UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State was recognized with the Academic Green Lab Trailblazer Award at the 2025 My Green Lab Summit in September, highlighting the University’s exceptional leadership and innovative efforts to advance sustainability in academic laboratories with the Penn State Sustainable Labs Program.
At the core of the Sustainable Labs Program is its cohort model, which emphasizes experiential learning and professional development. Through the Sustainable Lab Consultant initiative, trained undergraduate students are paid consultants supporting certification efforts in paired labs, while graduate students and faculty Lab Leads participate in a monthly educational series, fostering a collaborative community of practice and shared learning.
“Labs supported by consultants consistently achieve higher certification scores, and the experience provides undergraduate consultants with a unique hands-on skillset for careers in any field,” said Kristin Dreyer, director of education and outreach, Penn State Center for Nanoscale Science.
Over the years, the Penn State Sustainable Labs Program has emerged as a national leader among more than 100 universities participating in the My Green Lab Certification program. Since 2022, the program has engaged over 600 researchers across 79 labs on seven Penn State campuses. Together, these labs are actively implementing sustainable practices — from closing fume hoods and replacing hazardous chemicals to turning off unused equipment. These efforts reduce costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve lab safety and maintain research integrity while positively impacting the awareness, daily habits and decisions of researchers — skills and experiences trainees can carry forward into the future workforce.
The success of the Sustainable Labs Program is driven by its leadership team, comprising experts from a variety of backgrounds, including staff and faculty from Penn State Sustainability, the Center for Nanoscale Science, the Department of Biology and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
The program also supports Penn State’s strategic goals by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to be future problem-solvers and maximizing operational efficiency, according to Jack Rumery, the director of the Sustainable Labs Program.
“Our students, faculty and staff are driving real change in laboratory sustainability, and this award highlights the power of collaboration and innovation across our campuses,” Rumey said.
Looking ahead, Rumey said the program aims to build on this momentum by continuing to strengthen partnerships, expand participation and explore new opportunities to continue its role as a trailblazer in academic excellence, operational efficiency and career workforce development through the lens of sustainability.
Learn more about the program on the Penn State Sustainability website.