Keynote Presentations and Panel Discussions
Présentations principales et tables rondes
New Programs and Big Updates from I2SL
Alison Farmer, President and Labs2Zero Program Director, International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories
2026 has been a year of progress and change for I2SL, and we are pleased to share the latest news in this presentation. We will take a tour of I2SL’s programs and global chapters, and will then focus on two major initiatives.
Opening to participants in 2027, the International Fume Hood Challenge will recognize scientists, green labs staff, and facilities teams working together to improve sash management practices. Winners will be selected for their behavioral change achievements and energy savings impacts, and in this presentation, we will explain how to sign up and how to win the Challenge.
We will also talk about the impact of our Labs2Zero Champion program, our first ever professional accreditation, which launched earlier this year. We will discuss how Labs2Zero is evolving and will explain why we made it a priority this year to add lab recommissioning measures to the AIM energy auditing software.
And finally, the presentation will look ahead to the new Labs2Zero Expert accreditation program that will provide in-depth training for those interested in training others to navigate I2SL’s programs and tools.
Alison Farmer, President and Labs2Zero Program Director, International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Alison Farmer is President of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) and Program Director of its Labs2Zero initiative, leading efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs in laboratory buildings worldwide. A former research astrophysicist, Alison has worked in both consulting and lab-owner roles, specializing in HVAC controls, energy analysis, and building performance benchmarking for complex facilities. Since 2018, she has led the design and delivery of I2SL's building performance software, directing teams of contractors and expert volunteers from I2SL's network to develop specialized tools for lab facilities. A frequent speaker on lab efficiency, Alison is committed to advancing professional education in the industry and launched I2SL's first professional accreditation in 2026. She was a founding board member of two I2SL chapters, served as President of the Northern California chapter, and later held the roles of Board Secretary and Vice President of I2SL. Before shifting her focus to the built environment, Alison worked as an academic scientist, earning undergraduate degrees from the University of Cambridge in England and a PhD from Caltech, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. She is based in Berkeley, California.
A Fireside Chat with Laboratory Association Presidents
Kevin Humeniuk, Outgoing President, Sustainable Labs Canada
Dawn Jacobs, Incoming President, Sustainable Labs Canada
Alison Farmer, President, International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories
Miguel Antunes Pinto, President, EGNATON
Join the SLCan, I2SL and EGNATON Presidents as they share updates on their current activities and their vision for the future of their associations. They will also provide an overview of the initiatives that the Associations will be working on collaboratively with the goal of strengthening the global sustainable laboratory community.
Kevin Humeniuk is Architecture49's National Sector Leader for Science & Technology. He is a design architect, having obtained his Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of Manitoba in 2000. Kevin is a registered member a variety of provincial architectural associations, as well as the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Kevin is also a proud SLCan board member and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Over his twenty-four years in architectural practice Kevin has gained considerable experience in a wide variety of roles and responsibilities. He has been a project manager and design team member responsible for client liaison, functional programming, laboratory planning, and architectural production work on a variety of science projects. For the past fifteen years, Kevin has been exclusively involved in research laboratory projects as a project manager, project architect and laboratory planner. Kevin has presented at various conferences and seminars, including at Tradelines, the RPIC National Workshop, and the Canadian Biosafety Symposium.
Originating in the UK, Dawn Jacobs has a strong background in sales & marketing, this culminated in the launch of her own publishing company, which had ties to central government and the public safety sector. Selling her company in 1997 to concentrate on her family, she also spent some time working in project management at the National Health Service prior to her move to the USA in 2013. Since being stateside, Dawn was one of the founding members to launch American Epoxy Scientific to the laboratory and related markets. Since this time, she has immersed herself in the educational, research, biotech and industrial laboratory industries. Joining Fundermax North America in May 2020, focusing exclusively on the laboratory sector, Dawn was responsible for creating a laboratory team and helped update the SEFA Worksurface Standard. In July 2023 Dawn engaged in a joint venture with BICASA srl to form BICASA North America – a manufacturer of fume hoods and technical laboratory furniture solutions. She is an active member of SEFA (Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association), and a prior board member. Dawn is also an active member of I2SL – is VP of the NC Triangle Chapter and sits on committees for the St Louis Chapter and Greater LA Chapter. She is also very active in SLCan, where Dawn Chairs the Communications Committee and is Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee. She also sits on the Board of Directors. Dawn is a My Green Lab Ambassador and has deep-rooted beliefs in sustainable manufacturing; in addition, she is continually looking for ways to enable a reduction in carbon footprint.
Alison Farmer is President of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) and Program Director of its Labs2Zero initiative, leading efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs in laboratory buildings worldwide. A former research astrophysicist, Alison has worked in both consulting and lab-owner roles, specializing in HVAC controls, energy analysis, and building performance benchmarking for complex facilities. Since 2018, she has led the design and delivery of I2SL's building performance software, directing teams of contractors and expert volunteers from I2SL's network to develop specialized tools for lab facilities. A frequent speaker on lab efficiency, Alison is committed to advancing professional education in the industry and launched I2SL's first professional accreditation in 2026. She was a founding board member of two I2SL chapters, served as President of the Northern California chapter, and later held the roles of Board Secretary and Vice President of I2SL. Before shifting her focus to the built environment, Alison worked as an academic scientist, earning undergraduate degrees from the University of Cambridge in England and a PhD from Caltech, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. She is based in Berkeley, California.
Architect since 1998, Miguel Antunes Pinto started to dedicate his career to specialized projects since 2003 and became a full-time laboratory designer by experience since then, never losing the focus of this specific area of Architecture, also called Lab Planning. Responsible, since 2003, for more than 80 specialized projects in scientific buildings, from laboratories, pharmaceutical production units, animal facilities and healthcare. Specialized by the Harvard School of Public Health in Laboratory Design, Health and Safety, and others, such as Cleanroom Planning, Construction, Maintenance and Operation, by Cleanzone. President elected of EGNATON in 2025 - European Association for Sustainable Laboratories, with participation in Knowledge Hub #2 Lab Planners and Knowledge Hub #10 BIM IFC4LAB, which includes laboratory designers, architects, engineers. National and international speaker at pharmaceutical and laboratory events, such as the "International Lab Design Conference", "Achema Conference", "Future Labs Swiss” and "Lab Talks". Annual participation in exhibitions and other events on these specialized markets, always in a constant search for knowledge and training.
What Our Members Say
Ivana Miljanic, Project Manager, Facilities Planning & Development, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Over the years SLCan events and webinars were my happy place. The community provided me with knowledge, ensured my technical growth and networking hub, during facility tours, are always fun and engaging.
It was, and still is my lab/ research sanctuary, where sustainability ideas become reality.