Evanston, June 2026 – Ten interdisciplinary teams at Northwestern University recently competed for $200,000 in seed funding to launch pilot projects at the intersection of environmental quality and human health. The initiative, led by Jennifer Dunn, professor of chemical and biological engineering and director of the Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience, aims to connect faculty across disciplines and prepare them for future funding opportunities while delivering near-term societal impact.
Supported by the Office of the Provost, the competition reflects Northwestern’s growing momentum in sustainability research and education, aligning with priorities on decarbonization, renewable energy, and resilience. Each team was required to include members from more than one school, showcasing the University’s strength in interdisciplinarity.
A five-judge panel, including faculty leaders and external experts from the MacArthur Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and a climate tech investor, evaluated the proposals. Teams pitched projects with the goal of demonstrating measurable environmental and health impacts within two years.
Three winning projects were selected. A team led by Robert Weinstock at the Pritzker School of Law will receive $71,000 to study the environmental and health impacts of a proposed mega railroad merger in Chicago’s Englewood community. Another project, led by Giorgia Chinazzo of McCormick, will also receive $71,000 to investigate how elevated indoor temperatures and humidity affect microbiome-mediated health outcomes. The third project, led by David Victorson of Feinberg School of Medicine, will receive $58,000 to explore the health benefits of spending time in nature using biomarkers and portable sensors.
Over the next 18 months, each team will publish peer-reviewed findings, share results beyond academic circles, and pursue external funding. The initiative underscores Northwestern’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing global challenges in sustainability and public health.
