grants

SEED2SOIL Research Grants

July 16, 2022

The SEED2SOIL program aims to leverage the world-class research capacity of the University of Utah to generate ideas and knowledge that can improve campus operations while also contributing broader knowledge and/or application.

2022 Awards
HVAC:
  • Networked indoor air quality measurements at the University of Utah
    • Kerry Kelly, Chemical Engineering; Pierre-Emmanuel Gaillardon, Electrical & Computer Engineering; Darrah Sleeth, Family & Preventive Medicine; Jianli Chen, Civil Engineering; Tony Saad, Chemical Engineering
  • Workforce and Modeling-based Engineering Solution Development for HVAC Inefficiency Auditing in Campus Buildings

    • Jianli Chen, Civil Engineering; Kody Powell, Chemical Engineering

  • Optimizing HVAC for Carbon, Cost and Comfort
    • Todd Easton, Mechanical Engineering
  • Quantifying the Impact of Outdoor Air Pollution on Indoor Air Quality at University of Utah Buildings
    • Daniel Mendoza, Atmospheric Sciences; Tabitha Benney, Political Science
Transportation:
  • U-Walk: A Walk Audit Tool to Facilitate Student Learning and Improve Walking Safety on Campus
    • Andy Hong, City & Metropolitan Planning; Tom Millar College of Architecture & Planning
  • Quantifying the carbon and air quality footprint of the University of Utah using TRAX-mounted instrumentation, traffic, and tap-on/tap-off ridership data
    • John Lin, Derek Mallia, Daniel Mendoza, Atmospheric Sciences
Waste, Recycling and Compost:
  • Upcycle Soft Plastic Wastes to Filament for 3D Printing On Campus

    • Chen Wang, Materials Science and Engineering

SEED2SOIL Research Grants

April 12, 2022

A new grant program called SEED2SOIL is a collaborative effort from the University of Utah’s Facilities Sustainability & Energy group; Planning, Design, & Construction; the Sustainability Office; and the Global Change and Sustainability Center. SEED2SOIL seeks to focus a wide array of campus expertise toward achieving ambitious improvements in the sustainability and efficiency of campus operations.

This program aims to leverage the world-class research capacity of the University of Utah to generate ideas and knowledge that can improve campus operations while also contributing broader knowledge and/or application. Funds realized from savings through campus efficiency improvements and upgrades will be made available for research grants to advance innovation and research-based decision-making at the U. It is anticipated that this RFP will occur twice annually.

Here are the 2022 awardees.

Read more about the program here.

Wasatch Environmental Observatory Seed Grant Awards

February 10, 2022

The GCSC recently provided seed grants to four research teams to conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Wasatch Front air, water, and health. Criteria that was considered in funding decisions included utilization of Wasatch Environmental Observatory (WEO) data resources, inclusion of ecological and/or environmental justice perspectives, collaborations between academic units, and new scholarship or knowledge. These four projects engage 15 faculty from across ten different departments, seven graduate students, students in an undergraduate class, and community partners.

The projects and investigators are:

  • The Compounding Impacts of Climate Change, Air Quality, and Environmental Justice on Health Outcomes at the Neighborhood level in Salt Lake County Schools
    • Tabitha Benney, Political Science; Brett Clark,Sociology; Daniel Mendoza and John Horel, Atmospheric Sciences; Rajive Ganguli, Mining Engineering; Scott Collingwood, Yue Zhang, and Cheryl S. Pirozzi, MD, School of Medicine
  • Landscape Lab Effects on Pollutant Loads to Red Butte Creek
    • Jennifer Follstad Shah, Environmental & Sustainability Studies; Sarah HInners, City & Metropolitan Planning
  • Climate Change, Parks and Trails, and Physical Activity
    • Dennis Wei, Geography; Ivis Garcia, City & Metropolitan Planning, Ming Wen, Sociology
  • In Search of Blue Sky
    • Wendy Wischer, Art & Art History; John Lin, Atmospheric Sciences