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
400+
people reached through cooking demonstrations
3,000+
cookbook cards distributed
500+
people reached through Environmental Determinants
of Cancer program
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
Ashini Modi
President, EDC Co-Director
Class of 2026
Hi! My name Ashini and I am a senior in Eliot house studying Chemical and Physical Biology & Astrophysics. I am especially interested in how exposures—like pollution, diet, and radiation—contribute to cancer risk, and how education and policy can drive upstream, preventative solutions. Through research, I investigate questions of genomic stability and DNA damage. Outside of academics I love swimming, baking vegan cakes, and playing the violin!
Blythe Wieclawek
Vice-President
Class of 2027
I am very interested in the intersection between environment and health, specifically how climate change will create new health challenges. I am also passionate about empowering individuals to help themselves and their communities by raising awareness of environmental determinants of health!
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Raul Ontiveros
Secretary, EDC Co-Director
Class of 2027
My name is Raul, and I am a rising senior in Pforzheimer House. Day-to-day, I am actively engaged in my studies through a concentration in Neuroscience and Global Health and Health Policy. Beyond these responsibilities, I explore my two passions: expanding access to healthcare and advancing environmental sustainability within underserved communities. I joined HUGMI during my freshman year and am excited to continue contributing to and upholding our mission!
Manya Gupta
CHOP Director
Class of 2028
My name is Manya, and I am a rising junior studying Economics and Molecular & Cellular Biology. I’m super excited to be one of the CHOP Directors this year! I was first introduced to green medicine during an internship in high school. I had always loved sustainability and the environment, and during that internship, I realized how deeply they’re connected to medicine. When I first joined HUGMI, I saw an opportunity to further explore this interest. Now, I’m looking forward to focusing on nutrition and healthy eating, as well as all the other amazing initiatives HUGMI does!
Alice Chen
Green Labs Co-director
Class of 2026
My name is Alice and I’m a senior in Eliot studying Chemical & Physical Biology. After taking several lab-based courses, I became increasingly aware of the significant waste generated in teaching and research labs, particularly from single-use plastics. Through HUGMI, I hope that we can find sustainable alternatives to make research and teaching more environmentally responsible, making labs healthier for people and our planet!
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
