Innovating solutions and strategies to address environmental challenges —
Environmental solutions encompass scientific, technological, and policy approaches to address environmental threats to human and ecosystem health. These solutions also chart a pathway towards a sustainable and equitable future. The Center for the Environment promotes environmental solutions research in air and water quality, biotechnology, agricultural practices, the built environment, and decarbonization of energy and industrial systems. Environmental solutions emerge from diverse fields, including but not limited to engineering, natural and social sciences, social work and policy, and architecture and design. The Center examines environmental solutions across timescales and in systems spanning natural, managed, and engineered environments.
Diana Parra-Perez, PhD
Assistant Professor at Prevention Research Center, Brown School
Parra-Perez focuses community based programs for physical activity, nutrition, yoga, and mindfulness, geared towards marginalized, underrepresented, and oppressed minorities. She works with St. Louis-area organizations such as urban farm Rustic Roots Sanctuary to promote community health solutions.
Marcus Foston, PhD
Associate Professor of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
Foston finds innovative ways to utilize biomass and plastic waste resources for production of value-added products. He is working on creating a new class of biodegradable materials using a novel process inspired by beer brewing.
Environmental solutions scholars
Christopher Schaberg
Director of Public Scholarship & Professor of Practice in English
Environmental Literature, Mobility, Air Travel & Airports, Place & Space
Nataliia Laas
Assistant Professor of History
Environmental History, Energy History, Waste, Toxicity, Environmental Thinking, Environmental Rights, Environmental Justice
Zahra Safaverdi
Assistant Professor of Architecture
Environmental Humanities, Historical Practices of Living with Arid Environments, Global Arid Ecologies’ Relationship with Varied Bodies of Water, Architectural Practices Attuned to Arid Environments and Ecologies
