WIN Innovation Seminar - Dr. Amit Goyal & Dr. Thomas Thundat: "University at Buffalo’s RENEW Institute"

The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) presents a seminar by Dr. Amit Goyal & Dr. Thomas Thundat, from the institute for Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water (RENEW), University at Buffalo, New York, United States

University at Buffalo’s RENEW Institute

Abstract

The University at Buffalo (UB) recently established the institute for Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water (RENEW - https://www.buffalo.edu/renew.html) in 2015. The RENEW Institute is a university-wide, interdisciplinary research institute that focuses on complex energy and environmental issues, as well as the social and economic issues with which they are connected. The institute unites researchers and builds upon the strengths of faculty from seven UB schools and colleges including the School of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Law School, School of Management, School of Public Health and Health Professions and the School of Medicine. The goal is to create transformative change through research, education and community engagement activities. The institute’s over-arching goal is to advance Energy, Water and Environmental Sustainability as a foundation for a Regenerative Economy. The institute’s strategic planning process resulted in the creation of five interdisciplinary focus areas that leverage existing UB faculty strengths and UB facilities. These are – (a) Next-Generation Materials and Technologies for Energy, Environment & Water Sustainability; (b) Freshwater Coastal Ecosystems and the Blue Economy; (c) Sustainable Urban Environments; (d) Environmental Exposures, Genomes and Health and (e) Climate Change and Social-Economic Impacts. About ~20 UB faculty are engaged in each focus area or about 100 faculty across the campus and the institute has ~ 20 new faculty positions. This talk will provide an overview of the institute and review ongoing research in the various focus areas of the institute.