UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program recently hosted its inaugural Industry Day, bringing together industry leaders, graduate researchers, campus partners and undergraduate sustainability consultants. The day strengthened connections between student learning and industry expertise and shaped a long-term vision for sustainable research spaces through hands-on opportunities that build sustainability knowledge and professional skills.
A day of collaboration and discovery
The day began with an overview of Penn State’s sustainability initiatives and the program’s evolution, including the integration of the Sustainable Lab Consultant (SLC) experiential learning component. Advisory board members learned about the program, explored ties to industry sectors and identified strengths and areas for improvement. Representatives from leading global companies, including 3M, Agilent, Corning, Dow, GSK, Millipore Sigma, PPG and Thermo Fisher Scientific, participated in discussions and activities.
“This was a major milestone for the Sustainable Labs Program,” said Jack Rumery, program director. “Not only in terms of relationship building, but also in clarifying shared priorities that will guide our future growth and in aligning our efforts with the realities currently shaping the industry.”
Advisory board members toured lab spaces in the Millennium Science Complex and other campus locations alongside graduate student researchers, discussing lab practices as well as the challenges and opportunities of incorporating sustainable operations into daily research activities. Board members also joined the SLCs for their weekly training session, engaging in one-on-one conversations with the undergraduate consultants.
Students said they valued seeing how their work in the SLC program applies to real-world industry needs.
“By the end of the day, every advisory board member had come by to ask questions and share insights," said Elisabeth Ervin, a second-year consultant. "It was exciting to see how engaged they were with our work.”
Industry perspectives shape the future
The day’s activities set the stage for deeper discussions about the program’s future and opportunities for industry collaboration. Beyond the tours and training, the advisory board offered targeted feedback, asked questions and explored new ways to partner with the program. The meeting also provided informal networking, allowing student consultants, faculty and industry representatives to connect over shared interests in innovation, workforce development and sustainable practices.
During these discussions, SLCs and advisory board members engaged one-on-one, exchanging questions and insights.
“I really enjoyed talking with the advisors and learning how and why having sustainable labs is important to them," said SLC and Penn State student Damini Nair. "Since I want to pursue a career in research, it was exciting to see that what I’ve been learning and doing in the program is applicable and in demand in industry."
These interactions gave students valuable insight into how their efforts align with industry priorities and demonstrated the tangible impact of the program in the field. One adviser noted: “The training the SLCs receive and the responsibilities they take on is the most impressive aspect for me and highlights both the sustainability and job-readiness components of the program.” Another added: “The career development for lab leads provides valuable experience in managing safer, more sustainable operations applicable across industries.”
Looking forward
The advisory board’s feedback will help guide the Sustainable Labs Program’s next steps, including strategic planning, sustainable funding and industry mentoring.
“Industry insights are essential to ensure the program aligns with corporate needs, because that is where most students’ careers will lead,” said Kristin Dreyer, director of Education and Outreach at the Penn State Center for Nanoscale Science. “In just one day, advisory board members provided a wealth of ideas and confirmed that we’re on the right track.”
In the spring, four companies will return for a webinar series hosted by graduate students from the Center for Nanoscale Science, sharing case studies on operational excellence and connecting graduate research with industry problem-solving. Advisory board members can also participate in the annual SLC Forum in February to again engage with the students who support labs pursuing certification.
About the Sustainable Labs Program
“This program began as a novel effort to integrate sustainability into the daily practices and culture of Penn State research labs, but its unique design also cultivates transferable professional skills, leadership qualities, and a spirit of operational excellence in both SLCs and lab leaders,” Dreyer said. The program’s impact was recognized this fall when it received the Academic Green Lab Trailblazer Award at the 2025 My Green Lab Summit, highlighting its contributions to campus sustainability.
To learn more about the Penn State Sustainable Labs Program, contact Jack Rumery, director of the program, at jackery7@psu.edu or visit the Penn State Sustainable Labs Program website.