Raised between France and the US, Martin started down the path of becoming a researcher in his university years, taking him to Canada, the US, and the Netherlands. This path was interrupted though, when his passion for sustainability led him to become the UK's (and Europe’s) first full-time sustainable laboratory specialist at the University of Edinburgh. After he moved south to London where he founded Green Lab Associates, while establishing the sustainable labs program at King's College London (where he was recognized with the Green Gown - Sustainability Professional award). Today he consults for a variety of institutions, whilst regularly speaking and teaching on the topic.
Martin has been recognized in the sector through:
• Winner of the
EMBO Lab Sustainability Award.
• Winner of the EAUC's Sustainability Professional Green Gown award for
investigating sample storage temperatures and pioneering sustainable laboratory work.
• Read articles from Nature on Green labs and Reproducibility and
Research
• Further writing on green lab practices
• An
IEMA Fellowship for helping to pioneer sustainable laboratories in the UK
Thomas is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of Groningen (NL). His
research focuses on key aspects of sustainable and Green Chemistry in the group of BenL. Feringa
(Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2016).
His work deals with major challenges associated with green feedstocks and chemical transformations,
covering many fundamental aspects of green chemistry, including green building blocks/feedstocks
such as lignocellulose, applications of polymers and coatings, photo-, homo- and heterogeneous
catalysis, energy carriers, water oxidation, and redox chemistry.
In 2023 he was awarded the Joseph Breen Memorial Fellowship from the ACS Green Chemistry Institute.
In November 2021 he initiated the founding of the Green Lab team at the University of Groningen. He
now coordinates and conducts the accreditation of laboratories and auditing at the University of
Groningen. He further researched sustainable lab practices, co-authored a ‘Sustainability
Guidebook’, and performed a case study at the University of Groningen. The data gathered is
regularly presented and communicated in scientific articles, newspapers and conferences.
Matthew brings technical expertise, innovation, and knowledge of embedding sustainability in laboratory operations. He has 15 years experience working in technical operations roles and has led institutional wide sustainable labs programmes in Higher Education. Matthew uses an array of mechanisms for improved efficiency performance, combining his experience in technical operations, environmental sustainability, innovation and project management. His previous projects also include working in partnership with manufacturers to bring innovative laboratory products with sustainability benefits to the commercial market. Matthew founded Motion Sustainable Laboratories Ltd in 2022 and has worked closely with Green Lab Associates since 2018.
Since 2009 Andy has been breaking new ground in lab sustainability. His company, Green Light
Laboratories Ltd is an independent consultancy offering a range of services to ensure that any lab
can deliver significant running cost savings through best practice, procurement, policy and
training. Andy’s customers include Russell Group Universities, funding bodies, procurement
consortia, Biotech, and Pharma. Alongside these services Andy also collaborates with manufacturers &
research organisations to assess current and new technologies in the lab environment, quantifying
the impact of equipment usage and measuring the impacts on procurement choices upon running costs.
Andy has extensive knowledge of equipment performance having carried out many case studies on lab
equipment, and has been contracted to write the testing procedure for laboratory cold storage units
UK-wide.
Andy is one of the industry’s leading presenters, his unique and funny perspective help him to
effectively share his knowledge, allowing his audience to make immediate, sustainable changes.
Valeria merges over a decade of molecular biology research with a commitment to environmental
sustainability. She earned her Ph.D. from Queen Mary University of London and served as a
Postdoctoral Research Associate at King’s College London, where she also became a ‘Sustainability
Champion.’
In 2021, Valeria transitioned into sustainability consulting, advising life sciences organizations
on green
practices. Based in Heidelberg, Germany, she also works on international projects, including the
Sustainable European Laboratories Network (SELs). She offers services in English and Italian.
Following a degree in biochemistry Joanna has 18 years’ experience in sustainability and ESG with
over
10 years in the research and innovation space including as Head of Sustainability for University
College London.
She has worked with clients ranging from FTSE100 companies to international environmental charities
to develop and implement sector-leading carbon and sustainability strategies.
As the co-developer of the LEAF standard for sustainable laboratories (now used by over 120 research
institutions internationally) she brings a wealth of experience in transforming laboratories to
reduce
costs and minimise environmental impact. She also specialises in reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions
through the supply chain and supporting organisations to communicate their sustainability story.
Alongside her consultancy practice Joanna is a visual artist whose practice explores environmental
themes.
