Welcome to the University of Virginia! I am Clarissa Lynch, Assistant Director for Research Safety. I am here to provide assistance, allowing you to begin your research quickly while achieving compliance with all regulations, guidelines and policies.

As you prepare to move your lab from another institution, or start up your new lab, please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding your new lab space or any special lab equipment requirements (e.g., facility-specific or safety considerations). Please contact your department for questions related to facility requirements you may have. I can also connect you to the appropriate people in various research compliance areas, such as the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Radiation Safety.

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) functions as a research support office and as such does not directly bill for any of our services. We will provide whatever assistance we can in making your research lab’s transition to UVA as seamless as possible.

We look forward to working with you!

Best regards,

Clarissa Lynch

What does Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) do to assist me in getting started with research and setting up my lab?

Clarissa Lynch is the dedicated EHS representative who will meet with you personally prior to, or shortly after, your arrival at UVA. Please call 434.982.4311 or email Clarissa to schedule an onboarding meeting. This is informal and structured as a time for you to ask questions, go over your EHS requirements, resources and services which we provide.

What training am I required to complete upon my arrival?

Training will depend on the research activity in your lab.

The base training you must complete prior to starting work in your lab is Chemical Safety and Waste Training for Research Personnel (log-in).

Please refer to Biosafety Training and Radiation Safety Training to determine other training requirements you may have.

I plan to do research with biological materials. Does my work need to be registered?

Yes. For more information see the Institutional Biosafety Committee’s Registration and Approval Process.

I plan to do research with vertebrate animals. How do I get started?

All research with vertebrate animals must be approved prior to implementation. For more information see the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee’s information for new PIs.

I plan to do research with radioactive material. How do I apply to become an authorized user of radioactive material?

For more information see Radiation Safety’s How to Become Authorized to Use Radioactive Material.

I plan to do research involving lasers. What do I need to do?

All Class 3B and 4 lasers must be registered with EHS prior to use. For more information, please see our page on laser registration.

Where can I get a statement for inclusion in my research proposals which require a brief overview of the University of Virginia’s environmental, health, safety, quality assurance practices, and oversight?

See this page for the Health & Safety Statement for Research Proposals.