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
Public Health People: A conversation with Professor Rodrigo Reis
With expertise in how environments affect people’s active lives, Reis leads WashU’s People, Health & Place Unit
Can we make drinking water safer?
This WashU program taps into a simple solution using household water filters to monitor and track safety.
SPARK ignites sustainability leadership for students
In August, the WashU Office of Sustainability kicked off an academic year of student-driven environmental change with its SPARK leadership program.