Research & Discovery University News

March 5, 2021 | Mike Enright '88 (CLAS), University Communications

Returning the Favor: UConn Researchers Presented With PPE Supply

UConn researchers who donated personal protective equipment for emergency use early in the pandemic had the favor returned this week.

a group of people

Front Row (L-R): Director of the Office of Emergency Management William Shea, Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Regulatory Affairs (UConn and UConn Health) Wesley Byerly. Back Row (L-R): Emergency Management Program Specialist Nicole Hawley, Emergency Management Program Specialist Mary Rose Duberek, Associate Vice President for Research Michelle Williams, Associate Director of Supply Chain Management Amy Allen, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Terri Dominguez.

When UConn Health started treating patients with COVID-19 in early March 2020, the race was on to get as much personal protective equipment to its facilities as possible.

At the same time, research at UConn was slowing down and most of it eventually stopped for a period of time. Those involved in research combed through their labs to find PPE that was not being used. It was given to UConn Health to be used on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 through the coordination of Business Services, Facilities Operations, and the Division of Public Safety (Office of Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety).

That generosity was repaid on Wednesday, as those University partners presented a supply of PPE to researchers at UConn.

“This is somewhat symbolic, but we want to make sure you are whole and operational,” said William Shea, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management. “Teamwork made this all happen as people worked hand-in-hand to address an important situation.”

The reopening of approximately 800 research labs at UConn has been a massive operation, and Associate Vice President for Research Michelle Williams was quick to credit the work of Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Regulatory Affairs Wesley Byerly.

“You have saved careers, lives and relationships in all the work you have done,” said Williams.