At Scispot, we are committed to empowering organizations that drive scientific research and sustainability. One such organization is the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), based at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. TURI helps manufacturers reduce hazardous chemical use, improve sustainability, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

In this interview, Adrien Takada, Customer Success Manager at Scispot, sat down with Alicia McCarthy, Laboratory Specialist at TURI, to discuss the organization’s mission, the role of students in research, challenges with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), and how Scispot has helped streamline their laboratory management and compliance efforts.

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Q: Could you tell us about TURI and your role there?

Alicia McCarthy:

"TURI is one of three organizations under the Toxics Use Reduction Act of Massachusetts, passed in 1989. Our primary focus is research and training. We offer free laboratory services and sustainability resources to businesses using regulated chemicals, aiming to enhance safety while ensuring compliance."

TURI collaborates with the Department of Environmental Protection (which oversees regulatory compliance) and the Office of Technical Assistance (which provides hands-on, non-disclosure support to businesses). A unique aspect of TURI’s mission is that companies using chemicals regulated under the TURA program pay fees, which are then used to provide free lab services and sustainability resources.

"It's been a wonderful program that has been growing, and we've been making a difference here in Massachusetts."

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Q: What inspired you to join TURI?

Alicia McCarthy:

"I began as a student volunteer at TURI, given its location at UMass Lowell. We engage both undergraduate and graduate students in applying toxic use reduction to their future industries. Initially, I assessed sanitizers and disinfectants, leading me into microbial research. I pursued my master’s degree here because I cherished the blend of lab work, community outreach, and public health."

Alicia’s passion stems from working with a diverse range of industries, from aerospace companies and instrument manufacturers to community organizations like the Brazilian Women's Group, which supports safer chemical practices for immigrant professional cleaners.

"For me, it marries my love of lab work with community outreach and public health."

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Q: Is TURI conducting research related to PFAs?

Alicia McCarthy:

"Yes, PFAs are a strategic priority for us. We're currently researching their presence in food containers and exploring bio-based alternatives. A few years ago, solutions were scarce, but now more companies are innovating in this space."

TURI is also researching halogenated solvents and flame retardants, which share similar physiochemical properties with PFAs and are used in applications like waterproofing and fire resistance.

One of the promising developments Alicia highlighted:

"There was one company called Unsmudgeable, working on a bio-based coating for glasses to replace PFAs. It disperses oils without needing harmful chemicals. These innovations give me hope that we’re heading in the right direction."

She also noted that PFAs are even present in unexpected places, like contact lenses, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and alternatives.

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Q: How has Scispot benefited TURI’s operations?

Alicia McCarthy:

"Previously, our record-keeping was manual, using paper notebooks alongside our database, Cleanersolutions.org. While we'll continue using that database, we lacked data security and an efficient method for compliance checks. We're aiming for ISO 17025 accreditation and needed software that could support and grow with us."

"We really lacked data security with paper notebooks, and we weren’t getting proper checks and balances."

With students playing a key role in research, Scispot has also simplified onboarding, allowing students to track and showcase their work even after graduation.

"I see Scispot as an opportunity for students to showcase their work over time. Even after graduation, they can access reports and documentation without compromising data security."

Another major advantage? Quality control (QC) and compliance tracking. Scispot has helped TURI reduce manual errors, enforce standardization, and streamline laboratory processes for more reliable results.

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Q: Has Scispot made research more accessible at TURI?

Alicia McCarthy:

"Absolutely. A digital platform eliminates issues like illegible handwriting or the physical strain of writing protocols. It helps level the playing field for students with disabilities and ensures equity in the lab."

"It makes more sense to use this type of platform that evens the playing field and gives students more confidence in their work."

She also emphasized how Scispot enhances accessibility for students with different learning styles, ensuring data is clear, structured, and free from interpretation errors.

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Q: Do you have advice for new Scispot users?

Alicia McCarthy:

"Implementing a new system is challenging, especially transitioning from paper-based processes. My advice: be patient and lean on Scispot’s support team. They've been incredibly supportive. Don't hesitate to discuss challenges with them. Changing a full system is significant, but once settled, the benefits become evident."

"Your group is so supportive. Lean in and don’t be afraid to talk to the Scispot team about challenges. Changing a full system is a lot, but once you settle in, you start seeing the benefits."

She shared how TURI is already benefiting from Scispot’s inventory tracking capabilities, integrating a scanner and printer to improve resource tracking and efficiency.

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Q: What are your future aspirations with Scispot?

Alicia McCarthy:

"I envision Scispot helping us streamline student onboarding, track equipment usage, and measure our overall impact. We aim to quantify how many companies we've assisted in reducing hazardous chemicals. Scispot's flexibility allows it to grow with us while providing the structure to keep us productive."

Alicia is particularly excited about potential Scispot integrations with Cleanersolutions.org, which would eliminate redundant report generation and further enhance lab efficiency.

She also sees automation, better lab transparency, and improved data visualization as key benefits moving forward:

"I love the charts and metrics generation in Scispot—it makes it easier to report trends and justify new investments, like purchasing new equipment."

Additionally, she’s exploring how Scispot could be used to track the impact of TURI’s work—quantifying the number of businesses adopting safer chemical practices and reducing hazardous material use.

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Q: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?

Alicia McCarthy:

"The Scispot team has been wonderful. It's refreshing to work with a team genuinely passionate about their work. It's not just a sales pitch—I can tell you truly enjoy working at Scispot. It makes it more pleasurable to collaborate with people who care about what they're doing."

She’s also looking forward to collaborating with UMass Lowell’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team, sharing best practices for better transparency in research data management.

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Conclusion

Our conversation with Alicia McCarthy highlights the incredible work being done at TURI and how Scispot is helping drive efficiency, compliance, and accessibility in their research. We’re proud to support organizations like TURI as they continue their mission of making science more sustainable and impactful.

If you’re looking for a flexible, scalable lab management system, reach out to us at Scispot.

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Watch the Full Interview

Want to hear the full conversation? Watch the complete interview with Alicia McCarthy from Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) as she shares insights into their mission, the role of students in research, and how Scispot is transforming their lab operations.

📺 Check out the video below:

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Stay tuned for more stories from labs and research teams using Scispot to streamline their work and drive scientific progress!

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