CSU Chico Lab Technician Receives Governor's Safety Award

Lorna Abbott, who works as a lab technician for the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at California State University, Chico, has received the Governor’s State Employee Safety Award for 2001.

She was nominated for her outstanding design and fabrication of custom safety features and equipment now being regularly used in the Nutrition and Food Sciences Laboratory. She was the recipient of the 2002 Campus Employee Safety Award for this work.

Abbott designed and constructed removable laptop computer stands that allow students to create a space on top of an extended drawer for their laptops or notebooks during lecture classes. She also constructed and installed a laboratory cart ramp. These improvements have made the laboratory safer, more efficient and more versatile.

“Lorna is the epitome of a hardworking, innovative and dedicated member of our staff,” said Cindy Wolff, professor and coordinator, Nutrition and Food Sciences. “The multi-purposing of the NFSC lab to both a laptop computer lab and lecture room would not have come to fruition without Lorna’s initiative and design skills, as well as her knowledge of lab safety guidelines.”

Wolff will accompany Abbott to a presentation of the award on Friday, Aug. 23, in Sacramento.

CONTACT: Kathleen McPartland, 530-898-4263