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
144
Center scholars
46
Proposals/Grants supported
1000+
Activity participants
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
Alumni Spotlight: Nicholas Thornburg
Nicholas Thornburg’s BS ’12 career advancing chemistry and technology to foster energy growth started at WashU in the fall of 2008 with a curveball.
Air Quality and Health Initiative Research Spotlight: a case for collaboration
A simple question brought together two separate areas of deep, complex expertise to advance critical research: does anyone at WashU research air quality?
WashU Arboretum holds free tours and events
Open to the public, the tours spotlight iconic trees, fall colors and campus biodiversity
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
NIH revives network to study emerging diseases—but its new restrictions baffle scientists
Ban on hunting for new viruses in wildlife is at odds with program’s mission, researchers say
Kelvin wave incoming: Why the US should care
A massive pool of warm water moving toward the West Coast could raise sea levels and worsen flooding in California this winter as a powerful El Niño continues to strengthen, scientists say.
Chemosymbiosis between Animals and Microbes May Predate the Cambrian: Study
A tubular marine creature that lived on the seafloor more than 540 million years ago may have survived in toxic, sulfur-rich waters by teaming up with bacteria.
