Peer-Led Workshops

Current Workshops Schedule

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

Register for Feb 9, 2025 Risk Management in the Research lab: RAMP Workshop

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
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorRanjana BurmanUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTFaciliatorMahmood NorouziMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorUmesha KumbalatharaThe University of ToledoGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorDeep Shikha SrivastavaUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMayowa AnifowoseGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTModeratorHafiza Zahra Rab NawazUniversity of South FloridaEHS
2024.11 (Virtual) LSTWorkshop LeaderBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of ToledoGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPWorkshop LeaderKris ElbeinUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorSadia AfrinUniversity of South Dakota
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorOmowunmi Rebecca AworindeMichigan Technological University MTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorOlajumoke M. AyeniUniversity of North Texas
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorAnelisse ClarosUniversity of ArkansasEngineering Safety Club
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMayowa Ezekiel OladipoFlorida International UniversityEnvironmental Health and Safety
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorKarin StoddartSeattle University
2024.08 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorAnnesha SenguptaTexas A&M University Chemistry Student Safety Committee
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorRanjana BurmanUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorMahmood NorouziMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorAdonis AmoliMichigan Technological UniversityMTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorPrince Frederick KwaoUniversity of North DakotaChemistry Laboratory Safety
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorUmesha KumbalatharaThe University of ToledoGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorEugene OgaUniversity of North DakotaChemistry Laboratory Safety
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorEsther Yirenkyiwaa AddoUniversity of North DakotaChemistry Laboratory Safety
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorHerbert Che MugheUniversity of North DakotaChemistry Laboratory Safety
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTModeratorDeep Shikha SrivastavaUniversity of ConnecticutJoint Safety Team
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorMarilyn NaeemUniversity of Massachusetts DartmouthUMass EH&S
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTFacilitatorSrijana PandeyOhio UniversityFacilities Management and Safety
2024.06 (Virtual) LSTWorkshop LeaderBabatunde Samuel ObadawoThe University of ToledoGraduate Student Safety Team
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorQaisar MaqboolUniversity of South FloridaEHS
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMP ModeratorOmowunmi Rebecca AworindeMichigan Technological University MTU Chemistry Graduate Safety Committee (MTU CGSC)
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorKaimin JiaUniversity of California, BerkeleyLab Safety Coordinator
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorOlajumoke M. AyeniUniversity of North Texas
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorAnelisse ClarosUniversity of ArkansasEngineering Safety Club
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorYuri LeeUCLAUCLA EHS
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorAnnesha SenguptaTexas A&M University Chemistry Student Safety Committee
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPFacilitatorMaya ButlerUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPWorkshop LeaderKris ElbeinUniversity of MinnesotaChemistry and CEMS Joint Safety Team
2024.04 (Virtual) RAMPModeratorMahadi HasanUniversity of South Dakota
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) LSTModeratorMahadi HasanUniversity of South Dakota
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.

Meet some of our mentors

Samuella Sigmann, Appalachian State University, retired

Samuella B. Sigmann retired from Appalachian State University in 2022 where she worked in the Chemistry Department for more than 30 years. Prior to retirement she was the Stockroom Director, a Senior Lecturer, and the departmental Chemical Hygiene Officer. She self describes as a chemical safety educator. As the 2022-2024 Chair of the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, she has worked on numerous projects for the ACS to produce educational safety materials for students at all educational levels. Mentoring the graduate students in the Peer Led workshops has been an opportunity to ensure that the next generation of researchers and educators have the necessary competencies chemical safety competencies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuella-sigmann-75932220/
Publications here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9705-2477
Committee on Chemical Safety
Division of Chemical Health and Safety

Amanda Chung, UNC-Chapel Hill

Amanda Chung is the Chemical Hygiene Officer at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was a 2022 LST Workshop moderator and facilitator and has been a mentor for the peer-led workshops since 2023.

Tammy Lutz-Rechtin, Univ of Arkansas

Tammy Lutz-Rechtin is the safety coordinator and an educator in the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, with over 30 years of experience in chemical and biological research and safety education. She is passionate about integrating safety into engineering design and working directly with faculty, staff, and students to foster a culture of safety.

2024 Mentorship Team

  • Samuella Sigmann
  • Dwayne Henry
  • Amanda Chung
  • Bridget Morris
  • Adelina Oronova
  • Marta Gyurczyk

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

2022 Mentorship Team

  • Marta Gmurczyk
  • Kali A. Miller
  • Jessica Martin
  • Tammy M. Lutz-Rechtin
  • Dwayne Henry

2021 Mentorship Team

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