The University Laboratory Safety Committee (ULSC) at The Ohio State University recognized the ninth annual winners of the “Excellence in Safety” Award. The award, in three categories, recognizes a university faculty or staff member (Individual Award), an undergraduate or graduate student (Student Award) and a laboratory research group (Group Award) who has made considerable contribution to improving laboratory safety on the Ohio State campus. Such contributions can be defined as, but are not limited to, actions taken to prevent injury or illness, outstanding response and cooperation given to resolve unsafe conditions, consistent improvement during laboratory inspections, or any other consistent and proactive demonstration of efforts in support of a positive laboratory safety culture. This year’s selection process was especially competitive, resulting in a tie in the Individual Award category. After extensive deliberation, judges were unable to determine a tie-breaker and ultimately elected to recognize both nominees as award recipients.
Individual Award – Shawna Kaser
Shawna Kaser is the laboratory compliance officer for Ohio State’s clinical laboratory system. The following was stated in her nomination letter:
Over the past year, Shawna has made significant contributions to laboratory safety through strong leadership, collaboration and continuous improvement. She leads the Clinical Laboratory Safety Committee, representing 45 laboratories, and facilitates regular safety meetings to identify trends, review incidents and implement preventative measures. Shawna completed safety walkthroughs in every laboratory across the system, achieving 100% compliance, and developed innovative tools to improve documentation, tracking and follow-up activities. She also plays a key role in emergency preparedness, safety education and risk assessment activities in partnership with Environmental Health and Safety, Medical Center leadership and campus safety professionals. Through her dedication and leadership, Shawna has strengthened safety culture across the clinical laboratory system and created a safer environment for laboratory staff, students and patients.
Individual Award – Robin Taxier
Robin Taxier is the lead laboratory technician for the Hematology Tissue Bank. The following was stated in her nomination letter:
Robin consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication to laboratory safety through her proactive approach to risk assessment, training, process improvement and operational excellence. She regularly conducts safety audits beyond required inspections, develops risk assessments for new procedures, and promotes a culture where staff are encouraged to identify concerns and pause work when unsafe conditions arise. Robin provides extensive hands-on safety training and competency assessments, ensuring laboratory personnel are well prepared to perform their duties safely and effectively. She has led numerous safety-focused innovations, including enhanced liquid nitrogen handling protocols, the implementation of safe and ergonomic laboratory infrastructure, and the development of standard operating procedures for new laboratory services. Through her commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration and mentorship, Robin has strengthened safety practices across the Hematology Tissue Bank and serves as a trusted resource for colleagues and collaborators throughout the organization.
Student Award – Elaine Smith
Elaine Smith is a graduate student in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership and works within The Ohio State University Agricultural Safety and Health Program. The following was stated in her nomination letter:
Elaine has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety education and outreach, promoting a culture of safety both within and beyond the university community. Through her leadership of the “Ashby’s Advice” campaign, she develops and shares engaging safety messages covering topics such as fire prevention, electrical safety, emergency response, ATV safety and injury prevention. Elaine is also developing animated health and safety training resources for Ohio 4-H youth, helping educators deliver effective, age-appropriate safety instruction across the state. Her innovative communication efforts, collaboration with safety professionals and dedication to expanding safety awareness exemplify the proactive leadership and commitment to injury prevention that this award recognizes.
Group Award – The Benej Lab
The Benej Lab, led by Dr. Martin Benej in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, has established an exceptional culture of laboratory safety through proactive planning, continuous improvement and collaborative leadership. The lab includes Dr. Martin Benej, Kate Benejova, lab manager, and Kristina Travis, research tech. The following was stated in their nomination letter:
The Benej Lab has made safety a central priority by implementing safer research practices, maintaining thorough safety training and fostering a culture of accountability and prevention. The group consistently evaluates laboratory procedures to reduce risk, including adopting innovative research methods that minimize potential hazards without compromising scientific quality. Their commitment to safety was recognized through placement on the 2025 Dean’s Safety List, reflecting strong performance during inspections and a dedication to continuous improvement. The lab also serves as a model for others by sharing safety knowledge, improving safety signage and organizational practices, and working closely with Environmental Health and Safety personnel. The Benej Lab’s sustained commitment to protecting researchers and promoting a positive safety culture makes them highly deserving of this recognition.