Earth and Environmental Systems
Projects in this launchpad focus on the state of our planet’s ecosystems. Researchers collect data on current conditions and on changes in the environment. This work helps us understand how climate change is affecting our planet over time.
Coral Biodiversity and Conservation in Indonesia’s Coral Triangle
PIs: Carly Kenkel, Wilford and Daris Zinsmeyer Early Career Chair in Marine Studies and associate professor of biological sciences; Adib Mustofa, Ph.D. student in marine and environmental biology
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Earth and Environmental Systems
More About this Research
Visit the Cnidarian Evolutionary Ecology (CEE) Lab website >>
Story: How to help save coral reefs
Story: Surprising discovery about coral genetics and resilience
Coral Restoration and Resiliency in the Dominican Republic
PI: Carly Kenkel, Wilford and Daris Zinsmeyer Early Career Chair in Marine Studies and associate professor of biological sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Funded by the Mary Gard Jameson Foundation
Research Launchpad: Earth and Environmental Systems
More About this Research
Visit the Cnidarian Evolutionary Ecology (CEE) Lab website >>
Effects of Sea Level Rise on Carbon-Capturing Estuarine Bacteria
PI: Cameron Thrash, associate professor of biological sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Earth and Environmental Systems
Cross-Cutting Initiative: Climate and Carbon Management
More About This Research
Visit the Thrash Lab website >>
Story: What is ‘blue carbon’? Inside USC research on carbon capture
Environmental DNA and Biodiversity
PI: John Heidelberg, Director, Wrigley Marine Science Center and professor of biological sciences and environmental studies
USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability in collaboration with Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
Sponsored by the Das Family
Research Launchpad: Earth and Environmental Systems
Genetics and Evolution of the Channel Island Fox
PI: Suzanne Edmands, professor of biological sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Sponsored by the Offield Family Foundation
Research Launchpad: Earth and Environmental Systems
More About this Research
Visit the Edmands Lab website >>
Story: USC, Natural History Museum collaborate on fox survival
Paper: Genomic recovery and demographic recovery in the Channel Island fox
Paper: Effect of geography and captivity on Channel Island fox microbiome
San Pedro Ocean Time-Series
PI: John Heidelberg, Director, Wrigley Marine Science Center and professor of biological sciences and environmental studies
USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability
Research Launchpad: Earth and Environmental Systems
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The San Pedro Ocean Time-series (SPOT) is a signature Wrigley Institute research project that conducts long-term monitoring of Southern California’s San Pedro Channel.
It is the only ocean time-series in the world that is located so close to a large city and has been in operation since 1998.
Applied Environmental Solutions
Think of this launchpad as our research-and-development arm for the environment. These projects test possible solutions to environment and sustainability problems. They help us determine which options will have the greatest impact for good.
Accelerating Alkalinity Reactions for Carbon Capture and Storage
PI: Seth John, associate professor of Earth Sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Applied Environmental Solutions
Cross-Cutting Initiative: Climate and Carbon Management
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Biologically Inspired Materials for Solar-to-Fuel Technologies
PI: Smaranda Marinescu, associate professor of chemistry
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Applied Environmental Solutions
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Ocean Impacts of Emerging Carbon Sequestration Methodologies
PI: William Berelson, Paxson H. Offield Professor in Coastal and Marine Systems and professor of Earth sciences, environmental studies, and spatial sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Applied Environmental Solutions
Cross-Cutting Initiative: Climate and Carbon Management
More About this Research
Visit the Berelson Lab website >>
Story: Ocean-inspired tech to speed carbon capture from ships
Upcycling Ocean Plastics Into Sustainable Detergents and Dyes
PIs: Richard W. Roberts, professor of chemical engineering and materials science; Clay C.C. Wang, chair and professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences; Travis J. Williams, professor of chemistry
USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability in collaboration with USC Sea Grant; USC Viterbi School of Engineering; USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science; and USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Research Launchpad: Applied Environmental Solutions
Cross-Cutting Initiative: Future of Plastics
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Social Transformation
Clean Streets, Clean Seas
PIs: Amalia Almada, extension program leader, adjunct assistant professor (research) of environmental studies; Jill Murray, water quality scientist
USC Sea Grant in collaboration with City of Santa Barbara
Supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Cross-Cutting Initiative: Future of Plastics
Research Launchpad: Social Transformation
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Consumer Attitudes Toward Trash-Derived Products
PIs: Joe Árvai, Director, Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Dana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology, professor of environmental studies and biological sciences; Karla Heidelberg, Director, USC Sea Grant, professor of the practice of biological sciences and environmental studies
USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability in collaboration with USC Sea Grant
Supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Research Launchpad: Social Transformation
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Effects of Climate Risk on the Real Estate Industry
PI: Matthew Kahn, Provost Professor of economics and spatial sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Social Transformation
More About This Research
Story: Californians affected by climate-triggered insurance changes
Story: Faculty shift the conversation on climate change
Paper: The Impact of Climate Risk Disclosure on Housing Search and Buying Dynamics
Equity in Marine Debris Prevention
PIs: Amalia Almada, extension program leader, adjunct assistant professor (research) of environmental studies (USC); Theresa Sinicrope Talley, academic coordinator (UCSD)
USC Sea Grant in collaboration with University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Cross-Cutting Initiative: Future of Plastics
Research Launchpad: Social Transformation
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Establishing a Los Angeles River Observatory
PI: Alexander Robinson, associate professor of landscape architecture
USC School of Architecture
Research Launchpad: Social Transformation
More About this Research
Visit the oOR, LMLab website >>
Story: Three USC schools collaborate to reimagine the L.A. River
Improving Water Security in Urban Environments
PI: Paulina Oliva, professor of economics and spatial sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Research Launchpad: Social Transformation
This project seeks to improve the use of rainwater capture systems for urban residents who are especially vulnerable to water scarcity.
Looking for Research Funding?
The Wrigley Institute offers funding to support USC faculty and graduate students pursuing innovative research along environmental and sustainability themes. Depending on the program, awards range from $5,000-$50,000 and are offered on one- and two-year cycles.