In the early mornings of Building 68, the sounds of rolling wheels on metal carts, rattling glassware, whooshing faucets, and clanking autoclaves blend together. These sounds are not from researchers at work but from the ongoing effort to keep labs sterilized and stocked with research essentials: pipette tips, test tubes, flasks, petri dishes, and more. Orchestrating this morning symphony and the staff responsible for it is Karen O’Leary, lab associate and acting supervisor in the Glassware Sterilization Facility, affectionately known as the 'kitchen.' Thanks in part to O’Leary’s proactivity and hard work, the kitchen staff recently received an MIT Excellence Award in 2025 for their exceptional contributions to the community.
'My goal is to get the scientists everything they need to do their research,' O’Leary states. 'I’m good at what I do.' O’Leary admits she didn't always possess such confidence. Over nearly 40 years at MIT, she has grown into this critical role, while the department itself has evolved, moving into a brand-new building and away from previous practices like submerging equipment in acid for sterilization.
From Rookie to Running the Show
On September 7, 1987, 18-year-old Karen O’Leary joined the MIT community for the first time as a staff member. Fresh out of vocational high school where she studied cosmetology, she felt too shy to pursue that career path. Nervous about entering a research institution, she recalls, 'When I started, I didn’t even know what a beaker was.' Too embarrassed to admit she forgot her new home phone number during the interview, 'I just made one up.' Fortunately, this didn’t prevent her from getting the job, where she worked under the mentorship of Thelma Watkins, who retired in 1996 after 21 years at MIT. Watkins was crucial in instilling a strong work ethic and boosting O’Leary’s confidence.
'She taught me to show up every day, work hard, and laugh,' O’Leary says. Even now, O’Leary continues to bring joy to that daily diligence for herself and her staff. 'Karen is always on top of things,' says longtime friend and fellow Lab Associate AnnMarie Budhai. 'She doesn’t refuse work and always goes above and beyond.' Facilities and Operations Manager Cesar Duarte states that O’Leary’s long tenure, support, and knowledge have been invaluable as he transitioned into his role in Building 68 starting in 2023. 'Karen is one of those people who makes everything around her run more smoothly and pleasantly,' Duarte adds.
Better, Faster, Safer
While some might consider it drudgery, O’Leary claims that washing glassware is her favorite task. 'I like that when I wash, I can see the job is complete at the end of the day,' she says. Although washing glassware is a perennial task, safety and efficiency have improved significantly over the past 38 years.
More effective autoclaves and dishwashers have eliminated steps like steaming to dissolve agar solvents before autoclaving, and scrubbing individual test tubes before washing. O’Leary was part of the department in 2011 when Building 68 piloted a new approach to MIT’s management of regulated medical waste (RMW), such as petri dishes, blood, and needles — the new system, which is cheaper and produces less waste, is now used by all MIT departments that generate RMW.
'EHS [the Environment, Health and Safety Office] has come really far — I’m glad we got away from acid,' O’Leary reflects on the bygone era of submerging glass pipettes for sterilization. 'Back then, no one knew of a better way.' Other tasks include cleaning velvets, used for replicating bacterial colonies on petri dishes, and pouring agar plates. 'Everyone knows how to do almost every job, so we can take turns doing different tasks,' O’Leary says. 'If you get sick, there’s always someone to cover.'
All in the Family
For O’Leary, her kinship with MIT spans generations. Raised in Weymouth, Massachusetts, her father worked at MIT as a supervisor in the sheet metal shop. Having raised children of her own, now grown, O’Leary greatly appreciates the flexibility her job has granted her. 'I’ve had great work-family balance here,' she states. Even though she often arrives at work more than an hour before the researchers she serves, 'The hours are great, and with MIT Health right across the street, it was easy to take everyone to doctors’ appointments.'
She has also gained a chosen family at MIT, spending breaks at work taking long walks along the Charles River, 'talking about anything and everything' with colleagues like Budhai and Lab Aide Janet Katin. 'We really grew up together,' she says.
Working at MIT has provided O’Leary with support and community, and she hopes to pay it forward. In addition to strolling with colleagues, she hits the gym to help maintain the energy required for her highly active work. 'I don’t like sitting around,' she asserts. Beyond maintaining her stamina at work, she hopes that taking care of herself will keep her actively involved if she ever has grandchildren and enable her to help neighborhood kids when she someday retires.
'I owe a lot to MIT,' she says. 'I have been allowed to work hard and get satisfaction and have been appreciated and given space to care for my family.' O’Leary returns this care to the Department of Biology in spades. 'It’s an understatement to say that Biology is lucky to have her,' says Duarte. 'Karen’s overflowing energy, attention to detail, and care for the Biology research community are nothing short of amazing.'
Blogger's Review:
Karen O’Leary's story highlights the indispensable nature of support roles in a research environment. Her contributions not only enhance laboratory efficiency but also foster a positive atmosphere within the team. Her dedication exemplifies how passion and responsibility can transform the surrounding environment, serving as a valuable lesson for all researchers.