghar GomrokThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorHemanta TimsinaUniversity of ArkansasEngineering Safety Club
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorFarouq BusariUniversity of Ibadan (Nigeria)
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorJessica MartinMentorship Team Member
2022. 03 (Virtual) LSTModeratorTammy Lutz-RechtinMentorship Team Member
2022. 01 (In Person) RAMPFacilitatorTaysir BaderUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2022. 01 (In Person) RAMPFacilitatorCatherine WilhelmUniversity of Michigan
2021. 11 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorTaysir BaderUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2021. 11 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorCatherine WilhelmUniversity of Michigan
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTLeaderJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorCalla McCulleyUniversity of Texas at AustinChemistry Student Safety Organization (CSSO)
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAustin MoyleWashington University in St. LouisChemistry Peer Review Safety Group (CPRSG)
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAbhijeet PatilMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorRachel WileyThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMaggi Braasch-TuriColorado State University
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMelissa AlfonsoThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorHemanta TimsinaUniversity of ArkansasEngineering Safety Club
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAdelina OronovaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 10 (Virtual) LSTModeratorFarouq BusariUniversity of Ibadan (Nigeria)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTLeaderJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorLindsey ApplegateUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorJessica DeYoungUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorTaysir BaderUniversity of MinnesotaJoint Safety Team
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAbhijeet PatilMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorCalla McCulleyUniversity of Texas at AustinChemistry Student Safety Organization (CSSO)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorRachel WileyThe University of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Graduate Safety Team
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAustin MoyleWashington University in St. LouisChemistry Peer Review Safety Group (CPRSG)
2021. 06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMaggi Braasch-TuriColorado State University
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTLeaderJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAlex Leon RuizUCLAJoint Research Safety Initiative
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorDagen HughesUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorLindsey ApplegateUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorJessica DeYoungUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorCristian Aviles-MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorTaysir BaderUniversity of MinnesotaJoint Safety Team
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMelissa AlfonsoUniversity of MemphisUniversity of Memphis Joint Safety Team
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAbhijeet PatilMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMonica NyansaMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2021. 02 (Virtual) LSTModeratorCalla McCulleyUniversity of Texas at AustinChemistry Student Safety Organization (CSSO)
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTLeaderJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorSarah ZinnUniversity of ChicagoThe Joint Research Safety Initiative
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorJessica DeYoungUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMarta GmurczykMentorship Team Member
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMary Beth KozaMentorship Team Member
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorLindsey ApplegateUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorDagen HughesUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorKali MillerMentorship Team Member
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorDavid FinsterMentorship Team Member
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorCristian Aviles-MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2020. 11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAlex Leon RuizUCLAJoint Research Safety Initiative
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTLeaderJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorCristian Aviles-MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorAlex Leon RuizUCLAJoint Research Safety Initiative
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSarah ZinnUniversity of ChicagoThe Joint Research Safety Initiative
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorJessica DeYoungUniversity of IowaChemical Safety and Responsibility Stewards (CSARS)
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorKali MillerMentorship Team Member
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMarta GmurczykMentorship Team Member
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorSammye SigmannMentorship Team Member
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorDavid FinsterMentorship Team Member
2020. 08 (Virtual) LSTModeratorRalph StuartMentorship Team Member
2020. 03 (Virtual) LSTLeaderJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2020. 03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorVictor BeaumontYale UniversityChemistry Joint Safety Team
2020. 03 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorVeronica HayesUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2019. 08 (In Person) LSTLeaderKali MillerUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChemistry Joint Safety Team
2019. 08 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2019. 08 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorChandra KarkiThe University of South Dakota
2019. 06 (In Person) LSTLeaderKali MillerUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChemistry Joint Safety Team
2019. 06 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorJessica MartinUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2019. 06 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorDavid FinsterMentorship Team Member
2019. 03 (In Person) LSTLeaderKali MillerUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChemistry Joint Safety Team
2019. 03 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorKendra DenlingerXavier University
2018. 08 (In Person) LSTLeaderKali MillerUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChemistry Joint Safety Team
2018. 08 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorKaitlin TylerUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChemistry Joint Safety Team
2018. 03 (In Person) LSTLeaderKali MillerUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChemistry Joint Safety Team
2018. 03 (In Person) LSTFacilitatorMichail VlysidisUniversity of MinnesotaJoint Safety Team

Description of Roles:

Leader: Recruits and trains Facilitators and Moderators; manages updates to workshop content; organizes logistics; communicates with participants before and after workshop as needed; manages technology during the workshop; leads pre-workshop practice and post-workshop review sessions for Facilitators with the Mentorship Team

Facilitator: Student researchers who have previously attended the workshop and served as Moderators, participate in updates to workshop content through pre-workshop practice and post-workshop review sessions with the Leader and Mentorship Team; delivers workshop content to live audience; facilitates small group and large group activities and discussion during the workshop.

Moderator (Position created for virtual workshops): Student researchers who have previously attended the workshop who now serve in the practice audience for pre-workshop practice sessions and participate in post-workshop review sessions; contribute to updates to workshop content; monitor Breakout Room activities during the workshop.

Mentorship Team: This team is a group of senior CHAS members and other safety professionals who support the workshop leaders with content review and advice and who also serve as back-up moderators for virtual workshops.

2021 Mentorship Team

  • Kali A. Miller
  • David Finster
  • Marta Gmurczyk
  • Mary Beth Koza
  • Ralph Stuart 
  • Samuella Sigmann

2023 Mentorship Team

  • Amanda Chung
  • Calla McCulley
  • Catherine Wilhelm
  • Dwayne Henry
  • Jessica Martin
  • Kali Miller
  • Marta Gmurczyk
  • Mary Beth Koza
  • Sammye Sigmann
  • Sara Johnson
  • Sarah Zinn
  • Tammy Lutz-Rechtin
  • Taysir Bader
  • Tilak Chandra
  • Ken Kretchman

ACS Webinar: How to Safely Manage Chemicals in Educational Settings

May 2023

Most professionals and educators understand the importance of safe chemical management in today’s world. Unfortunately, many undergraduate, graduate, and secondary education programs do not provide equal coverage of this critical competency.

Join Professor of Chemical Education Susan Wiediger of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Safety Education Consultant Samuella B. Sigmann as they discuss the fundamentals and best practices for chemical management, highlighting avenues for individuals to pursue more knowledge.

This ACS Webinar is moderated by Amanda Chung, Chemical Hygiene Officer at the University of North Texas and is co-produced with the ACS Division of Chemical Health & Safety and the Committee on Chemical Safety.

Presenters were Susan Wiediger, Professor, Chemical Education, Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Samuella B. Sigmann, Safety Education Consultant & Past Stockroom, Director, and Chemical Hygiene Officer, Appalachian State University (Retired).

What You Will Learn

  • How and why to organize chemicals based on hazard categories
  • Best practices for upkeep and maintenance of chemical storage areas
  • Essential information needed for inventory management including best labeling practices for secondary containers

Webinar Presentation

The transcript of the Q&A following the presentation:

Become a Member

Membership Benefits

Membership in the Division of Chemical Heath and Safety is a powerful tool for chemical health and safety professionals in industry, academia and government. Membership benefits include access to theDCHAS e-mail listserv. This diverse group is comprised of safety professionals (with a wide range of backgrounds and careers) who freely share their experiences, insight, and knowledge when members have questions and serve to mentor safety professionals to help ensure their success. You will also receive notice of papers to be presented and social events at National Meetings.

You can join the Division at the ACS web site at https://home.acs.org/forms/s/technical-divisions?sc=1234

To receive the ACS Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, you can receive it as a membership benefit by joining the ACS itself at the ACS membership website.
For more information, please contact Taysir Bader, Membership Chair at membership@dchas.org.