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
123
Center scholars
46
Proposals/Grants supported
1000+
Activity participants
150
Journal articles published
in Jan-June 2025
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.
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Featured research & stories
Public Health People: A conversation with researcher Lora Iannotti
The Lauren and Lee Fixel Distinguished Professor of Public Health talks hunger, nutrition and the promise she sees in the new School of Public Health
Building momentum: School of Public Health marks milestones
The School of Public Health is accelerating its growth, with new faculty, staff and students joining its ranks, two locations now fully operational and core initiatives driving interdisciplinary collaboration and community impact.
Konecky wins 2025 NSF CAREER Award
Bronwen Konecky has won a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to study rainfall changes in the Central America and northern South America region
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.
In the news
How Is Climate Change Impacting Fall Foliage?
It’s officially fall in the northern hemisphere, but depending where you are, it might not look like it.
For birds, flocks promise safety – especially if you’re faster than your neighbor
Why is it ever worth being with others that not only compete for food but may pass on diseases or even mate with your partner?
New study: Less than 1/2 of St Louis city residents live within walking distance of fresh food
Dr. Rodrigo Siqueira Reis, Professor of public health at Washington University, and the senior investigator on the study of “liveability” joins Megan Lynch to share his findings.