Environmental Frontiers

Environmental Frontiers brings together University of Chicago faculty, students, and staff to collaborate on finding innovative ways to build a more sustainable future on campus and beyond.

Environmental Frontiers (EF) creates student-faculty research and educational opportunities focused on the intersection of environmental sustainability and urbanization, with the goal of giving UChicago undergraduate students a scientific and practical understanding of sustainable urban development. Spanning the physical, biological, social sciences and the humanities, the initiative complements existing and emerging course curriculum in Environmental and Urban Studies, Environmental Sciences, and other programs. Environmental Frontiers is an Initiative run by the Mansueto Institute, the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU), the Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP), the Office of the Provost, and Facilities ServicesOffice of Sustainability.

 

EF Campus

EFCampus, the campus-based component of the initiative, is a unique research and experiential learning effort. The program supports teams of undergraduate research assistants charged with analyzing campus data, operational systems, and community behaviors to identify actionable recommendations that advance the University’s sustainability goals. All projects are aligned with the University’s  sustainability plan, and are mentored by faculty and Facilities Services staff. By using UChicago’s campus as a case study, students are challenged to think deeply about what the data suggests are effective interventions to improve environmental efficiency and reduce consumption.

 

Student Research Opportunities

EF Campus hires Graduate and Undergraduate Research Assistants throughout the year. Applications are not currently open, but check back soon to apply for the 2024-2025 cohort of EF Campus Research Assistants.

Current Projects

 

Shut the Sash

Shut the Sash

EFCampus helps run the “Shut the Sash” competition at the University of Chicago, encouraging lab users to minimize fume hood sash height to reduce energy consumption, promoting sustainability and fostering a culture of energy conservation through biannual feedback and rewards. The effort has resulted in significant reduction in energy use at campus lab buildings, which are the highest source of climate emissions on-campus.

Freezer Challenge

Freezer Challenge

The goal of the Freezer Challenge is to enhance lab cold storage efficiency on campus by implementing better practices, such as regular defrosting and sample management, to significantly reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability across the campus.

Lab Standard Operating Procedure

Lab Standard Operating Procedure

Research laboratories at the University of Chicago consume substantial energy, leading to high costs and sustainability challenges. The aim of this project is to study and utilize sustainable frameworks like I2SL Smart Labs Toolkit and My Green Labs to enhance lab efficiency and sustainability.

Heat Mapping

Heat Mapping

The Heat Mapping project seeks to understand urban heat effects by analyzing the relationship between surface and 3-meter temperatures. Working with local high school students, the project will collect, analyze, and map temperature data to create actionable insights for better urban management.

My role as an EFCampus RA has strongly reaffirmed my curiosity and dedication to environmental issues. Sustainability has been a focal point in my education, early career, and personal life, and I feel more ready than ever to continue down this path.

Izzy Romanucci

Undergraduate Research Assistant, EF Campus

Past Projects

EV Charging Stations

The EV Charging Station project conducted research to determine the best locations for four future charging stations and researched a plan for additional charging stations to accommodate a full EV fleet transition by 2030 at the University.

Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Design

This Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Design project evaluated the energy performance of University laboratory buildings and developed tools and behavioral campaigns to reduce excess energy use. Learn more from the project’s Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Design Final Presentation.

Sustainability Dashboards Analysis and Design

This project evaluated UChicago’s sustainability dashboards on the basis of transparency, digital accessibility, and usability to develop recommendations to improve and expand sustainability dashboards and reporting to advance the University’s sustainability goals. The team collaborated in 2022-2023 with UChicago Dining and Chartwells, the dining hall food supplier, to build a UChicago Dining dashboard analysis to report on the amount of food UChicago is sourcing sustainably accounting for: cage free eggs, Fair Trade/Eco coffee, rhgh-free milk, reduced antibiotic chicken, reduced antibiotic turkey, and sustainable seafood. Learn more from the project’s Sustainability Data Dashboard Report.

Tree Ecosystem Services Analysis

The Tree Ecosystem Services Analysis evaluated methods to quantify the benefits provided by different tree species in an urban forest, and assessed opportunities to optimize ecosystem services to advance the University’s sustainability goals. Learn more from the project’s Campus Forest Analysis.

Water Conservation Assessment

The Water Conservation Assessment project benchmarked current water usage at the University of Chicago, recommending water reduction goals and conservation measures through technological improvements, behavioral methods, and cost-benefit analyses. Learn more from the project’s Water Reduction Report.

Events

Environmental Frontiers hosts events to share progress and map out the future of energy research and sustainability on campus. Join us at our upcoming events, and watch past events:

People

Faculty Leads

Elisabeth Moyer, Associate Professor, Atmospheric Science, Department of Geophysical Sciences

Sabina Shaikh, Senior Instructional Professor, Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU)

Student Research Assistants

Meet the EFCampus Research Assistants. EFCampus is the campus-based component of the Environmental Frontiers initiative, enabling students to use campus data as a case study for understanding a path to a more sustainable future. Undergraduate Research Assistants will work remotely in partnership with the University of Chicago’s Facilities Services’ Office of Sustainability, the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU), the Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP), and the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation on projects analyzing energy system data to consider opportunities to create energy-savings and reduce excess consumption on campus and beyond.

Praveen Mohankumar

Praveen N. Mohankumar

Graduate Student Lead

Praveen N. Mohankumar is a master’s graduate in applied data science and marketing/product strategy. With 9 years of experience in the life science consulting sector, Praveen has a proven track record as a strategic consultant and product analytics principal with ZoomRx & Trinity Life Sciences. He has adeptly managed teams and collaborated with C-suite executives and startups to drive successful new product launches & marketing strategy. Praveen’s expertise in strategy and operations, combined with his deep industry knowledge, enables him to deliver impactful solutions and guide organizations toward achieving their business objectives. This summer, he will be collaborating with scientists and managing undergraduate research focusing on data, strategy, and sustainability to leverage his extensive experience.

Anushka Guru

Anushka Guru

Heat Mapping

Anushka Guru is an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago majoring in environmental science & biology (with a specialization in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology) on the pre-health preprofessional track. Prior to this experience, she has spent most of her time doing hands-on field work, ranging from organizing and executing tree planting initiatives across the country to helping coordinate electronic waste collection initiatives across the Midwest. She has worked across themes such as science education, recycling, and environmental impacts on global health, particularly in effects on children’s growth.

Aidan Long

Aidan Long

Freezer Challenge & Lab Standard Operating Procedure

Aidan Long is an economics and data science double major interested in data analysis and synthesis as well as energy markets and energy research. His other school activities include playing rugby for the university as well as being a member of the Undergraduate Election and Rules committee. Outside of school, he enjoys working out, traveling, and experiencing new things.

Anjali Subramaniam

Andrew McGallian

Heat Mapping

Andrew McGallian is an undergraduate at the University of Chicago majoring in environmental science with a minor in GIS. He is interested in addressing energy and environmental challenges, with a focus on climate change, sustainability, and conservation. Andrew is particularly interested in the intersection of environmental policy and law. Considering a future in law school or a master’s program, he aims to specialize in energy or environmental law and policy. His GIS background complements his environmental focus, providing him with valuable tools for informed decision-making in environmental policy or analysis.

Maya McWilliams

Maya McWilliams

Freezer Challenge and Lab Standard Operating Procedure

Maya McWilliams is an undergrad at UChicago studying environmental and urban studies and political science. She’s interested in the sociology of urban planning, urban commons, and sustainability. She writes for UChicago’s Expositions Magazine. Before attending the university, she took a gap year, during which she worked on a sustainable urban farm in Santa Cruz.

Alex Rogers

Alex Rodgers

Freezer Challenge and Lab Standard Operating Procedure

Alex Rodgers is an incoming second year majoring in economics and computer science. More specifically, he’s interested in using algorithms and economic models and to tackle energy efficiency issues through a financial lens. He is also a member of the UChicago debate team and climate club, and is passionate about advocating for sustainable investment. This summer, he’s excited to collaborate with other undergraduate students to come as close as possible to optimizing energy use on campus.
Carolynn Sagi

Carolynn (CJ) Sagi

Heat Mapping

Pietro Stabile

Pietro Stabile

Heat Mapping

Pietro Stabile is an undergraduate at the University of Chicago majoring in computer science and economics. He has previously worked with software as a research assistant, and he is currently a private tutor for high school students. He is also a member of the Phoenix Sustainability Initiative’s Green Data project team at the University, which has researched and advocated for cleaner institutional practices. Pietro is interested in using computer science to advance environmental sustainability

Anushka Guru

Abigail Starr

Shut the Sash

Abigail Starr is a fourth-year majoring in data science with a minor in German. She is passionate about data visualization and machine learning and looks forward to building these skills with her EFCampus team. Before this experience, she mapped CAFOs across the US using large datasets and computer vision software. During the academic year, she serves as Delta Gamma’s VP Communications and a Teaching Assistant for the Data Science department.

Anjali Subramaniam

Anjali Subramanian

Shut the Sash

Anjali Subramanian is a third-year majoring in environmental science and biology. She is interested in sustainable urban development and renewable energy. She has previously worked in labs researching plant immune responses and soil chemistry, and with environmental advocacy organizations including the Sunrise Movement. This summer, she is excited to develop her research and analytical skills while furthering sustainability at UChicago.

Staff

Alicia Berg, Assistant Vice President, Campus Planning + Sustainability, Facilities Services Office of Sustainability

Brian Bozell, Senior Director, Energy Programs, Facilities Services

Aimee Giles, Associate Director of Events & Programs, Mansueto Institute

Henock Kidanu, Campus Energy Manager, Facilities Services

Heidi Lee, Operations Manager, Mansueto Institute

Maureen McMahon, Communications and Engagement Specialist, Facilities Services Office of Sustainability

Elaine Meyer, Communications Manager, Mansueto Institute

Mark Meyers, Director of Building Trades, Facilities Operations

Sara Popenhagen, Sustainability Manager, Facilities Services Office of Sustainability

Seth Severns, Education Director, Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy

Heather Smith, Environmental Health and Safety

Cheryl Weyant, Mansueto Institute Postdoctoral Fellow and Department of the Geophysical Sciences in the Physical Sciences Division Postdoctoral Scholar

Brian Wilson, Executive Director, Mansueto Institute

Learn more about our student research assistants.

To learn more about the University of Chicago’s broader sustainability initiatives, visit sustainability.uchicago.edu.