Environmental Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Overview
Contemporary society is being challenged by a diverse array of extremely complex environmental problems driven by rapid increases in population and the accompanying demands on our life support systems. Increased pollution from the physical, chemical, and biological contaminants generated by industrial activities, agriculture and food production, as well as poor natural resource management, continues to threaten the ecological and economic stability of our planet. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has a high concentration of renowned environmental scientists working to develop next-generation solutions to these complex environmental challenges. The campus' Environmental Institute (TEI) is the main gateway through which to access this talent pool. The Institute brings University experts together to work on interdisciplinary environmental problems and serves as a gateway for public, non-profit, and private groups to tap into the University's expertise.
Key Research Thrusts
Environmental research thrusts at UMass Amherst are numerous. Search for your area of interest by keyword using the campus' Environmental Expertise database.
Research Support
Approximately $20M was awarded to UMass faculty from state, private and government sources for environmental research in FY '05*. Top sources for Environmental awards include the National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Breadth of Research
Almost every department on campus has faculty researching problems that have environmental impact. The highest concentrations are found in the following departments: Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Geosciences, Microbiology, Natural Resources Conservation, and Resource Economics.
National Rankings
- Environmental Sciences Program named one of the 8 "excellent" programs in the region (New England Board of Higher Education)
- Biological Sciences – 60th in nation (U.S News and World Report 2003)
- Geosciences Department recognized for producing most cited paper on Global Warming (Institute for Scientific Information)
Centers & Institutes
Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (CEERE) provides technological and economic solutions to environmental problems resulting from energy production, industrial, manufacturing, and commercial activities, and land use practices. Our University based research program is built upon four sub groups with unique abilities to service energy and environmental problems. CEERE offers research, training and educational experiences for graduate and undergraduate engineers and scientists.
Environmental Biotechnology Center
The main focus of the Environmental Biotechnology Center is on the Geobacter species. They are of interest because of their novel electron transfer capabilities, impact on the natural environment and their application to the bioremediation of contaminated environments and harvesting electricity from waste organic matter. The first Geobacter species (initially designated strain GS-15) was isolated from the Potomac River, just down stream from Washington D.C. in 1987. This organism, known as Geobacter metallireducens, was the first organism found to oxidize organic compounds to carbon dioxide with iron oxides as the electron acceptor. In other words, Geobacter metallireducens gains its energy by using iron oxides (a rust-like mineral) in the same way that humans use oxygen. Geobacter metallireducens and other Geobacter species that have subsequently been isolated provide a model for important iron transformations on modern earth and may explain geological phenomena, such as the massive accumulation of magnetite in ancient iron formations.
The Environmental Institute (TEI)
TEI is a unit of the Vice Provost for Research that works to support and facilitate interdisciplinary environmental research and education at the university and to respond to the increasing need for knowledge and solutions to the environmental challenges our earth and its diverse societies face. Addressing these issues and problems requires new interdisciplinary approaches and syntheses across traditional disciplines in the life sciences, natural resources, engineering, social sciences, and public health sciences. The growing complexity of environmental problems requires new innovative thinking and synthesis across disciplines if we are to meet these challenges and opportunities with creative and sustainable solutions. TEI also develops and manages a broad range of research and education projects through its eight centers and affiliates, working with public agencies, nonprofits, and industry.
For more information on environmental science facilities, search the campus' facilities database at www.umassrefs.info.
Technology Transfer
For licensing opportunities in Environmental Science, contact the office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property (CVIP) at (413) 545-3606.
*Source: UMass Office of Grants & Contracts Administration
Updated 6/1/06
|
