By Ashlyn Brulato
On April 5, the Earth Institute will host its annual Student Research Conference. This event highlights current undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students who are conducting research on the environment and sustainable development. This year’s projects cover topics in biodiversity, climate change, earth science, health, and community and international development.
The 2019 participants have a wide range of backgrounds including marine science, sanitation, and economics. They represent a variety of programs offered at Columbia University including the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development, the MS in Sustainability Management Program, and the PhD in Sustainable Development, among others.
Many of this year’s research projects focus on issues being faced in New York itself. Students have investigated the impact of carbon pricing at the university, food apartheid in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and the increase in participation of low-income seniors in energy efficiency programs throughout New York State. Other scholars have broadened their scope to include other parts of the United States, while some turned internationally to address issues being faced in South Asia, the Caribbean, Israel, Peru, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Rwanda.
The majority of the projects presented at the showcase are conducted by students who have received some form of support, guidance, or funding through an Earth Institute-affiliated education or student program. These programs include travel grants, internships, and research assistantships from the Institute.
The showcase will kick off with a short video featuring interviews with a selection of students talking about their research.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn about the groundbreaking work being done by students at the Earth Institute. Join us on April 5 from 2:00–4:00 pm in Lerner Hall! RSVP here.
To learn more about the Research Showcase and the Earth Institute, visit the showcase website.
Ashlyn Brulato is an intern for Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development at the Earth Institute, Columbia University. She is a graduate student at Columbia University and will graduate in 2020 with a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management.
This post was updated on 4/5/2019 with a new video link.
