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
Sophia Hayes
Professor of Chemistry
Carbon Capture (Direct Air Capture and High Concentration Source Capture), CO2 Mineralization, Materials Design
Marcus Foston
Associate Professor of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
Biomass and Lignin Conversion, Plastic Waste Valorization, Renewable Chemicals and Materials
Bryce Sadtler
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Clean Hydrogen Production, Solar Fuels, Photocatalysis
Environmental solutions stories
