UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Diann Stedman recently joined Penn State as the University’s research and laboratory safety manager, a position in the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

“Our EHS team is excited to have Diann lead our research and laboratory safety division,” said Jim Crandall, director of environmental health and safety. “Diann’s experience as a researcher and laboratory manager while at Yale University as well as her leadership experience supporting research safety at George Mason have ideally positioned her for our new leadership role at Penn State.”

Stedman’s position, which was developed in coordination with the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, is vital to support and advance EHS programs and services with the University’s robust research community. Stedman will oversee the research and laboratory safety division, which includes laboratory, chemical, and biological safety programs. Additionally, she will conduct compliance and risk assessments and forge partnerships with University researchers.

“Research and lab safety are an imperative for any top research university. We are excited to have Diann join us in this important position. Her exceptional experience will help ensure that we remain a top research university,” said Lora Weiss, senior vice president for Research.

Prior to joining Penn State, Stedman worked as a biosafety consultant and owner at Stedman Safety Consultants, as well as various roles at George Mason University, including the assistant director of laboratory safety. Prior to her work at George Mason University, Stedman worked in the research field at Yale University.

At George Mason University, Stedman supervised safety and regulatory compliance programs for over 400 research and instructional laboratories on three university campuses in Northern Virginia. She also led university-wide programs for biosafety, chemical safety, radiation safety, and physical hazards for 15 years.

Stedman received her master of science in microbiology and immunology from the Virginia Commonwealth University, and her bachelor of science in biology from the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown.