Snapshot: Julio Giannotti

Position: Safety Coordinator, Environmental Health & Safety

Primary Responsibilities: A liaison between researchers and EH&S, Giannotti supports Scripps Research laboratories by conducting lab safety audits, health and safety training, emergency/hazmat response, and accident investigations. In addition, he provides workplace air sampling, monitoring, and analysis, as part of the institute's worker-protection industrial hygiene program. "My primary role is conducting lab safety audits, but I'm driven by the many diverse challenges my work affords me," he explains.

Other Efforts: Giannotti also works extensively on sustainability projects, serving on the Green Initiative steering committee and the Green Team, and he organizes the annual Green Feat employee-education events, scheduled April 7 to 20 on the California campus. EH&S is sponsoring the kick-off activity, a Green Feat edition of Safety Gram Live! (The Florida campus events are scheduled for April 28.) His interest in sustainability issues arises from his love of the outdoors and concern for human and environmental health.

He finds the Green Team a rewarding way to contribute to advancing science. "Working on sustainability issues requires substantial interaction and communication with different groups of people, whether at work or in the community. Our Green Team is no different. We share a common vision and passion to improve sustainability at Scripps Research. We're dedicated to delivering our message to be sustainable to every person on campus."

Arrived at Scripps Research: May 2001

Background: Giannotti spent his childhood in Rhode Island, Maryland, and Texas before settling in California. He earned a B.S. in environmental education, with a minor in Forestry, from the University of California, Berkeley. He currently holds the professional distinction of Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM). Previously working as a safety compliance officer for a steel fabrication/ship repair facility in Alameda, CA, Giannotti relocated to San Diego in 2000 to be closer to family.

Thoughts on Scripps Research: "I'm proud to have spent my last 10 years supporting world-class research and world-class people."

Notable Personal Achievement: A 28-mile, four-day hike in Peru, climbing to 14,000-foot heights on the Inca Trail to visit Machu Picchu, the stunning 15th century "Lost City of the Incas" perched high in the Andes mountain range. Traveling with his dad and several friends, Giannotti remembers most vividly standing on the ridge above the ancient ruins as the sun rose on the horizon, looking down on the spectacular scene.

Extracurricular Activities: Spending time with his wife, Alisa, family, and friends; travel; music; cycling; and Cal football—"Go Bears!"

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

"We share a common vision and passion to improve sustainability at Scripps Research," says Julio Giannotti, safety coordinator and member of the Green Team. (Photo by Cindy Brauer.)