Lab Design Conference Speaker Profile: Chen Qin
2026 Lab Design Conference speaker—Chen Qin, climate action strategist, DLR Group
Chen Qin, climate action strategist at DLR Group, will co-lead a special roundtable session at the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando, FL. Chen and her colleague Chris Ertl will discuss “Designing Healthier Laboratories through Material Selection,” on May 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
During this roundtable session, attendees will move beyond standard durability metrics to explore how laboratory countertop selection impacts occupant health, indoor air quality, and environmental sustainability. Chen, along with Chris, will present research on chemical profiles and Red List substances to spark a collaborative dialogue, making active audience participation crucial to the success of this peer-to-peer exchange. By sharing personal experiences and challenges, roundtable attendees will work together to develop transparent, evidence-based strategies for balancing performance with human wellness in the lab.
Lab Design News spoke with Chen about material selection, the evolution of AI in design, and her favorite professional sports league. Register now to make sure you’re in the audience for this interactive roundtable discussion!
Q: What makes your Lab Design Conference roundtable session especially relevant to the current trends and challenges in laboratory design?
A: Laboratories are environments of constant experimentation, where high touch surfaces support critical daily research. Material selection has historically focused on durability and chemical resistance. Our research broadens that lens through a holistic evaluation matrix integrating performance, material health, and embodied carbon to support both human wellbeing and environmental responsibility.
Q: What key takeaways should attendees expect from your session, and how can they apply these insights in their own labs?
A: Attendees will learn how to evaluate lab countertop materials using a structured decision matrix that integrates performance, material transparency, health criteria, and embodied carbon. The session provides practical guidance for comparing options and communicating tradeoffs clearly to facilities teams, EH&S professionals, and institutional leadership.
Q: How do you see the future of lab design evolving over the next five to 10 years, and how should professionals prepare?
A: AI is intrinsically reshaping the research ecosystem by accelerating experimentation and compressing development cycles. As research programs evolve faster, our laboratory designs must keep pace with more adaptable infrastructure and digitally integrated systems.
At the same time, as product data and lifecycle metrics become more structured and digitized, AI will increasingly support how materials and equipment are evaluated. Lab designers should prepare by strengthening literacy in lifecycle analysis, material transparency, and data interpretation.
Q: Is there a piece of advice you received in your career that has shaped the way you approach lab design?
A: Early in my career, I was challenged to think in systems rather than isolated components. That advice aligned with my passion for resilience and regenerative design and fundamentally shaped how I approach laboratory planning. Laboratories are complex ecosystems of infrastructure, workflow, safety, materials, and carbon performance. For lab designers, success comes from recognizing how each decision influences the broader system.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of work?
A: I enjoy photography and am an avid NBA fan. Championship sports teams succeed through energy, coordination, performance tracking, iteration, and collective momentum. I find that process compelling and inspiring.
Don't miss out on the 2026 Lab Design Conference! Join Chen and fellow experts in Orlando to explore the next generation of lab environments. Register now!
