Efficient Cold Sample Storage: Reducing the environmental footprint (and financial impact) of freezer use in research

Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, Ph.D. has a doctorate in Analytical Chemistry and 15 years of laboratory research experience. She manages the Green Labs Program at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) which utilizes a campus-wide, team approach to conservation in labs and involves partnership with scientists and many other campus units with connections to laboratory research. The program is celebrating its 10th year and is jointly funded by Facilities Management and the Environmental Center. Kathy is also a member of the board of directors for the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I²SL) and is dedicated to the Bringing Efficiency to Research (BETR) Grants effort aimed at connecting efficient resource use with research funding from sponsors. BETR Grants is an effort of the I²SL University Alliance Group that Kathy chairs.

Christina Greever has been involved in the laboratory sustainability field for four years. She currently works for the nonprofit My Green Lab, which aims to change the culture of sustainability through science. Through supporting My Green Lab's social media presence, Christina promotes the Freezer Challenge to a worldwide audience of scientists. In her former role as Program Assistant for the CU Green Labs at the University of Colorado Boulder, she supported and promoted the Freezer Challenge there for multiple years, aiding participating labs. In addition, she was involved in the Share ULT Freezer Program at CU Boulder, an effort which sought to further reduce the environmental and financial impact of cold storage on campus. Christina holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.