Deborah Silva (left) and Yalan Xing led Hofstra's "Green Chemistry" certification effort.
Hofstra received a Certificate of Leadership from the organization Beyond Benign. This award recognizes the university’s work in fostering sustainability in chemistry education.
Yalan Xing, associate professor of chemistry, and Deborah Silva, assistant professor of chemistry and director of the forensic science program, are leading the Hofstra effort.
Beyond Benign is a not-for-profit dedicated to empowering educators to transform chemistry education for a sustainable future. The organization envisions a world where the chemical building blocks of everyday products are healthy and safe for humans and the environment.
The Green Chemistry Commitment supports higher education institutions as they integrate green chemistry across the subdisciplines of chemistry. Recognized institutions have demonstrated their dedication to:
- Expanding the community of green chemists
- Growing departmental resources
- Improving connections to job opportunities
- Affecting systemic and lasting change in chemistry education
“As a faculty member teaching organic chemistry and conducting research on the development of sustainable synthetic methods, I believe incorporating green chemistry principles into both our curriculum and student research is critical in modern society,” Xing said. “This certification from Beyond Benign recognizes Hofstra’s commitment to sustainability in chemistry education and connects us to a broader community of institutions, faculty, and students dedicated to greener practices. It also opens up opportunities for funding, research collaboration, and outreach, which will benefit our students by preparing them for careers that prioritize innovation and sustainability.”
Republished courtesy of Hofstra University