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The Department of Chemistry and Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) have won the American Chemical Society 2019 SafetyStratus College and University Health and Safety Award for 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s “outstanding comprehensive laboratory safety program in higher education (undergraduate study).”

EHS Director Jay Frerotte credited chemistry faculty member ’s successful Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM1010) course, developed with input from EHS staff led by environmental manager Keith Duval, as key to the award.

Awards committee chair Kimi Brown, a senior lab safety specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, called 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s approach to chemical safety education a model for other institutions.  

“Dr. Huston is passionate about ensuring that all 51��Ʒ��Ƶ chemistry students are educated in the philosophy of risk assessment and control, regardless of whether they participate in her CHEM1010 course,” Brown said. “To that end, she has added more engaging and informative safety content to both the undergraduate teaching lab curriculum and to the graduate student research-safety training. Furthermore, those students who do enroll in CHEM1010 are given a unique opportunity to develop important leadership skills and deepen their understanding of how safety integrates with science.” 

In addition to a plaque, the award includes $1,000 for expenses to present at the American Chemical Society national meeting in San Diego in August.