The Caring Scientist: Mission Sustainable

In this episode of the podcast, we have Jeroen Dobbelaere and Jan Heidelberger with us to discuss green grassroots groups in academia.

Why are green grassroots groups important for the sustainable transformation of universities? What are the typical struggles of the groups? How can university management help the groups, and what kind of support should green groups be asking for!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a program manager at the University of Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain and a sustainable labs advisor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Alysée Segui de Carreras, M.Sc., experienced in the pharma industry, now educated in LCA and circularity to take part in the ecological transition of labs and the healthcare system

... who are all passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

Links related to Climate@MaxPerutzLabs: 

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss equity and slow science with Luisa Maria Diele-Vegas, visiting professor at the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil.

What is "fast science" and what are the consequences of fast science on people and the planet? How can "slow science" be a solution, and what does it take to make slow science the new normal!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a program manager at the University of Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain and a sustainable labs advisor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Alysée Segui de Carreras, M.Sc., experienced in the pharma industry, now educated in LCA and circularity to take part in the ecological transition of labs and the healthcare system 

... who are all passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

Papers recommended by Luisa:

In this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kerstin Hermuth-Kleinschmidt who works as an independent green lab advisor in Germany.

How did Kerstin transition from science and sales to sustainability in science? What is the EcoMapping Method and how can you use it to reduce the climate impact of your lab in a systematic way? And what are Kerstin's expectations for the future of the green lab movement!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a program manager at the University of Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain and a sustainable labs advisor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

In this episode of the podcast, we have invited Nikolaj Lervad Hansen and Ann Schirin Mirsanaye from the University of Copenhagen to tell us how they went from -80C to -70C.

How was the decision of changing the freezer temperature made? What did it take to get the colleagues on board? And which sample types are they now keeping at -70C!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a program manager at the University of Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain and a sustainable labs advisor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

My Green Lab's info on -70C: https://www.mygreenlab.org/-70-is-the-new--80.html

List of biological samples kept at -70C: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13UvBeoXAhwSHshSYoUDHwcxWiW7qYLnUb-eLwxJbCYs/edit#gid=0

International Freezer Challenge: https://www.freezerchallenge.org/

UCPH article about Nikolaj's department adjusting the temp: https://sustainability2030.ku.dk/news/plen-raises-the-freezer-temperature/

CPR Goes Green at UCPH: https://www.cpr.ku.dk/about/cpr-goes-green/ 

Twitter: @caringscientist

Instagram: @thecaringscientist

In this episode of the podcast, we reflect back on the year that has passed since we started making this podcast.

What happened in the green lab landscape this past year? What changed in our professional lives? What are our reflections on the podcast, and which are our personal favorite episodes so far?!

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a program manager at the University of Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain and a sustainable labs advisor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

In this episode of the podcast, we have Hannah Johnson from Green Labs Netherlands (GLNL) visiting us.

How did the GLNL network start and how is the team organized? Which activities are they engaging in? And what does Hannah advise YOU to do if you are considering starting a national network!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a program manager at the University of Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain and a sustainable labs advisor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss (more) sustainable products and procurement with Raj Patey from My Green Lab.

How can lab products be optimized in terms of sustainability -- and how can you recognize greenwashing? How can you use the ACT label to find more sustainable products? And what can YOU do to motivate manufacturers to make greener products?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

In this episode of the podcast, we focus not only on ecological sustainability but also on social equity in science. Together with the CEO of the non-profit organization Seeding Labs, Melissa Wu, we discuss how donating surplus lab equipment impacts the two.

Which types of lab equipment can be donated to the “Instrumental Access” program, and how is it decided who receives it? Can broken lab equipment be given a new life through Seeding Labs? And in which ways have donations via Seeding Labs improved local responses to natural disasters and COVID-19?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to this episode:

In this episode of the podcast, we continue on the topic of sustainable conferencing and air travel in academia together with Kate Whitfield, sustainability expert at ISGLOBAL, and Teun Bousema, Professor at Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen.

What is the “Thoughtful Travel Campaign” and how can you take part? What can scientists, institutions, and funding bodies do to promote low-carbon travel alternatives and virtual meetings? And how are virtual meetings and equity connected?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible! 

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people! 

Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com 

Useful links related to this episode:

In this episode of the podcast, we talk to Viktoria Lamprinaki from the Company of Biologists about the "Sustainable Conferencing Initiative" which aims at promoting virtual conferences and reducing air travel in academia.

What are the current trends in organizing more sustainable events and how has the pandemic changed our perception of virtual meetings? What does the Sustainable Conferencing Initiative entail, and how can it be useful for researchers at all stages of their careers?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable.
One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people! Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Our guest is:

Viktoria Lamprinaki: Sustainable Conferencing Officer at the Company of Biologists

Useful links related to the episode:

In this special episode of the podcast, we have invited Martin Farley -- AKA GreenLabGuy from Twitter -- to speak about the LEAF certification program for public research institutions. Martin works as a Sustainable Labs Adviser at University College London and a Sustainable Research Manager at Kings College London, and he is the main driver behind LEAF.

What is LEAF and what is it like to take part in the LEAF program at an institution? What can you do to get your workplace to implement green lab schemes like LEAF? And what did Martin first google when he had a little career crisis before embarking on the green lab journey!? 

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
  
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark
  

... and both are passionate about the planet and people! Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Our guest is:

• Martin Farley: Sustainable Labs Adviser at University College London, Sustainable Research Manager at Kings College London, and Director of Green Lab Associates (https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-farley-47a73956/)
  
  

Useful links related to Episode 7:

In this special episode of the podcast, we discuss the carbon emissions coming from computational biology with two experts: Loïc Lannelongue and Jason Grealey.

What does ‘the cloud’ or a server actually look like? How are IT use and computational science linked to carbon emissions? And does it make any difference if you reduce how much data you store or how many computations you run!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable. One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people! Reach out if you have questions or comments! podcast@avasustain.com

Our guests are:

• Jason Grealey, Ph.D. student at Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (Australia)
• Loic Lannelongue, Ph.D. student at Systems Genomic lab, University of Cambridge (UK) 

Useful links related to Episode 6:

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss cold storage in research labs.

What are the main reasons for cold storage consuming massive amounts of energy? What can lab users do to reduce CO2 emissions related to cold storage? And does it really make a difference to defrost your freezers!?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable.

One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
  
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark
  

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments!

podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to Episode 5:

In this fourth episode of the podcast, we discuss water consumption and wastewater in research labs.

What are the reasons for the massive consumption of water? How can it be that most of the water that we use is invisible to us? And why is it not only important to think about the water we use, but also the water we dispose of?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable.

One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
  
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark
  

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments!

podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to Episode 4:

In this third episode of the podcast, we discuss energy consumptions in research labs. 

Which pieces of equipment use the most energy in the lab? How can you make it easier for yourself and your lab mates to reduce energy consumption? And does it really make a difference to turn off heat blocks and water baths?!

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable.

One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark
  

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments! 

podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to Episode 3:

In this second episode of the podcast, we discuss one of the most obvious environmental consequences of lab work: plastic waste.

How much plastic waste do scientific research labs produce, what happens to the plastic after it leaves the labs, and how can you reduce the plastic waste in your lab?

Join us on our mission towards more sustainable research as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable.

One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK 
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments!
podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to Episode 2:

In this first episode, you will get to know us -- Adriana and Nikoline -- and our mission.
What is our background, why are we doing what we're doing, and how did we become interested in sustainability in science?

Starting on 10 April 2021, join us as we discuss obstacles and solutions, talk to other caring scientists, and try to figure out how to make scientific research more sustainable.

One thing is certain: Mission Sustainable isn't a Mission Impossible!

Your hosts are:

• Adriana Wolf Perez, Ph.D., working as a scientist in a biomedical start-up company in Cambridge, UK
• Nikoline Borgermann, Ph.D., working as an independent green lab consultant at Ava Sustain in Copenhagen, Denmark

... and both are passionate about the planet and people!

Reach out if you have questions or comments!
podcast@avasustain.com

Useful links related to Episode 1: