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
Can we make drinking water safer?
This WashU program taps into a simple solution using household water filters to monitor and track safety.
ACCESS was a success for WashU Center for the Environment
At a time when advancing research is more challenging than ever, seven environmental research centers, institutes and initiatives from across the country came together to keep environmental progress on track.
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
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
New Public Exchange will put WashU profs to work on St. Louis’ most pressing problems
The Brown School initiative is modeled on a first-of-its-kind program at USC that’s had a big impact.
At Audubon Center at Riverlands, bird watchers stake their place in a concrete spiral
On the banks of the Mississippi near its confluence with the Missouri River, visitors have a new place to go to experience the sight of migratory birds, including Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, and Great Blue Herons.
Copycat Evolution Between Certain Breeds of Cats and Dogs
Anyone can tell a dog from a cat, right? Not so fast! Our recent study found that selection for baby-like features — big eyes, small noses, and round heads — has led to the evolution of breeds of dogs and cats whose skulls are very similar.