Director's Message: Semester Recap

The Center for the Environment is just over five months old. At the end of this semester and calendar year, I want to share a quick glimpse of our progress so far. 

This fall, we launched the Center Scholars program with 66 researchers joining our shared effort to support and elevate environmental research and creative practice at WashU. 

More than 90 researchers have participated in our programming designed for research acceleration. This includes our Environmental Research Collaboration series this fall where people shared research, learned from each other and started building a community around exciting and critical environmental work as, well as our summer series of networking workshops to support interdisciplinary teams pursuing Here & Next seed grants. 

We have contributed to four teams’ proposal submissions for external funding from the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and National Institutes of Health on topics that include climate change and mental health, equitable water solutions, and undergraduate research.   

Through these programs, smaller convenings, and opportunities to meet with people and teams across our university, I am always inspired by the interesting, important work happening at WashU.  As we continue to expand the capacity of the Center, I’m grateful for the chance to partner with so many of you on this critical work.  

Have a great end of the semester, and a restful holiday break. 

Dan Giammar

Director, Center for the Environment

Walter E. Browne Professor of Environmental Engineering

Assistant Vice Provost

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

We are excited to announce our Summer Undergraduate Research Program! Applications are now open and are due on February 18th.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is available to WashU students continuing their studies next fall. Over the course of ten weeks, students are given the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor on their environmental based research. No prior research experience is necessary.

Selections will be announced on March 22nd and the program will be in session from May 27th through August 5th.

Join our Center for the Environment interns at the Summer Research Fair

Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Risa Commons

Our Center for the Environment student interns will be at the Summer Research Fair to spread information about the Center's Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Stop by to ask questions, hear more about the program, and learn about the available research topics.

The Summer Research Fair is a place to discuss opportunities and share your questions with staff and/or student alumni from a variety of summer research programs. Chat with WashU Research Ambassadors, or "WRAPers," or connect with the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) staff at this drop-in style fair.

We're Hiring: Spring Student Internship

We are hiring a student intern for the spring semester. The Intern will work with the program managers and other interns to support the development of environmental research at WashU. The Intern will participate in the Environment, Sustainability, and Climate Change (ESCC) Internship professional development opportunities and will be exposed to a broad range of projects through the program as well as to other departments and research groups on campus.

The internship program will take place January 17th – June 4th. The part-time internship position (7-10hrs/week) will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual work. The deadline to submit an application is January 5th.

Geospatial Public Health Workshop

Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | DUC 276

The Transdisciplinary Institute in Applied Data Science (TRIADS) and the Geospatial Research Initiative (GRI) will host a half-day workshop on geospatial public health on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 9 am to 2 pm in DUC 276. The format of the meeting will consist of (i) brief research introductions among participants, followed by (ii) breakout groups designed to foster the development of research proposals aligned with funding opportunities.

Interested researchers are encouraged to participate and fill out this brief Qualtrics Survey in advance. Please contact Caitlin McMurtry with questions ([email protected]).

Upcoming WashU environmental events

December

If you have an environmentally-focused event you would like included in a future newsletter, submit the event here.

Follow us on Instagram for a weekly event updates.

Center for the Environment Scholars 2023-24

We are accepting applications for our Center Scholars program. Center Scholars will have access to opportunities and support from the Center to highlight their work, support their research, and connect with other potential collaborators. Click here to learn more about the program's benefits and expectations.

Job Opening: Senior Research Development Associate

The Center for the Environment is seeking an experienced research development professional to lead proposal development and strategic planning for large and complex interdisciplinary environmental research teams. We are looking for someone to support our mission of increasing the size and impact of WashU’s environmental research.

Learn more and please help share this opportunity with your networks.