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
136
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.
Connect with us
Upcoming Events
Work with us! Internship opportunities
The Center for the Environment internship program is open to all WashU undergraduate students and typically includes 2-5 students per semester, working on projects from website management to program development.
Featured research & stories
Naseh receives William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award
Brown School initiative works with community partners to support immigrants and refugees
Midwestern Climate Collaborative receives 2026 AASHE sustainability award
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently gave the Midwest Climate Collaborative (MCC) a 2026 Campus Sustainability Achievement Award, one of its highest honors.
Scholar Profile: Rachel Penczykowski
Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Rachel Penczykowski knew early on that she was drawn to science. Over time, her interest narrowed—first to biology, then ecology. One upper-level parasitology course changed her trajectory. A guest lecture on environmental conditions shaping host–parasite interactions was, as she describes it, a “life-changing light bulb moment.” In that lecture, she […]
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
Post-tornado soil tests find that lead is a problem—but not a new one
WashU researchers have been testing soil for lead matter in the tornado’s impact area—and contemplating solutions for a historic problem.
The Ebola outbreak will lead to devastating violence against women and girls
The World Health Organization has declared a new public health emergency.
As tornado demolitions begin in St. Louis, dust and health concerns swirl
City, state and federal contractors are slated to demolish hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed by the tornado in the coming months.
