Institute News

Advanced degree candidates were honored by the Golisano Institute for Sustainability during commencement ceremonies in May.

The Reducing Embodied-Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute has selected 12 new projects for funding, including two involving Rochester Institute of Technology. “The selection process was highly competitive,” said Magdi Azer, REMADE’s chief technology officer. “We received many comprehensive submissions that addressed our technical focus areas. Ultimately these 12 projects, totaling $5.9 million in public-private investments, ...

Intersections: The RIT Podcast, Ep. 14: Growing up in India, Shahana Althaf thought earning a doctorate was a distant dream. Despite potential roadblocks, she persevered and will receive her Ph.D. from RIT’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability on May 10. Shahana talks with Associate Professor Callie Babbitt about how she overcame cultural pressures and the challenges of balancing home life with a young child to fulfill her dreams.

Images of plastic bags and bottles clogging beaches and oceans have some calling for a ban on all such products. But packaging experts say it’s not that easy to eliminate a highly effective material. Instead, researchers at RIT are looking to strike a balance: Find a way to produce plastics that retain their best qualities and yet are more environmentally friendly.

Imagine RIT visitors interested in learning about electric and hybrid-electric bikes get to participate in an interactive exhibit and discussion on the growing travel mode inside the Golisano Institute for Sustainability on April 27.

CNET quotes Callie Babbitt, associate professor of sustainability.

WXXI’s “Connections” program features Nana-Yaw Andoh, assistant professor of architecture.

RIT honored researchers who served as principal investigators on active awards in fiscal year 2018 at an April 11 reception. Also recognized were the 20 recipients of Seed Funding Awards and 12 new inductees in RIT’s PI Millionaires. 

Point2Homes talks to Nana-Yaw Andoh, assistant professor in the Master of Architecture program, about the ways in which growing cities expand. 

Intersections: The RIT Podcast, Ep. 7: What becomes of unharvested crops, apples that grocery stores don’t sell, leftovers from a banquet? Food waste is a global issue with social, economic and environmental implications. Associate professors of sustainability Callie Babbitt and Tom Trabold discuss the problem and offer some practical and personal solutions that are helping influence public policy.

The Golisano Institute for Sustainability is employing food waste treatment technology and equipment in its new food waste utilization testbed—the goal of which is to share results with businesses—by using excess food from RIT’s dining halls.

Rethinking how industrial products are manufactured and dealing with them at the end of their useful life could provide breakthrough environmental, social and economic benefits, according to new research from the International Resource Panel.