Institute on the Environment names four College of Science and Engineering faculty as resident fellows

Faculty step up to the task of solving environmental challenges through interdisciplinary work

Contact:

Mary Hoff, Institute on the Environment, maryhoff@umn.edu, 612-626-2670

Rhonda Zurn, College of Science and Engineering, rzurn@umn.edu, 612-626-7959 

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (8/22/12)—Four College of Science and Engineering faculty are among the eleven University of Minnesota faculty from 10 departments and five colleges and schools have been named resident fellows of the Institute on the Environment.

Representing a broad range of disciplines, the new fellows join 47 others in taking on the task of building bridges across disciplines to solve environmental challenges.

Fellows maintain their appointment in their own departments, but receive additional funding to pursue projects that cross disciplinary boundaries. The fellowships also help accelerate professional and leadership development.

"This program is intended to give exceptional faculty the jump-start they need to break through barriers to collaboration and seek 'outside the box' environmental solutions,” says IonE director Jonathan Foley. “These great teachers and researchers were chosen for their creativity and willingness to try new ideas. We're thrilled to welcome them to the Institute community."

The 2012 Institute on the Environment resident fellows from the College of Science and Engineering and their plans for their fellowships include:

John S. Gulliver, head, Department of Civil Engineering in the College of Science and Engineering - collaborate with faculty across the University of Minnesota on the Improving Urban Vegetation for Water Quality initiative, create an annual conference on stormwater research, and instruct and develop coursework for the Acara and Peace Corps Masters International degree programs.

Peter Seiler, assistant professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics in the College of Science and Engineering - research engineering challenges surrounding renewable energy policy issues and develop ways to reduce the cost of wind energy through the use of advanced sensors and algorithms.

Mihailo Jovanovic, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Science and Engineering - provide research and development of cost-effective wind and tidal energy harvesting as well as fuel-ef