Basic Science and Lab Research Sustainability

March 2, 2026

In this episode, we explore a topic essential to every ATS member and their patients: Basic Science and Lab Research Sustainability. Hosted by Miles D. Hagner, MD, of the ATS Early Career Professionals Working Group (Assembly on Allergy, Immunology, and Inflammation), this discussion brings together experts Dr. Emma Thornell and Emily Colpack to examine how laboratory research can reduce environmental impact without compromising scientific rigor.

Emma Thornell, PhD, is a research assistant professor at the University of Iowa, where she studies the intersection of lung disease and environmental exposures. Emily Colpack, MPA, serves as Sustainability Lead and My Green Labs Coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Both lead initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of laboratory research.

Topics covered include optimizing ultra‑low temperature freezers and fume hoods, coordinating shared operations such as autoclaves, and appropriate use of biohazardous waste areas. Ultimately, the panel offers several practical strategies, with an emphasis on lab education, for making scientific research more sustainable—without slowing the pace of discovery.

00:00:00 – 00:00:15 Podcast Introduction & Opening Music
00:00:15 – 00:00:42 Welcome & Guest Introductions
00:00:42 – 00:01:13 Dr. Emma Thornell’s Background & Research
00:01:13 – 00:01:58 Emily Colpack’s Role in Sustainability & Green Labs
00:01:58 – 00:02:59 What Sustainability Means in Scientific Research
00:02:59 – 00:04:15 Environmental Impact of Lab Work (Energy, Water, Emissions)
00:04:15 – 00:05:55 How Labs Measure Their Environmental Footprint
00:05:55 – 00:07:48 Biggest Energy Drains in the Lab (Freezers, Hoods, Autoclaves)
00:07:48 – 00:10:55 Practical Ways to Reduce Lab Energy Use
00:10:55 – 00:43:26 Improving Sustainability: Programs, Culture Change & Real-World Impact

Host:
Miles D. Hagner, MD
Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine Faculty
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Guests:
Emily Colpack, MPA
University of Alabama Birmingham

Emma Thornell, PhD
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics