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Sustainability

  1. Whitworth University
  2. About Whitworth
  3. Sustainability
  4. Research

Research

The process of education will emphasize active, inquiry-based learning and real-world problem solving on the campus and in the larger community. For example, as part of the curriculum, the learning experience for students would include working on actual, real-world problems facing their campus, community, government and industry. The process would also increase group work and learning so graduates will be able to collaborate effectively on complex problems as future managers and leaders.

Current Faculty Research in Sustainability

Science

  1. Green-Chemistry (Breno) – developing environmentally benign chemical catalysts
  2. Pollutant Sensors (Budner) – developing electrochemical sensors for chemicals of environmental interest
  3. Bioredmediation (Caccavo) – developing bacterial strains to trap heavy-metals and halogenated hydrocarbons from entering groundwater

Social Policy/Practice

  1. Green entrepreneurship (Alberts) – developing "green business" course
  2. Green living (Inwegen) – developing practical and sustainable life-style practices

Comments

Student-faculty collaborations are already in place and students have presented their research at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference:

  • Morse, Dustin. 2006. "Adhesion and reduction rates in Shewanella oneidesis MR-1." (sponsor: Caccavo)
  • Bower, Brittney. 2006. "Dies-Alder and ring opening metathesis polymerization reactions in an undergraduate laboratory." (sponsor: Breno)
  • Miller, Jennifer. 2006. "Investigation of the speciation of an aquated ansa-molydocene." (sponsor: Breno)
  • Wall, Seth. 2006. "Preparation and characterization of air-sensitive, water-soluable organochromium catalyst." (sponsor: Breno)
  • Peterson, Chelsea. 2006. "The goal of sustainable development." (sponsor: Inwegen)

Other opportunities, especially in areas of public policy and the theology of environmental responsibility, for student-faculty research collaborations remain to be explored.

Short Term (1 year) Opportunities to Increase Research

R1. Encourage more student involvement in student projects (financial incentive for students?)

R2. Research conference session on sustainability issues

R3. Faculty reading group

Long Term (2-5 years)

RL1. Educational programs/Establish program with this focus (EnvironmentalStudies/Science)

RL2. Establish endowment or other funding source to encourage faculty and student research in sustainability-related subjects