Plantae Presents: How Plant Scientists Can Lead the Way in Green Lab Practices
Plantae Presents: How Plant Scientists Can Lead the Way in Green Lab Practices
Featuring Caitlin Broadbent, Malia Gehan, and Lize Joubert
When: Thursday, April 24, 2025, at
7:00 AM PDT | 10:00 AM EDT | 3:00 PM BST | 10:00 PM Beijing
About this Webinar
Join us for an insightful and inspiring discussion on the sustainability challenges faced by modern scientists—and how we can overcome them. Our expert panel, with extensive experience in sustainable science, will share practical advice on making informed, eco-friendly decisions in research.
We’ll explore challenges at various levels of academia, from establishing a new lab to implementing sustainable practices in resource-limited environments. Additionally, the LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework – UCL) research team will introduce their initiatives supporting research groups in reducing their environmental impact.
Whether you’re looking for actionable strategies or broader perspectives on sustainability in science, this session will equip you with the knowledge to drive meaningful change. Join us and be part of the movement towards a more sustainable future in plant science!
Hosted by the 2025 Plantae Fellows.
SPEAKERS
Caitlin Broadbent
Caitlin Broadbent is a Sustainable Research Officer in the LEAF Team at University College London, helping publicly funded Universities and Research Institutions across the world ensure how they perform research is sustainable. This is done through the adoption of LEAF – Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework created by UCL and used by over 130 institutions across 14 countries. Caitlin became interested in sustainability through the LEAF programme as a Junior Technician at UCL School of Pharmacy, before leading her department’s Sustainability Committee at UCL Ear Institute. X: @LEAF_UCL | Bluesky: @leaf-ucl.bsky.social | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbroadbent/ | LEAF Website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sustainable/take-action/staff-action/leaf-laboratory-efficiency-assessment-framework.
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Malia Gehan
Dr. Malia Gehan is a Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, where her research focuses on plant responses to temperature stress and the development of high-throughput phenotyping methods. Her lab integrates computational and molecular approaches to study plant adaptation and improve crop resilience in the face of climate change. Beyond advancing sustainable agriculture, she is dedicated to promoting sustainability in laboratory research by optimizing resource use, minimizing waste, and incorporating eco-friendly practices. Bluesky: @maliagehan.bsky.social | Lab website: https://www.gehan-lab.org/.
Lize Joubert
Dr. Lize Joubert is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State. Her research focuses on plant systematics and pollination biology, particularly within the Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, and Scrophulariaceae families. Dr. Joubert employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating taxonomy with experimental techniques in pollination biology and floral evolutionary development. Her work aims to understand the evolutionary history of Africa’s rich floral diversity and apply this knowledge to conservation strategies and sustainable agriculture. X: @LizeJoubert.
MODERATORS
Aditi Bhat
Aditi is a postdoctoral researcher in Cara Haney’s lab at University of Pittsburgh, where she is currently studying the role of receptor-like kinases in shaping root microbiome and regulating autoimmunity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Outside of the lab, she likes exploring new places through food and hikes, taking copious pictures along the way! X: @jumpy_botanist | Bluesky: @jumpy-botanist.bsky.social.
Gabriela Doria
Gabriela is a botanist and paleobotanist exploring plant evolution, flower development, and pollination biology. She’s currently a lecturer at EAFIT University (Medellin, Colombia. With a strong awareness of environmental issues, she incorporates sustainable practices into her daily lab and academic work. During her PhD at the University of Cambridge, she served as her lab’s Green Representative, co-leading the campaign to eliminate single-use plastic cups and supporting initiatives that earned the Department a “Green Impact Labs” Gold Award. X: @gabidoria | Bluesky: @gabidoria.bsky.social | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-doria-7b267526/.
Kestrel Maio
Kes is a second-year PhD candidate at the John Innes Centre studying the molecular mechanisms underlying how flowers develop their complex shapes, using the model system Arabidopsis thaliana. Her research integrates computational biology with molecular genetics to uncover conserved laws underlying morphogenesis. Kes loves being outdoors, exploring new places, and is eager to learn how to implement more environmentally-friendly practices in day-to-day science. X: @KestrelMaio | Bluesky: @kesmaio.bsky.social.
