Woman in lab coat and gloves standing at biosafety cabinet with biohazard sticker, smiling. She holds a spray bottle in her hand. UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences — Toward their goal of breeding disease-resistant strawberry plants for the world, scientists in the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program work with pathogens that threaten the industry. That’s why they use this secure space known as a biosafety hood for some of their research processes. Lab manager Randi Famula – recently named a campus Safety Star – demonstrates how “the hood” gets cleaned with ethanol to ensure those nasty bugs don’t escape. The program is overseen by Mitchell Feldmann, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Sciences. (Trina Kleist/UC Davis)

Safety Star: Famula Wins Award for Managing Feldmann Lab

Strawberry Research Center is a Place Where “Students Gain Confidence”

by Daniel Kaplun
September 03, 2026

Behind every successful research program is someone dedicated to keeping people, facilities and research activities running safely. Randi Famula, lab manager of the Strawberry Breeding Program in the Department of Plant Sciences, was recently celebrated for the expertise, leadership and collaboration she brings to the safety of the UC Davis research community.

Two smiling coworkers in casual clothes standing in conference room with gold balloons and video screen behind them. UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences — Randi Famula, left, safety manager for the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program, with Adrienne Zweifel, the associate biosafety officer with the campus Office of Safety Services and one of the people who nominated Famula for the Safety Star Award for August. (Veronica Thron/UC Davis)

The campus Office of Safety Services celebrated Famula as a Safety Star for the month of August, noting her outstanding contributions to research safety and regulatory compliance.

“My motivation for safety in the lab is really to help students gain confidence working in a laboratory setting, which can be intimidating if you have never worked in one before,” Famula said. “I want to help students feel comfortable working safely in a space with chemical, biological and environmental hazards.”

Famula has worked in the Strawberry Breeding Program since 2017 and worked for program Director Mitchell Feldmann since 2023. Feldmann is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Sciences.

Famula was nominated for the recognition by Karin Deal, the department’s safety coordinator, and Adrienne Zweifel, the campus’ associate biosafety officer.

Hand holding small purple-capped vial over open box in front of an open refrigerator in a scientific lab. UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences — Even the trash has to be safe: Randi Famula, lab manager of the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program, shows the commercially procured bacteria she uses regularly to confirm the lab’s autoclave is working correctly. The autoclave uses super-heated steam to kill pathogens that remain on lab items headed for the garbage. (Trina Kleist/UC Davis)

Famula is responsible for ensuring laboratory staff comply with UC Davis Environmental Health & Safety standards, plus the requirements of numerous federal, state and county permits. She maintains the documentation required by these permits and accompanies agency inspectors during visits to regulated growth chambers, greenhouses and field sites, helping ensure research activities are conducted safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

When the campus Biosafety Office expanded its audit program to include growth chambers and greenhouses, Famula stepped up to support the effort by volunteering her time to train staff. Her thorough orientation helped prepare the team to conduct audits in these specialized research spaces and contributed to the successful expansion of the program.

Known for her cheerful attitude and collaborative approach, Famula is always pleasant to work with and willing to share her knowledge with others. Her commitment to safety, service and teamwork makes a lasting impact on the research community.