The Center for the Environment is organized around four interconnected research themes and one foundational, cross-cutting theme. The most complex environmental challenges and the most exciting research needs are at the intersections of these themes.
Research themes
Addressing societal challenges
We are 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.
Summer Undergraduate Research
At WashU, undergraduate students have the opportunity to spend the summer conducting research alongside principal investigators, graduate students, and peers – working to address environmental challenges in an interdisciplinary cohort.
Research Facilities
WashU has a variety of available research facilities. Find out how they might support your work.
Featured research & stories
Transforming wood waste for sustainable manufacturing
Foston takes detailed look at lignin disassembly on path to replace petroleum with renewables
With NASA support, device for future lunar mission being developed at WashU
Scientists at WashU are developing a prototype for an instrument for a future Moon mission with support from a nearly $3 million grant from NASA.
Efficient lithium-air battery under development to speed electrification of transit
Xianglin Li leads team with $1.5 million from ARPA-E for next-generation, high-energy battery