Woods Lecture Series: David Laviska
Green Chemistry
Dr. David A. Laviska was Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University where he was co-director of the Academy for Green Chemistry, Stewardship, and Sustainability. As a pedagogical innovator, he led the effort to incorporate the principles of Green Chemistry throughout the Organic and General Chemistry curricula and was awarded “Professor of the Year” in 2020. As a first-generation college student and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he took leading roles in working with undergraduate STEM students from across the spectrum of underrepresented groups. His research focused on green(er) synthesis and characterization of late transition metal complexes with unique optical properties and hetero- and homogeneous catalysis. His research students also developed and piloted green(er) experimental protocols for use in undergraduate teaching labs.
Prior to his second career in academia, Laviska worked for more than a decade as an Environmental/Analytical Specialist with the EPA. He now serves as the Portfolio Manager for Green Chemistry and Sustainability in Education for the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute.