David A. Laviska

At the ACS Green Chemistry Institute, David leads the charge to reimagine the ways we teach chemistry and better prepare students and professionals to address critical global sustainability challenges. Central to this mission is the inclusion of green chemistry, the principles of sustainability, and systems thinking throughout the chemistry curriculum from K-12, to undergraduate, graduate, and professional level training. Prior to joining the ACS GCI, David taught at Seton Hall University where he created and 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. His research focuses on green(er) synthesis and characterization of late transition metal complexes with unique optical properties and hetero- and homogeneous catalysis. His research students have also developed and piloted green(er) experimental protocols for use in undergraduate teaching labs. Prior to his second career in academia, David worked for more than a decade as an Environmental/Analytical Specialist with the EPA (Region II) and earned all his degrees in chemistry: Ph.D. (Rutgers University), M.S. (University of Washington), and B.A. (Cornell University).