Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Preparedness Day—October 16, 2025
Mark your calendar for Preparedness Day 2025! This free event features keynote presentations, plenary sessions, interactive exhibits, and hands-on training with NUPD, the Office of Emergency Management, and other campus safety partners.
Stop by the OARS and ECOS table to explore resources, meet team members in person, learn about co-op opportunities, and pick up some fun swag!
Team OARS in action at Preparedness Day Spring 2025, supported by our co-ops and part-time student staff.
Biosafety and Biosecurity Month—October 2025
Northeastern is joining ABSA International’s 12th annual Biosafety & Biosecurity Month. This is a great opportunity to highlight safe and secure research practices.
How can I participate?
- Complete ALL training requirements: Several biosafety trainings were updated this summer. Ensure your trainings are up to date.
- Join the conversation: Watch videos featuring three Northeastern biological labs that model excellent biosafety practices. Do you have success stories to share? Email biosafety@northeastern.edu.
- Spread awareness: Download and share ABSA’s biosafety & biosecurity resources, or use our Halloween-themed biosafety posters to start conversations.
Stay tuned! More activities are planned for the month.
Poster artwork created by Gillian Mastrocola. © 2024 Gillian Mastrocola. All rights reserved.
Announcements
ISEC Shutdown: October 4-6, 2025
ISEC will be closed from 5:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4 through 6:00 a.m. Monday, October 6 for HVAC repairs and preventive maintenance.
During this time:
- all lab operations must be shut down
- fume hood sashes closed
- hazardous materials secured
- temperature-sensitive chemicals stored appropriately
- When labs reopen, confirm your fume hood and local exhaust systems are working before resuming research.
Questions? Contact oars@northeastern.edu (research-related) or ecos@northeastern.edu (facilities-related).
Team Updates
We are pleased to welcome Building Safety Manager Christopher Stoney to Northeastern.
Christopher Stoney
Building Safety Manager (Dana Research Center, Forsyth Building, Richards Hall, Ryder Hall, Snell Engineering Center)
Christopher brings over 20 years of experience in fire service and safety management to his role as Building Safety Manager. Prior to joining our team, Christopher served at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he advanced from Safety Specialist to Fire Safety Officer, overseeing campus fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance.
In addition to his higher education safety leadership, Christopher is a Fire Lieutenant with the City of Providence Fire Department in Rhode Island, assigned to Tower Ladder Co. 1. With more than 23 years in the fire service—19 of those in Providence—he has served across three departments and contributed to the development of future firefighters through his work as an instructor at the Rhode Island State Fire Academy.
Christopher holds multiple advanced certifications, including NREMT Paramedic, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, and Confined Space Rescue Technician. His diverse expertise and commitment to public safety make him a vital asset in fostering a secure and resilient campus environment.
Meet the Global EHS Leads!
Our global academic and research safety team continues to grow:
- From London, meet Zach Thomas, EHS Manager, and Matt Calladine, Lab Manager. Joining NU in the spring of 2025, together they jumped in at full speed to cover all of the EHS needs of our growing and recently expanded London campus, including makerspace and laboratories that opened this month.
- Liv McMillan, EHS Manager, supports the Roux Institute locations in Portland, Maine, with all aspects of EHS. She joined our team in December, 2024, just in time to make a large impact with her industrial safety background.
- Michelle Yung has actively supported our Burlington, MA innovation campus since May 2021 as Laboratory Safety Officer. She also handles a large purview of EHS management needs as well with the complex, unique operations on this growing campus. Her prior academic and research EHS experience has been an enormous help.
- Antonio Arredondo was the lab manager on the Mills College campus when it became Northeastern Oakland; he has since become our EHS manager on site. He has helped the university meet the needs of California’s unique regulatory requirements while wearing multiple hats during a time of rapid change.
We are so lucky to have this talented team on the ground.
Regulatory Update
A new Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) has been established in Portland, Maine.
The committee held its inaugural meeting in July, supported by the global Biosafety Program. Led by Northeastern faculty and strengthened by collaboration with non-affiliated community members, the Portland IBC will provide oversight for the expanding biological research and teaching projects at the Maine campus.
Safety Tips & Recent Findings
Lab Emergency Preparedness
Practice drills help labs prepare for emergency situations, such as chemical spills and emergency equipment use (eyewash and safety showers).
Contact labsafety@northeastern.edu for help planning a fun and realistic simulation.
Eyewash flushing process. Special thanks to Brian D’Amico, Senior Lab Technician from Chemistry and Chemical Biology for providing the video.
Hazardous Waste: Why Pickup Requests Get Rejected
Common reasons include:
- Poor Container Condition
The container is cracked, leaking, corroded, or missing caps. - Residue or Moisture
The empty or waste containers have excessive residue; the container is labeled as empty but there is material present within the container. - Incorrect Labels
Ensure all sections are filled out correctly and legibly.
Which one below is the correct label?
Radiation Spill Kits
In a rad lab? CHECK YOUR SPILL KIT TODAY!
A basic kit should contain the following:
- Gloves
- Disposable lab coat
- Shoe covers
- Count-Off spray foam or Radiac Wash cleanser
- Clear plastic radioactive waste bags
- Radioactive Material labeling tape
Ensure that a working survey meter and a scintillation/gamma counter are available to check all wipes and to identify areas of radioactive contamination.
Watch this short video on responding to radioactive spills
Get Involved
Have something to say about safety culture in labs?
We are looking for volunteers to participate in a 30-45 minute interview on safety culture. Your insights will help shape future training and events.
Help Shape Future Issues of OARS Insights
We’d love to hear from you! Tell us what topics you’d like to see in future issues or share feedback using the button below.
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