Harvard Undergraduate Green Medicine Initiative (HUGMI) is a student-run initiative working at the intersection of environmental responsibility and human health to create a more sustainable and equitable future for medicine.
80-90%
of cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors
250,000
estimated deaths each year due to climate change between 2030 and 2050
5.5 million
tons of plastic waste generated by academic labs each year, which amounts to 1.8% of plastic waste produced worldwide
Our Impact
Current Projects
Cooking Healthy options for Patients (CHOP)
Cooking Health Options for Patients (CHOP) empowers families to explore food as a form of healthcare. We conduct cooking demonstrations at farmers markets, health fairs, and clinic waiting rooms. We have also published an accessible, health-focused, plant-based cookbook available in WiC, CHA, and BMC locations throughout Massachusetts.
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Environmental Determinants of Cancer (EDC)
We educate communities about environmental cancer risks through our developed brochures and interactive workshops on air and water pollution, food contaminants, and radiation exposure. Our outreach includes distributing free resources like sunscreen, water filters, and radon testing kits to support prevention and health equity.
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Green Labs
Promoting a greener future for research begins with educating students on sustainable lab practices. We are developing partnerships with several undergraduate teaching labs to make edits to the lab manual procedures a in an effort to reduce chemical and plastic waste and student educational initiatives on green lab practices. We have added Green Labs pipette tip box recycling bins to the science center teaching lab spaces and helped re-open the ReUse room.
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Past Projects
Medical Supplies Donation to Brigham Women's Hospital
From syringes to patient gowns, electrodes, gloves, tourniquets, and catheter systems, we have recovered over 1800 items from our partner hospitals.
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Medical Equipment Donation to Massachusetts General Hospital
In addition to consumable supplies, we have recovered several blood pressure cuffs and three full-size x-ray viewers.
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Lab Coat Reuse at Office for Animal Resources
We have partnered with the Harvard Office for Animal Resources to start washing polypropylene lab coats instead of incinerating them.
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Meet the Executive Board
Meet the Associates
Cate Cupps
CHOP Associate
Class of 2028
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Estella Leblanc
EDC Associate
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Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology
Class of 2028
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My interest in green medicine developed long before I started here at Harvard. I grew up in a low-income family, and my parent’s emphasis on reducing waste in the home sparked a decade long interest in climate action. Caring for my siblings while my parents worked, I also developed an adoration for medicine. When I discovered the Harvard Green Medicine Initiative, these passions merged seamlessly. I am so excited to work towards a cleaner, greener, and healthier future with my peers.
Jacob Friedman
EDC Associate
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Human Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Biology
Class of 2028
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I’ve been interested in the intersection of biology and climate for a few years now, doing lots of grassroots work alongside biochemistry research! Upon entering college, I realized that green medicine translates both natural principles and community knowledge to health advocacy. This summer I am doing enviro health research in China and also work in the Moazed Lab at HMS during the year — so thrilled to be part of HUGMI!
Nic Long
CHOP Associate
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History of Science, Global Health & Health Policy​
Class of 2026
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I’m so excited to be a part of HUGMI this year as a CHOP Associate! I’m especially passionate about making plant-based eating more accessible and helping guide patients through sustainable, healthy eating habits that actually feel doable.
Simran Tamang ​
EDC Associate​​
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Bio-Engineering
Class of 2028
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I’m deeply interested in and passionate about medicine and public health which motivated me to look into green medicine. I appreciate HUGMI because it allows me to combine my interests in medicine and the environment while being able to explore my curiosity about many different topics regarding the two fields.
Jetzabel (Jet) Rivera-Lopez
CHOP Associate
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Molecular & Cellular Biology, Educational Studies
Class of 2028
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Prevention is an important part of medicine and health. Taking care of the environment can help take care of our communities and prevent disease. My interest in Green Medicine stems from my passion in preventative medicine and reducing health disparities.
Sajid Fahmid
CHOP Associate
Neuroscience
Class of 2028
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I’m passionate about making healthy food accessible to diverse patient populations by advocating for a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. I hope to help people lead healthier lifestyles through mindful diet choices and to explore how food systems can support green medicine initiatives.
Audric Audonteng
EDC Associate
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Chemistry, Neuroscience​
Class of 2028
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My interest in green medicine stems from understanding how disruptions on an environmental scale can cause molecular misfirings in our bodies, and the detrimental cascading process. I’m interested in teaching people small ways to stay informed about these environmental disruptions and help people actively contribute to their health by being conscious of the world around them.
Advisors
Sirinya Matchacheep
Director of Instructional Laboratories, Harvard University
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Clark Magnan
Manager of Biology teaching labs, Harvard University
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Brad Parsons
Lab Safety Advisor, Harvard University
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Courtney Forrestor
Waste Reduction and Compliance Lead, Harvard University
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Dailey Brannin
Recycling Services Supervisor, Harvard University
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Carla Sodeyama
Director, WiC Cambridge/Somerville
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Kinnari Chitalia
Senior Nutritionist, WiC Cambridge/Somerville
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Roberta Turri-Vise
Deputy Chief Community Officer, Cambridge Health Alliance
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Crystal Johnson
Assistant Secretary of Environmental Justice, Massachusetts Executive Office
of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Community Partners
