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Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

The mission of the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy is to advance global sustainability and energy solutions through transformational research, interdisciplinary education, and public engagement.

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Prof. Sera Young at COP28

Water and Our Well-Being

March 14, 2024
Trienens Institute Faculty Affiliate and Professor Sera Young reflects on her work to develop Water Insecurity Experiences (WISE) Scales to capture universal experiences with water access and use
PEARL water cleaning technology

Soaking Up Chicago’s Stormwater Pollution

March 8, 2024
A team of Northwestern researchers has designed the ‘PEARL’ media, a sponge-based platform with a special coating that has an affinity for pollutants found in the Chicago area
Kirsten James Headshot

Prioritizing the Value of Water

March 4, 2024
Environmental science alumna Kirsten James (WCAS ’00) leads the Value Water Finance Initiative at Ceres, engaging nearly 100 institutional investors worth $17.5 trillion to combat water resource risk globally
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About the Trienens Institute

Collaboration across disciplines and organizations for a sustainable future.

We ask questions that lead to new insights and discoveries.

Discover a diverse range of groundbreaking research initiatives centered in the Trienens Institute, stemming from cutting-edge team science across disciplines. Engage with leading scholars and explore innovative projects that address complex societal issues and push the boundaries of knowledge. 

Research Profiles
What's in Your Water? The Health Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Meet Our Faculty
Meet our diverse faculty who approach complex local and global sustainability and energy challenges with interdisciplinary insights.

Research Spotlight
The Tobin Marks Group partners with GIANTFab Lab for various projects enhancing solar cell production.

Empowering minds for a sustainable future.

Students prepare to be future leaders through coursework and experiential opportunities in sustainability and energy at Northwestern University. The Trienens Institute collaborates across academic departments and with industry to administer an Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability and Energy plus a Master’s of Science in Energy and Sustainability. Additional programs include study abroad and research initiatives. Students engage with renowned faculty from across the University and industry to learn how to make a meaningful impact on society's most pressing challenges.

Student Profile
Northwestern senior discusses the Trienens Institute certificate experience.

Study Abroad Spotlight
Trek to Germany opens eyes of engineering students.

Collaboration is vital to the mission of the Trienens Institute.

Innovative teams bring their unique strengths together to produce transformational research and education initiatives. Alumni play a key role in carrying this mission into the world and giving back to support the next generation. Explore how we foster meaningful partnerships with organizations and individuals to address complex challenges and create lasting positive change in the world.

Annual Symposium
Insights from the 2022 Trienens Institute annual symposium.

Alumni Profile
Meet Yuxi Suo (TGS '18), former graduate student in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern.

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Upcoming Events

Mar
18
2024

REACT Core Facility "For the General User" Series

12:00 PM Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Join members of the Reactor Engineering and Catalyst Testing (REACT) Core Facility for an event series "For the General ...
Mar
25
2024

REACT Core Facility "For the General User" Series

12:00 PM Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Join members of the Reactor Engineering and Catalyst Testing (REACT) Core Facility for an event series "For the General ...
Mar
28
2024

PEPH Hybrid Event: Micro- and Nanoplastics in Marine Sediment: Detecting Particles and Assessing Impacts on Benthic Communities

11:00 AM Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library), 2233 Tech Drive
The Program on Plastics, Ecosystems, and Public Health (PEPH) will host Marissa Giroux, Research Biologist, U.S. Environ...

Featured Event

Kellogg Leading the Charge event logo

2024 Kellogg Climate Conference

April 10, 2024

Attend "Leading the Charge: Redefining Business Strategy for a Changing Climate" to learn from leaders and experts across functions and industries during keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions covering topics from emerging climate tech solutions, climate equity, and government policy Learn more