Reconstructing past climate and cultural shifts could help predict how people and animals might be affected in the future.
Addressing our deepest societal environmental challenges

The Center for the Environment is an interdisciplinary hub of environmental research that is committed to generating transformative solutions to our deepest societal challenges including: climate change, air pollution, access to clean water, food insecurity, biodiversity loss and infectious diseases.

By the numbers

87

Center scholars

7

Proposals/Grants supported

500+

Activity participants

115

Journal articles published
Jan-June 2024

The Center’s mission

The center serves as a cross-cutting collaboration hub, encouraging partners, faculty and students to advance research projects in areas including biodiversity, environmental justice, planetary health, environmental solutions, and climate change. Here’s a closer look at who we are, what we do, and why it matters for our community, our region and our world.

Competitive Energy

Competitive Energy

Alumnus Deko Devins is on a mission to make solar power more widespread, affordable and accessible.

Rethinking the waste in water

Rethinking the waste in water

Young-Shin Jun and her team at the McKelvey School of Engineering see untapped resources in the chemical compounds in highly saline wastewater.

Can we improve the way the world eats?

Can we improve the way the world eats?

Iannotti and her E3 Nutrition Lab at WashU investigate maternal and child nutrition by examining the impact of nutrient-rich foods that are locally sourced and affordable.

Core soil samples being taken at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The WashU ecosystem

Within the WashU ecosystem of environmental research, education, and practice, the Center for the Environment serves as a connector. Much like a biodiversity corridor, we work to create space where our partners within the ecosystem and across distinct disciplines come together to address our world’s biggest environmental challenges.

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