Our Team

Baskut Tuncak

Director [email protected] +19789343221
Director

Baskut Tuncak is the director of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) where he leads the organization’s efforts to advance safer and healthier environments and workplaces. He is a Research Professor in the Department of Public Health of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences at UMass Lowell. From 2014-2020, he served as the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxics, working closely with states, businesses, and international organizations to promote environmental and occupational rights. He continues to advise various organizations on the intersection of human rights, the environment and working conditions. He has advised the International Labour Organization on the recognition of the safe and healthy work as one of the organizations Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. He has advised UNICEF and other organizations on the intersection of child rights and the environment and served on advisory committees of UNEP and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

Research Interests
  • Pollution prevention
  • Innovation and safer chemicals
  • Human rights and toxic exposures
  • International environmental law and policy
Education
  • JD (with honors), Seattle University School of Law
  • BA (chemistry-biochemistry, with honors), Colby College
Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Liz Harriman

Deputy Director [email protected] +19789343387
Deputy Director

As Deputy Director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell, Liz Harriman is responsible for managing the operations and technical functions of the Institute, as well as working with the other TURA agencies to set direction for the program. In her more than 20 years of working at the Institute, she has provided technical research and support services to Massachusetts companies with the goal of identifying safer alternatives to toxic chemicals used in manufacturing and products. Recent technical work includes prioritization and hazard evaluation of chemicals, chemical alternatives assessment and flame retardants. Ms. Harriman is a registered Professional Engineer and holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Cornell University in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Hazardous Materials Management from Tufts University.

Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Stephan Anstey

Office Assistant [email protected] +19789344505
Office Assistant

Longtime Lowell resident Stephan Anstey arrives at TURI with 4 decades of work experience in a vast array of businesses including federal and state government, for-profit corporations, non-profit organizations and his self-owned art studio. Stephan has worked in fields ranging from landscaping, construction, foodservice, tech-writing, web and database development, poetry, painting, sketching, publishing, National Park rangering, IT, shipping, receiving, purchasing, retail management, customer service and newspapers.

Address

The Offices at Boott Mills West

126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd Floor)

Lowell, MA 01852

Stacie Caldwell

Stacie Caldwell

Administrative Manager [email protected] +19789344511
Stacie Caldwell
Administrative Manager

Stacie Caldwell is TURI’s Administrative Manager. She oversees the administrative and events personnel, manages budget and financial processes, handles IT and facilities issues, assists with grant applications and grant funds management, aids with report production, and steps in wherever else she is needed. Stacie has over 30 years of office experience in both the private and public sectors. She holds a B.A. in English from UCLA and a graduate certificate in editing from the University of Washington.

Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Agnes Cheng

Training Associate [email protected] +19789343275
Training Associate

Agnes is a Training Associate, where she primarily works on enhancing our training program. However, you may also spot her in the disinfection laboratory or assisting with research for different TURI projects. Agnes is passionate about finding solutions to toxic chemicals and is dedicated to creating a healthier environment for everyone. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Cell & Molecular Biology from Brown University.

Katie Daly

Communications & Outreach Manager [email protected] +19789343378
Communications & Outreach Manager

Katie Daly-Shea is the Communications and Outreach Manager at the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell. She is a Lowell native and has been a communications professional for more than 15 years. Katie develops and executes communications plans for TURI that support and enhance media relations, public relations, social media platforms, events, and outreach.

As a former broadcast news reporter, she is a skilled content creator and storyteller who delivers clear and impactful messages. She has a proven track record of crafting high quality multimedia content and maximizing outreach.

Katie received her bachelor’s degree in communications and sociology from Boston College and went on to earn a master’s degree in multimedia journalism from Emerson College.

She is thrilled to be promoting the important work being done at TURI that is making a big global impact.

Address

Offices at Boott Mills West

126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd Floor)

Lowell, MA 01852

Pam Eliason

Senior Associate Director- Training Manager [email protected] +19789343142
Senior Associate Director- Training Manager

Pam Eliason is the Training Manager and Senior Associate Director at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell. Pam is excited to bring information about toxics use reduction planning, innovative technologies and the science of safer chemicals and practices to businesses, agencies and community groups in Massachusetts and beyond. She leads TURI’s training program, which provides certification training and continuous education opportunities for TUR and safer alternatives practitioners. She was an invited instructor of the University of Washington’s Green Chemistry and Chemical Stewardship Certificate Program, teaching about Assessment Tools for Safer Chemical Decisions.

Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Colin Hannahan

Policy Analyst [email protected]
Policy Analyst

Colin Hannahan is a policy analyst at the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). He is responsible for coordinating all policy work at the institute. This includes the implementation of the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) along with analysis of state, federal and international initiatives on chemicals. As a former green and sustainable chemistry specialist at the UN Environment Programme, Colin worked with a wide range of stakeholders to reduce the use of toxics around the world. Colin also previously supported TURI on their work to advance environmental justice in Massachusetts, he will continue to focus on this important topic in his new role.

Originally from Pelham, MA, Colin holds his Bachelors in Science from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and a Masters in Sustainable Chemistry from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia in Spain.

Hayley Hudson

Hayley Hudson

Science/EHS Support Specialist [email protected] +19789344365
Hayley Hudson
Science/EHS Support Specialist

As the Science/EHS Support Specialist, Hayley Hudson assists the TURA Program Manager and Science Advisory Board Manager in TURA chemical list projects and the gathering of chemical information including toxicity, health, and environmental information in support of the TURA Science Advisory Board. In addition, she supports TURI staff by gathering and summarizing environmental health and safety information for research, industry and community toxic use reduction projects and alternative assessments. Hayley earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health and a Master’s of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Address

126 John Street
The Offices at Boott Mills West
Suite 14, Second Floor
Lowell, Massachusetts 01852

Jason Marshall

Laboratory Director [email protected] +19789343133
Laboratory Director

In his role as the Institute’s Laboratory Director at UMass Lowell, Jason Marshall directs the services of the lab, helping companies, communities and citizens evaluate the performance of cleaning chemistries and equipment. Recent projects include:the promotion of safer ingredients in cleaning products resulting in recognition from EPA’s Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative at the Champion Level; established a Do-It-Yourself cleaning recipe evaluations program to conduct performance testing of these DIY recipes for basic household cleaners; evaluation of biobased products for several janitorial applications in a hospital setting; effort to promote the adoption of alternatives to trichloroethylene for business in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Dr. Marshall has a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering, Master’s of Science in Environmental Studies and a Doctorate of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

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Publications

Jason P. Marshall (2011), “Hands-on Assistance Improves Pollution Prevention Services of TURI’s Lab” Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 19, Issue 5, Pages 424-428. Available at: http://www.turi.org/content/view/full/7550

Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Alicia McCarthy

Laboratory Specialist [email protected] +19789343889
Laboratory Specialist

As the TURI Cleaning Laboratory Specialist at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell, Alicia McCarthy works with Massachusetts manufacturers, companies, organizations, and formulators to test safer cleaning and disinfection solutions and devices in the lab. She also provides and has experience training technical assistance organizations about on-site assistance with toxics use reduction identification and implementation. She manages UMass Lowell undergraduate and graduate student employees in the lab; mentoring them on how to apply toxics use reduction within their own department and field while gaining valuable laboratory experience and skills. She won the Most Valuable Student Pollution Prevention Award in 2016. Alicia earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Health and Master’s of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She obtained a second Master’s of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology at the University of New Hampshire.

Highlighted Projects
  • Evaluation of safer disinfectants and disinfecting devices using a surrogate virus, MS 2 bacteriophage, for COVID-19 inactivation (2020-present)
  • Minnesota Technical Assistance Program TCE Alternatives Project – Developing training tools, 4 hour training workshop, and identification and testing of alternatives for companies in Minnesota to reduce and eliminate TCE (2019-2021)
  • Phase I EPA P3 research on alternatives for dichloromethane in paint stripping applications – P2OASys evaluation and research (2016-2017)

Address
Toxics Use Reduction Institute
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Greg Morose

Research Manager [email protected] +19789342954
Research Manager

Greg Morose is a Research Manager for the Toxics Use Reduction Institute and a Research Professor for the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Greg leads research efforts to identify and evaluate solutions to the use of toxic chemicals used in various industries including heavy metals and solvents. Greg teaches a graduate engineering course that covers toxics use reduction and life cycle assessment concepts.  Greg has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Studies, a Master’s of Business Administration degree, and a Doctoral degree in Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention. Greg is also an ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Selected Publications

Gregory Morose, David Pinsky, Chandler Humphrey, Kent DeFranco (2022), “Evaluation of Conversion Coatings Without Hexavalent Chromium for Aerospace and Defense Applications.” Journal of Aerospace and Technology.

Melissa Nallar, Nicholas Tenaglia, Gregory Morose, Hsi-Wu Wong (2021), “Safer Solvent Blends for Food, Dye, and Environmental Analyses Using Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography,” Chromatographia Journal.

Taofemg Lu, Gregory Reimonn, Gregory Morose, Evan Yu, Wan-Ting Chen (2021), “Removing Conformal Coating with Safer Solvents for Re-Manufacturing Electronics,” Polymers Journal.

Catherine P. Barry, Gregory J. Morose, Keith Begin, Michael Atwater, Christopher J. Hansen (2017), “The Identification and screening of lower toxicity solvents for contact adhesives” International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives

Gregory Morose, Sammy Shina, and Robert Farrell (2011), “Supply Chain Collaboration to Achieve Toxics Use Reduction” Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 19, Issue 5, Pages 397-407.

Gregory Morose (2009), “The 5 Principles of Design for Safer Nanotechnology” Journal of Cleaner Production. 

Gregory Morose, Sammy Shina, Robert Farrell, Michael Ellenbecker, Rafael Moure-Eraso (2009), “Evaluation of Lead-free Solders, Halogen-free Laminates, and Nanomaterial Surface Finishes for Assembly of Printed Circuit Boards for High Reliability Applications” Journal of Surface Mount Technology

Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Gabriel Salierno

Green Chemist [email protected] +15715441468
Green Chemist

Gabriel Salierno joins TURI as a its first green chemistry researcher. Gabriel has a doctorate in Industrial Chemistry and is passionate about applying green chemistry and engineering principles in real world applications. His experience includes research in the green energy field, expertise in heterogeous catalysis, and lecturing and conducting green chemistry research in several global universities. You can learn more about Gabriel on his LinkedIn.

Alex Symko

Safer Chemicals Specialist [email protected] +19789344143
Safer Chemicals Specialist

As a Safer Chemicals Specialist, Alex works both within and outside TURI’s laboratory facilities. He primarily focuses on Industrial and Janitorial testing when inside the laboratory, and outside the laboratory assists in the development and improvement of TURI’s Toxics Use Reduction Planning Course. Alex holds a Bachelors of Science in Public Health with a Clinical Sciences concentration, as well as a minor in Nuclear Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Heather Tenney

TURA Program Manager [email protected] +19789343260
TURA Program Manager

As Research Associate and the Institute’s TURA Program Manager, Heather Tenney leads projects focused on implementation and policy analysis of the Toxics Use Reduction Act. She analyzes the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) data, which is reported yearly by Massachusetts companies to determine state-wide progress. With Dr. Ellenbecker, she manages and provides research support for the activities of the Science Advisory Board. Heather is a certified Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Planner. Prior to TURI, she worked at the TURA Program’s Office of Technical Assistance after working for several years in industry. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Tufts University.

Address

Toxics Use Reduction Institute
The Offices at Boott Mills West
126 John Street, Suite 14 (2nd floor)
Lowell, MA 01852

Karen Thomas

Karen Thomas

Environmental, Health and Safety Support Specialist [email protected] +19789344518
Karen Thomas
Environmental, Health and Safety Support Specialist

Karen brings 20 years of experience from a mix of industry, government, and non-profit settings, including 6 years at TURI in the mid-1990s. A chemist and environmental engineer by training, she has worked on assessing EHS implications, implementing safer alternatives, conducting public education, and removing toxics from automobile recycling. Karen collects and reviews information on flame retardants and their analogs relative to an Act to Protect Children, Families, and Firefighters from Harmful Flame Retardants.

Address

126 John St, Suite 14

Lowell, Massachusetts 01852

Amelia Wagner

Safer Chemicals Specialist [email protected] +19789344144
Safer Chemicals Specialist

Amelia is a Safer Chemicals Specialist with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute. She provides lab testing for industrial and janitorial applications and assists with policy analyses and chemical hazard assessments. Amelia holds a Bachelors of Science in Public Health with a Health Sciences Concentration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Our Students

TURI helps to train the next generation of leaders in the effort to reduce the use of toxics.  Undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines help TURI conduct research into safer alternatives to toxics.  Our students have gone found exciting careers in public health, pollution prevention and sustainability. Help companies reduce their environmental impact and gain experience for your future career by working at TURI. For more information, contact us

Adojoa Adjepong

Lab Assistant [email protected]
Lab Assistant

Adojoa Adjepong is a student at UML and a Lab Assistant at TURI.

Nasser Anise

Lab Assistant [email protected]
Lab Assistant

Nasser Anise is a student at UML and a Lab Assistant at TURI

Cindy McLaughlin

Cindy McLaughlin

Lab Assistant [email protected]
Cindy McLaughlin
Lab Assistant

Cindy McLaughlin is a student at UML and a Research Assistant at TURI.

Tatyanna Moreland Jr

Tatyanna Moreland Jr

Research Assistant [email protected]
Tatyanna Moreland Jr
Research Assistant

Tatyanna Moreland Jr is a student at UML and a Lab Assistant at TURI.

Rachael Rososky

Lab Assistant [email protected]
Lab Assistant

Rachael Rososky is a student at UML and a Lab Assistant at TURI.