Meet Beyond Benign’s newest team member, Dr. Monica Nyansa! We are proud to welcome Monica to our team as the Content Manager of Beyond Benign’s Higher Education programming.
After graduating from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana with a background in pharmaceutical chemistry, Monica attended the American Chemical Society (ACS) Green Chemistry Summer School, where she developed a passion for sustainability in chemistry.
Monica has since become an active leader in promoting green chemistry education for students and educators. Within the Beyond Benign team, Monica is responsible for leading the design and development of professional development courses that equip educators with the tools and resources they need to teach green chemistry effectively and inspire the next generation of chemists to make positive contributions to society and the environment.
In this conversation, Monica shares her journey to green chemistry journey, her background in pharmaceutical chemistry, her hopes for the future of green chemistry, and the role she sees Beyond Benign playing in advancing the field and promoting a sustainable future for all.
Can you tell us about your journey into the fields of science and green chemistry? What is your educational background, and what organizations have you been associated with?
My journey into science began with earning a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. Following this, I worked as a pharmacist while pursuing a graduate degree in pharmaceutical chemistry. I became fascinated with molecule design and synthesis, leading me to further my studies with a PhD in Chemistry at Michigan Technological University.
However, my interest in green chemistry was piqued during my PhD program, particularly after attending the ACS Green Chemistry Summer School. This experience sparked my passion for sustainable practices in chemistry. Throughout my doctoral studies, I explored ways to integrate green chemistry principles into my research.
Additionally, I became involved with the ACS Chemical Health and Safety Division, participating in student-led lab safety workshops and interning with the ACS Office of Safety Programs in the summer of 2023. These experiences deepened my understanding of lab safety practices and reinforced my commitment to promoting safer chemistry within the scientific community.
How does your background in pharmaceutical chemistry influence your interest in green chemistry and chemistry education?
During my master’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry, my research focused on developing a method for simultaneously determining an over-the-counter combination drug. I noticed that many existing methods in the literature relied on hazardous organic polar solvents and had lengthy run times. Motivated to find a safer and more efficient solution, I aimed to develop a method that used less hazardous chemicals and could complete the analysis in a shorter time frame, ideally around five minutes. This approach was important to me as it reduced exposure to harmful chemicals and minimized resource usage.
While I wasn’t yet familiar with the formal principles of green chemistry at that time, the concept of reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and using fewer resources resonated deeply with me. This mindset stayed with me, and when I later learned about green chemistry principles during my PhD studies, I was pleased to see it integrated into the curriculum at Michigan Tech, a Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) signer. Having explicit instruction in green chemistry ensures that future chemists are equipped with the knowledge and tools to make positive and relevant contributions to society while prioritizing safety and sustainability in their work.
Can you discuss your experiences in green chemistry education? How do you expect this to influence your work at Beyond Benign?
As far as I can recall, explicit instruction on green chemistry was not part of my undergraduate experience. We frequently handled corrosives and flammables, such as organic solvents, in laboratory coursework, sometimes on open benchtops. Exposure to green chemistry during my graduate education has taught me the importance of sustainability in chemistry. Learning about green chemistry principles, such as minimizing waste and using safer chemicals, has prepared me to promote environmentally friendly practices, especially during my research work.
One thing that I found important in my education was access to resources to learn more about safe and green chemistry and its application. Since explicit instruction of green chemistry applications in the curriculum is critical for educating the next generation of students, this process begins with educators feeling able and confident in teaching green chemistry.
At Beyond Benign, I expect to use this knowledge to develop educational materials that inspire educators to embrace green chemistry, presented in manageable chunks to facilitate incorporation into their existing chemistry curriculum. By providing resources for faculty training in green chemistry concepts and applications and making them accessible, I hope to empower educators to make positive changes in their teaching methods to better prepare students.
As Beyond Benign’s Content Manager, what projects are you currently working on? How do you envision these projects impacting educators and students?
As the content manager, I am working on some exciting projects, mainly aimed at enhancing green chemistry education for students and educators alike. One project involves creating educational content for the professional development of faculty in green chemistry and toxicology concepts. These projects entail working with faculty, usually from institutions that have signed the Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC), to design and develop on-demand training courses. These courses aim to empower educators with the knowledge and skills to confidently incorporate green chemistry into their teaching methods, ultimately enhancing the quality of education for students. (The first step of this project is to gather feedback from the community — we encourage all higher education faculty to fill out our survey so we can hear what their professional education needs are!)
Another ongoing project is a module on how to use the chemical hazard database, ChemForward, for teaching students about hazards and hazard assessment, and finding safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals as a way of ending toxic chemical exposure and promoting safer chemicals.
Overall, I envision these projects making a significant impact on educators and students by fostering a greater understanding of green chemistry principles and promoting sustainable practices in the field of chemistry. By equipping educators with the tools and resources they need to teach green chemistry effectively, we can inspire the next generation of chemists to make positive contributions to society and the environment.
Beyond Benign has a number of opportunities for the education community to get involved in the movement to advance green chemistry education. From your perspective, what are the advantages of peer support and peer-assisted learning?
Peer support and peer-assisted learning are key to advancing green chemistry in education. In a community of practice like the green chemistry community, educators exchange ideas and share experiences, fostering collaboration and innovation in teaching strategies. Each person brings a certain level of expertise and experience to the table, and that is what makes peer support very critical in a community of practice. Knowing that someone is doing what you are also doing or trying to do helps to lower the risks of isolation.
Peer-assisted learning, on the other hand, encourages active engagement and participation, enabling educators to learn from each other and improve their teaching methods. This sense of community enhances motivation and satisfaction in the learning process.
To further support this community, in 2023, Beyond Benign launched the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), an online platform for the community and by the community to provide a space for learning, connecting, and sharing within the green chemistry community. This platform is critical to advancing the rapidly growing green chemistry teaching and learning community as more institutions start incorporating green chemistry into their curriculum.
What are your hopes for the future of green chemistry in academia and industry?
I envision a future where green chemistry principles are integrated seamlessly into teaching, research, development, and manufacturing processes, leading to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable products and processes.
In academia, I envision a future where green chemistry education and research are prioritized. This entails integrating green chemistry principles directly into chemistry curricula, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and offering robust support for green chemistry initiatives and projects. I foresee the next generation of scientists and engineers being equipped with a solid foundation in chemistry viewed through the lens of green chemistry. They will be well-prepared to assume pivotal roles in driving innovation and promoting sustainability across diverse industries and academic disciplines.
In industry, my hope is for the widespread adoption of green chemistry practices and technologies. This entails not only reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes and products but also promoting resource efficiency and the use of renewable feedstocks. I hope industries prioritize chemistry that is safe, green, and protects the environment and the climate. By prioritizing these, companies can not only enhance their competitiveness but also contribute positively to society and the planet.
How do you believe organizations like Beyond Benign can contribute to realizing these goals?
Organizations like Beyond Benign play a crucial role in realizing these goals by acting as catalysts for change and facilitating collaboration between academia, industry, and other stakeholders. Beyond Benign provides valuable resources, training programs, and educational materials to support the adoption and implementation of green chemistry principles. Beyond Benign empowers individuals and organizations to embrace sustainable practices and drive positive environmental outcomes by raising awareness, building capacity, and fostering partnerships. Overall, organizations like Beyond Benign can make a significant contribution to advancing the field of green chemistry and promoting a more sustainable future for all.
What advice or insights would you share with educators and students interested in incorporating green chemistry principles into their teaching and research practices?
For educators, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Thanks to organizations such as Beyond Benign and the GCTLC platform, there are resources and peer support available. There are numerous ways to incorporate green chemistry into your existing courses, ranging from explicit instruction on green chemistry principles in chemical processes to offering standalone courses dedicated to green chemistry principles and applications. Support is readily available for integrating these concepts, along with assessment materials. Come to one of our Green Chemistry Connections sessions to learn more and connect with your peers. Additionally, support your students who are interested in delving deeper into green chemistry applications. Connect them with resources and champion their education.
For students, seek out peers who share your interests and consider forming a group. Many student-led initiatives in green chemistry, like the University of Toronto Green Chemistry Initiative Team, provide opportunities for involvement.
Maintain your curiosity and passion for learning!
How you can get involved:
- Keep up with Monica and her work by connecting with her in the GCTLC!
- Higher Education Faculty: Help shape the future of professional training in green chemistry and toxicology! Your insights in this 15-minute higher-ed survey will pave the way for tailored educational initiatives in the field. Your feedback makes a big difference.
- K-12 Educators: Treat yourself to personal and professional growth this summer! We’re offering three outstanding professional development courses for K-12 educators taught by Beyond Benign Lead Teachers.