Saroj Saurya

Scientist and environmentalist at the Raff Lab, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford. I combine my role as a post-doctoral scientist with my passion for sustainability in research. At the Raff Lab, I lead initiatives that have transformed how we think about laboratory waste: through reusing, recycling, and redesigning processes, we have reduced almost 85% of our plastic waste through reuse, 14% through recycling, and left only 1% for incineration. As Chair of the Dunn School Green Group, I work with colleagues to embed sustainable practices across the department. These efforts have helped the Dunn School become the first department at Oxford to achieve 100% LEAF Gold certification, setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible science. Alongside sustainability, my scientific research focuses on Drosophila models to study centrosome assembly and cell biology. I have co-authored several papers, including recent work in Science Advances and Genetics, linking my laboratory expertise with broader commitments to greener, more responsible research practices. I am also an active advocate for community and cultural change in science: mentoring colleagues, sharing best practice across institutions, and demonstrating that world-class research can—and must—go hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility.