Working toward a PhD in chemistry, Jack A. D’Amelio is a third-year graduate student in the research group of materials science and engineering Prof. Daniel Shoemaker, whose lab specializes in solid-state synthesis and material characterization, with emphasis on the growth of single-crystal materials and x-ray diffraction.
D'Amelio was recognized with a 2025 American Chemical Society award for Leadership in the Promotion of Research Safety. In the Shoemaker Lab, D'Amelio's role includes the responsibility of being the safety contact to the Division of Research Safety (DRS), and the facilitator of conversations on safety culture and chemical operations.
D'Amelio explained that graduate students in their lab come from a broad range of disciplines, including physics, engineering, chemistry, and others, so they cannot assume they have all had the same training.
"The differences in our training are a massive advantage in conversations about safety, because it makes it clear that we can’t make hazardous assumptions that everyone has the same training, and therefore, we can skip safety conversations," D'Amelio said. "Additionally, our lab has an emphasis on the training of undergraduate researchers, which is both an incredible privilege and responsibility.
D'Amelio said training undergraduate students is the whole point.
"Contributing to the elevation of our lab awareness and preparation for chemical hazards enables the graduate students to better prepare their mentees, who we hope will go on to disseminate their knowledge throughout their careers, " they said. "It is critical when training the next generation of scientists to establish an intentional research technique that includes safety literacy and the confidence to stop work and ask questions, such that good research habits propagate into the scientific community as our students excel."
Undergraduate research was incredibly impactful in D'Amelio's decision to pursue a chemical career. They received a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 2023 from Central Washington University, following the completion of an associate's degree from Whatcom Community College in 2021.
"I am grateful for the superb chemical preparation I received, but more so, I will always be indebted for the inspiration and training I received to teach inclusively and advocate for the individual needs of students," said D'Amelio, who aspires to hold a position in higher education with responsibilities in both teaching chemistry and conducting research at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). "I view this path as an opportunity to support and give back to the type of programs that provided the formative experiences and community support that continue to enable me to succeed as a non-traditional student in chemistry."
D'Amelio shared two lessons they have learned in their research safety leadership role in the Shoemaker Lab.
"Nothing should be taken for granted when considering safety" — Research involves new chemicals, procedures, and personnel on a day-to-day basis, D'Amelio explained, requiring researchers to routinely question if they are proceeding in the safest way possible.
"Leadership means removing barriers, so the right thing is also the easiest thing" — D'Amelio said safety as an intentional practice requires researchers to have the foresight and self-regulation to make time to stop and consider, which is challenging, given the large stressors that career scientists face.
"As a population, graduate students’ mental well-being is poor, which can lead to poor decision-making conditions and misevaluations of risks. I believe that it is a primary responsibility of chemical leadership to design their approach to training, lab culture, and research progress, such that taking the safest course of action is the easiest and obvious choice," D'Amelio said.
D'Amelio said that recent unionization of research assistants across the university and the existence of graduate student organizations, such as the Joint Safety Team in the chemistry department, indicate a rising weight being given to the voice of graduate students in research leadership.
"I am encouraged to see that my peers and I are enabled to advocate for our safety and wellness at the start of our leadership careers, which I know will pay dividends to ourselves and the university today and throughout our careers," D'Amelio said.