Facility manager enables safe, successful research

Laurie White | Facility Manager | Office of Research 

Scientists often require lab space to conduct experiments. Facility managers like Laurie White help maintain these spaces and play indispensable roles in ensuring user safety.

White is the facility manager for Gray-Little Hall, which serves the departments of Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Physics & Astronomy. It is also home to at least seven different core labs used by researchers across the university and some affiliates with other institutions. White has been at KU for 14 years.

“Laurie takes great pride in her work and that pride extends to making sure Gray-Little Hall functions well for all students and faculty,” said Tim Jackson, professor and chair of chemistry.

“She is especially adept at identifying facilities problems at an early stage so that any issues can be addressed as soon as possible.”

As the facility manager, White wears several hats. She oversees repairs and work orders, coordinates office space when staffing changes arise and troubleshoots issues for students and faculty. White also helps with the installation of new lab equipment, such as in the recently opened Materials Characterization & Testing Laboratory. Some of this highly specialized equipment can cost millions of dollars and requires careful attention to detail during installation.

“Laurie is a strong advocate for her people, which is critical as a facility manager,” said André Faucher, assistant director of research facilities, who has worked closely with White for years.

“She is very honest and frank — not in a mean way. She tells you like it is, and many times that is what is needed in facility management.”

Another major part of White’s role is ensuring the safety of building occupants. White leads a safety committee to promote safety procedures. She has gone above and beyond to make this information as accessible as possible, including creating videos about tornado sheltering and fire evacuation locations, which are hosted on the building website.

“Laurie has become an integral part of our research safety team in Gray-Little Hall,” Jackson said. “She works closely with a multidepartment safety committee to help make sure that everyone in Gray-Little Hall understands safety codes and good practices.”