2025 Posters
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3M and the Future of Recycled Polypropylene — Stephanie Oliveras Santos
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Active Transportation and Madison’s Sustainability Plan — Hayley Froseth & Niamh Prentiss
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Agrivoltaics: Combining Agriculture and Solar Energy for Efficient Land Use — Vivian Wanjing
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Akari Earth: Transforming Vacant Buildings into Sustainable Housing — Jeffrey Mariner
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Bioblitz at Lakeshore Nature Preserve — Damschen Lab
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Sustainability Investment — Tola Klabough
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Broadening the Scope: Students Exploring Scope 3 Emissions in Higher Education — Office of Sustainability Academic Research & Writing Team
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Corporate Sustainability Internship at Ramboll — Anna Mello
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Ecological Roles of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve — Sarah Graves
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Flax and Bioplastic Composites: Toward a Regional Fibershed — John Hendrickson
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Green Events Certification at UW–Madison — Office of Sustainability Green Events Team
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Green Labs: Implementing My Green Lab Certification on Campus — Office of Sustainability Green Labs Team
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Green Office Program: Making Campus Workspaces More Sustainable — Nate Dancer / Office of Sustainability Green Office Team
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Holistic Steel Systems: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment — Garrison Keller
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How Much Do Plant Trait Values Differ Between Collection Sites? — Sonia Jezierski
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Implementing Solar Picnic Tables on Campus — Amanda Sadowski
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Introduction to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve — Bryn Scriver
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Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center — Brad Herrick
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LCA of the Electrochemical Manufacturing of Acetic Acid via CO Reduction in a Porous Solid-State Electrolyte Reactor — Katrina Santos
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Linking Living and Learning through the Resident Sustainability Ambassador Program — Seri Sanches & Nadia Eull
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Mapping the UN Sustainable Development Goals at UW–Madison — Audrey Stanton
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Multiscale Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Surfactant-Based Plastics De-Inking — Ali Altamimi
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Recovery of Polymers from Municipal Solid Waste — Lily Callen
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Reducing Pollution from Coal Power: A Path Toward Cleaner Air and a Healthier Climate — Vedaa Vandavasi
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Resource Recovery from Desalination Brine — Fadhel Alrabiah
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Scan Design Foundation Sustainability Tour — 2025 Scan Design Fellows
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Scope 3 Emissions: Comparing Methods for Estimating Downstream Waste Emissions Using a University Case Study — Sofia Abad
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Solar Energy Exhibit at the Arboretum — Eliana Bernat
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Strategic Campus Sustainability Communication Practices — Office of Sustainability Communications Team
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Sustain-a-Bash and Earth Fest: Comparing Two Campus Sustainability Events — Office of Sustainability Education and Outreach Team
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Sustainability Research Hub — Melanie Hebl
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Sustainable Design of Plastic Waste Management Systems: Multilayer Film Case Study — Paola Muñoz Briones
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The SustainUW Podcast: Building a Platform for Campus Sustainability — Office of Sustainability Podcast Team
2025 presenter information coming soon!
UW–Madison’s Environmental Sustainability Goals
By: Alex Frank This poster will describe the 5 environmental sustainability goals announced by the Chancellor in February and the work the Office of Sustainability is doing to achieve these ambitious goals.
I have a background in sustainability planning, program management, cross-sector innovation, and data management. As a Project Portfolio Manager, I support budget management, status tracking, leadership updates, and intra-office processes and coordination. Prior to my current position, I led data collection and analysis for the Office of Sustainability. Before joining UW–Madison, I led pilot project development for City Tech Collaborative, a Chicago-based non-profit focused on developing new technology to improve city services and resident lives. I received a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Conservation Biology from Boston University. I also hold a Project Management Professional Certification.
Open Source and Sustainability
By: Allison Kittinger This poster will present an overview of the role of open source technologies in advancing sustainability.
Allison Kittinger is the Open Source Program Office Manager in the Data Science Institute at UW–Madison.
Open Source and Sustainability
By: Anupreksha We used a combination of low-cost high-throughput computer vision and machine learning powered tools and individual tag tracking to investigate the sublethal effects of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid, and flupyradifurone, a novel butanolide insecticide, on bumble bee nesting, foraging activity, and flower visitation in a semi-field environment.
Anupreksha is an entomology graduate student at UW–Madison, where she works with Dr. James Crall on global change and pollination ecology in agroecosystems. Her research uses computer vision based tools to investigate the mechanistic effects of anthropogenic stressors such as pesticide exposure and drought on pollinator behavior, health, and efficacy. She is originally from India, and earned a BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University. She is passionate about building community across departments and universities to facilitate interdisciplinary understanding of complex socio-ecological issues.
Transition to a Sustainable Future: A Integrated Perspective from the Chemical and Power Sectors
By: Ashley McCullough The transition to a decarbonized future will require a paradigm shift in the way electricity is distributed and used in the US. This work explores the coupling of flexible loads from the chemical sector with electricity markets of the power sector to highlight a profitable path toward sustainable energy infrastructures.
Originally from Lumberport, West Virginia, Ashley completed her B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Pure Mathematics from West Virginia University. During her studies in the Control, Optimization, and Design for Energy and Sustainability (CODES) Research Group, she developed algorithms that leverage existing land infrastructure and locational weather factors to propose and analyze the siting of potential renewable power plants in Appalachia. Additionally, Ashley has experience in industrial R&D engineering consulting, having developed advanced process control techniques and led design of experiments for a variety of client processes. In Fall 2023, Ashley began pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, and joined both the Circular Economy Systems Engineering Group and the Scalable Systems Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her current research focuses on multi-scale modeling and optimization of power grid electricity market participation for decarbonizing devices in the chemical sector.
Mapping the UN Sustainable Development Goals at UW–Madison
By: Audrey Stanton At UW–Madison, sustainability is an ongoing, collaborative effort between students, staff, and faculty, and you can find sustainability in action all around campus. The Campus Sustainability Map enables you to explore campus sustainability features such as solar panels, certified Green Offices, cultural centers, water efficiency upgrades, and learning communities.
Audrey Stanton is a PhD student in the Environment and Resources program at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Her research interests include campus sustainability, sustainability education, and life cycle assessment. As a project assistant with the Office of Sustainability, Audrey supports the undergraduate internship program, Green Fund, and campus sustainability map. Audrey received an Environment and Resources M.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an Environmental and Sustainability Sciences B.S. from Cornell University. In her free time, Audrey enjoys trips to the local farmers’ markets, exploring Madison’s natural areas, and cooking delicious dinners with friends.
Oxidation of Hydroformylated Plastic Oil to Produce Long Chain Acids
By: Brandon Tipton Plastics are an ever-growing waste source. We can catalytically upgrade these plastics through pyrolysis followed by hydroformylation producing high value commodity chemicals. Pyrolysis converts plastics into olefins that after hydroformylation become aldehydes. To add more value oxidation can be performed to give a final acid product. These acids can be used as surfactants.
I am a second year PhD student in the CBE department working as a Huber group member here at UW–Madison. Before arriving at graduate school, I got my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas. My research is on sustainable catalysis with a focus on plastic upcycling. Outside of the lab I really enjoy playing pickleball, and I am looking forward to trying skiing for the first time this coming winter.
UW–Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve: Outdoor Learning is our Point!
By: Bryn Scriver The Lakeshore Nature Preserve is an outdoor classroom and place for respite and well-being right on the UW–Madison campus. Learn about teaching and learning opportunities, our student grant program, stewardship and ecological restoration, and volunteer opportunities.
Bryn Scriver is part of a small team that helps manage the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. She is responsible for recruiting and supervising volunteers in land management work as well as promoting the Preserve through the Preserve website, social media, and newsletter. She has a M.S. in Land Resources from the UW–Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and 20 years of land management experience.
Green Events Certification Program Overview
The poster will feature the work of the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Events team, which helps organizers reduce their events’ environmental impact through a one-step certification process. By focusing on areas like waste reduction and transportation, the program empowers organizers to make their events more sustainable.
The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Events Team 2024-2025 cohort consists of six student interns: Giann Benedict Abang studying Community and Environmental Sociology; Jordyn Czyzewski studying Landscape and Urban Studies, People-Environment Geography, and Environmental Studies; Julia Fechner studying Community & Environmental Sociology and Landscape & Urban Studies; Brynne Hill studying Environmental Studies and Spanish; Ian Patch studying Finance, Investment, & Banking, Risk Management & Insurance, and Environmental Studies; Bailey Tomsich studying Electrical Engineering. As interns, our goal is to equip and educate UW–Madison employees to incorporate sustainable practices into their workspaces, fostering a campus community committed to meaningful sustainability.
UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Labs Intern Team
This poster provides an overview of the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Labs intern team. The Green Labs team acts as project managers by utilizing resources from a third-party organization, My Green Lab, to help campus laboratories adopt more sustainable practices.
The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Intern Green Labs team is composed of 6 students in the 2024-2025 intern cohort: Bailey Tomsich, studying Electrical Engineering; Chandler Wells, studying Environmental Sciences & Life Sciences Communication; Audrey Davies, studying Environmental Studies & Political Science; Caroline Arciszewski, studying Environmental Sciences; Ian Patch, studying Finance, Investment, and Banking, Risk Management and Insurance, & Environmental Studies; Vibha Srinivasan, studying Economics. As interns, we provide consultation services to UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff through information and tools they need to better understand the impacts of their practices and create healthy and sustainable laboratory environments.
Green Office Certification Program Overview
The poster will highlight the work of the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Office team, which supports offices of all sizes in becoming more sustainable through a one-level certification process. The program helps employees understand how their actions impact the environment and guides them in creating healthier, more sustainable workplaces.
The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Office Team 2024-2025 cohort consists of six student interns: Giann Benedict Abang studying Community and Environmental Sociology; Jordyn Czyzewski studying Landscape and Urban Studies, People-Environment Geography, and Environmental Studies; Julia Fechner studying Community & Environmental Sociology and Landscape & Urban Studies; Brynne Hill studying Environmental Studies and Spanish; Ian Patch studying Finance, Investment, & Banking, Risk Management & Insurance, and Environmental Studies; Bailey Tomsich studying Electrical Engineering. As interns, our goal is to equip and educate UW–Madison employees to incorporate sustainable practices into their workspaces, fostering a campus community committed to meaningful sustainability.
Structure of Single-ion Conducting Polymer Blend Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries
By: Hsin-Ju (Jenny) Wu A novel class of polymer electrolytes, single-ion conducting polymer blend electrolytes (SIPBE), is generated by blending two distinct classes of polymers together. The results will provide insight into the structure of the SIPBEs and the development of next-generation polymer batteries.
Jenny is a third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is currently using X-ray/neutron scattering and spectroscopy to probe the nanostructure and ion correlation of polymer electrolytes under the supervision of Prof. Whitney Loo. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2020) and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (2022) at National Taiwan University. During her undergraduate studies, she did internship in Performance Materials division at BASF, working on plastics market. She is interested in applying polymers into sustainable energy storage systems. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and watching dramas.
Equity Solution or Just Hot Air: Adoption Impacts of Income Targeted Heat Pump Incentives
By: Jake Shimkus Erickson This work identifies how income-targeted incentives affect the adoption of residential heat pumps, a critical technology for sustainable building electrification. Using spatial regression discontinuity design, the analysis finds that targeted incentives drive increased adoption, but this effect is limited to moderate-income segments while very-low-income households do not increase adoption.
Jake Erickson is a PhD student at UW Madison researching the equity and efficiency impacts of climate and sustainability policies. His research emphasizes the tradeoff between welfare redistribution and efficient emissions reductions in pursuit of optimal policies for a just transition. Other research includes work on optimal energy system design and electrification pathways for balancing emissions reduction and equity objectives in both the US and developing nations. Prior to his PhD, Erickson worked as a research consultant with the Cadmus Group, analyzing state and utility incentive programs for building and vehicle electrification. Outside of research, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, gardening, and camping.
UW Madison’s Utility and Energy Future: Campus Community Updates
By: Janine Glaeser UW–Madison’s district energy system has provided heating and cooling to campus in a safe, reliable and efficient manner for over 130 years. We will share updates on the study and proposed options to meet the campus resilience and decarbonization targets set out in the chancellor’s environmental sustainability initiative.
Architect, Senior Campus Planner with FP&M’s Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture team.
A Multi-Scale Optimization Framework for a Sustainable Energy Transition in Urban Areas
By: Javier Vergara Urban areas, as major energy consumers, must adopt integrated energy systems to meet sustainability goals. This work proposes a mathematical optimization model to design urban energy infrastructure, addressing electricity, heating, and cooling needs, demonstrated at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Javiera is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Energy Analysis and Policy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research centers on applying optimization techniques to develop decision-making tools to promote the energy transition. Before embarking on her Ph.D. journey, Javiera earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Chile in 2022. While there, she focused on designing and evaluating renewable energy systems within the mining sector, showcasing her commitment to addressing critical energy and environmental challenges. Following her graduate studies, Javiera gained practical experience as an energy consultant, advising financial institutions on financing renewable energy projects in South America. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, and cross-stitching.
A Comprehensive Study of the Impact of Polyolefin Structure on Pyrolysis Plastic Oil Composition
By: Jiayang Wu The plastic industry struggles with sustainability, recycling only 2% of plastics in closed look applications. Pyrolysis thermally breaks down plastics into oligomers that can be upgraded to virgin-grade plastic. This study investigates the chemistry of pyrolysis by analyzing the effects of plastic structures and sources on seven different plastics.
I’m a fifth-year student in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department, supervised by Prof. Huber, working on plastic recycling through pyrolysis. I primarily study the chemistry of polyolefin pyrolysis using a fluidized bed reactor and analyze the complex oil mixtures through GC×GC-FID and NMR. My research is supported by the Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastic (CUWP), funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). Outside of research, I enjoy exploring new hiking trails and doing handcrafts.
Visual art for community-level climate change communication
By: Julianne Renner This study, centered on the 2023 “Risky Beauty” climate art exhibition in Easton, Pennsylvania, investigated visitors’ cognitive and emotional responses to the exhibited artworks (N=141). Additionally, we explored how self-reflection upon climate art may shape risk perception, behavioral intentions, and support for local climate policies.
Julianne is a Ph.D. student in the Life Sciences Communication Department at UW–Madison. Her work has mainly focused on visual communication of science, including topics such as COVID-19 and climate change.
Fear in the Taiga: Nonlethal effects of Amur tigers on ungulate prey
By: Karann Putrevu Ecologists in the 21st century have been increasingly interested in the influence of top-down tropic influences on ecosystem functioning and regulation. Here I present the results of field experiments in the Russian Far East where I tested whether risk cues of tiger presence influence ungulate behavior.
Karann completed his Bachelor of Science with a dual degree in biological engineering and biology at Cornell University and is currently a PhD Candidate in the Carnivore Coexistence Lab under Dr. Adrian Treves. His research focuses on large carnivore ecology and conservation with foci on predator ecology and population modeling.
Evaluating the Impacts of Solar Farms on Vegetation, Hydrology and Microclimate
By: Kyungdoe “Doe” Han Agrivoltaics integrates agriculture with solar energy production by cultivating crops beneath and near solar panels. However, solar panels redistribute rainfall and create novel shading conditions that impact vegetation growth. We present preliminary findings on the impacts of solar panels on microclimate, hydrology, and plant physiology compared to control areas.
Kyungdoe “Doe” Han (He/His/Him) serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Hydroecology Lab within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Doe’s background includes work on carbon sequestration and paleohydrologic reconstruction, employing numerical simulation methods across the board. He boasts over twelve national and international patents and has been honored with the Silver Medal at the Salon International des Inventions de Genève for his development of an autonomous vegetation growth monitoring system. His current projects are conducted under the guidance of Professor Steven P. Loheide II and benefit from the support of the UW–Madison Research Forward initiative and grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Evaluating the Impacts of Solar Farms on Vegetation, Hydrology and Microclimate
By: Kyungdoe “Doe” Han Agrivoltaics integrates agriculture with solar energy production by cultivating crops beneath and near solar panels. However, solar panels redistribute rainfall and create novel shading conditions that impact vegetation growth. We present preliminary findings on the impacts of solar panels on microclimate, hydrology, and plant physiology compared to control areas.
Kyungdoe “Doe” Han (He/His/Him) serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Hydroecology Lab within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Doe’s background includes work on carbon sequestration and paleohydrologic reconstruction, employing numerical simulation methods across the board. He boasts over twelve national and international patents and has been honored with the Silver Medal at the Salon International des Inventions de Genève for his development of an autonomous vegetation growth monitoring system. His current projects are conducted under the guidance of Professor Steven P. Loheide II and benefit from the support of the UW–Madison Research Forward initiative and grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Thermal and Ion Transport Properties in Salt-Containing POEM/PEO Polymer Electrolyte Blends
By: Marissa Gallmeyer The pursuit of new electrolytes for lithium batteries to create the safer and more dense forms of energy storage that are necessary for the implementation and increasing demand for electric vehicles, intermittent renewable energy systems, and personal electronics. Poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, has been studied extensively as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) for rechargeable lithium batteries as an alternative to liquid electrolytes, but performs poorly at low temperatures due to its semicrystalline nature. To remedy this, we blend PEO with an amorphous, conductive, polymer, poly(oligo ethylene oxide methacrylate) (POEM). We have created a matrix of data that allows for exploration of the relationship between polymer structure, salt concentrations, and the physical, thermal, and electrochemical properties of these blends in order to understand how the presence of EO-containing side chains decrease PEO impact system dynamics and increase conductivity.
Marissa is a third year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, where she works on polymer science in the Loo Lab. She completed her undergraduate and Master’s studies in 2021 at Michigan Technological University where she studied biofuel production.
Creating a Community-Based Learning Course on “Environmental and Sustainability Education in Wisconsin”
By: Mark Johnson The flash talk will describe a new experimental course, Ed Pol 150: Environmental and Sustainability Education in Wisconsin. This course supports student partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations active at UW and around Madison in areas such as urban agriculture, school gardens, outdoor learning, after-school programs, and food justice.
Mark Johnson is teaching faculty and a faculty associate in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. He has conducted policy studies and program evaluations for private foundations and various U.S. government agencies, especially in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. He is also currently project technical advisor and chair of the binational advisory board of a U.S. Department of State-funded Fulbright project in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, intended to foster U.S.-Jordanian university partnerships and research collaboration, especially around university-led sustainability programs and climate adaptation.
Health and Air Quality Impacts of Carbon Dioxide Removal in Climate Policy
By: Matilyn Bindl Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is necessary for achieving climate goals but is highly uncertain. What are the direct impacts (e.g., emissions, energy use, land conversion, etc.) and indirect impacts (e.g., delayed fossil fuel phaseout) of CDR use? This research combines an integrated assessment model and a reduced-form air quality model to explore the impacts of CDR on human health and air quality.
Matilyn Bindl is pursuing her PhD in the Nelson Institute Environment and Resources program with a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy. Advised by Dr. Morgan Edwards of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Matilyn’s interdisciplinary research uses integrated assessment models to understand the scale-up potential, policy implications, and equity impacts of carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
Sustainability Research Hub
By: Melanie Hebl The Sustainability Research Hub exists to make UW – Madison a preeminent destination for environmental sustainability research and education by supporting innovative, large-scale, cross-cutting sustainability research on campus and beyond. Come learn more about how we can support your next research proposal.
Melanie has more than 16 years of experience in research administration at UW–Madison, making her the ideal person to connect the dots of all the work happening across campus. A natural connector, Melanie works with researchers and departments to identify new opportunities for collaboration and connection in sustainability research. With her experience navigating projects, she understands the many moving parts involved in large proposals and can help overcome challenges that may arise.
Sources of PFAS in rural groundwater: An interview study of UW–Madison Experts
By: Mia Homan and Bret Shaw We interviewed eight leading UW–Madison groundwater experts including research scientists and faculty from interdisciplinary backgrounds to better understand threats to Wisconsin rural groundwater with a focus on predominant sources of the emerging contaminant, PFAS, which is being detected in groundwater throughout the state.
I am a sophomore at UW–Madison, and I am studying Wildlife Ecology and Life Sciences Communication. I am part of the CALS Honors in Research program. I worked on this project as a CALS Honors Student under the supervision of Professor Bret Shaw from the Department of Life Sciences Communication and Division of Extension, who is also a co-author on the study. I am passionate about natural resource management, and I am interested in the relationship between scientists and the public. I believe effective science communication is one of the most important aspects of research, and I hope to reflect that throughout my professional career.
Democratizing AI: Smart Foodsheds use case
By: Michelle Miller Our Smart Foodsheds team is gathering datasets and piecing them together to make information more readily accessible to regional food systems collaborations. AI automates data wrangling for heterogeneous datasets (interoperability). We then use statistics (algorithms) to find patterns that can show us ways to transform our imperfect food supply networks.
Miller is a researcher at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, working on food supply networks and transportation resilience especially for rural areas. She is part of the Smart Foodsheds use case team at the National Science Foundation’s AI institute, ICICLE, led by The Ohio State University. She also serves on the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Agriculture and Food Transportation.
Addressing food sustainability and environmental justice
By: Nandini Saluja This poster highlights initiatives of the Food Recovery Network, focusing on enhancing food sustainability and addressing environmental justice. It explores strategies for reducing food waste, promoting equitable access to resources, and fostering community building.
I am a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and serve as the president of the Food Recovery Network (FRN) Madison chapter. My work revolves around sustainability, particularly in reducing food waste and mitigating the environmental impact of agricultural systems. Through my role at FRN, I lead efforts to recover surplus food from local businesses and redistribute it to those experiencing food insecurity, thereby addressing both waste and hunger. I am also conducting research as part of a fellowship focused on reducing methane emissions in the dairy industry. This project integrates principles of the circular economy to explore innovative ways to limit agricultural emissions and promote sustainable practices within food systems. My goal is to inspire greater engagement in sustainable practices and demonstrate the vital role food recovery plays in tackling climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.
Creating Connections Through Sustainability at UW–Madison
This poster highlights the work of the new Office of Sustainability intern team: Education and Outreach. The team works with student organizations and campus partners to produce cross-campus collaborative events and implement strategies to improve access to sustainability dialogue, resources, and education. The team strives to advance sustainability through student-focused, peer-to-peer education on the UW–Madison campus.
The Education and Outreach team is responsible for collaboration with students, staff and faculty in order to create integral social sustainability connections at UW–Madison. This team consists of five interns: Lily Jenkins (environmental studies and political science), Catie Stumpf (english, life sciences communications, and environmental studies), Hannah Stahmann (Spanish and environmental studies), Chandler Wells (environmental science and life sciences communications), Jordyn Czyzewski (landscape and urban studies, geography, and environmental studies), and Alicia Lopez (life sciences communications). The Education and Outreach team seeks to engage students with UW–Madison’s institutional sustainability goals and Office of Sustainability initiatives, while providing accessible outlets for students to engage with campus sustainability efforts.
Communicating Sustainability at UW–Madison
This poster provides an overview of the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Intern Communications team. The Communications Team is responsible for contributing content, ideas, and inspiration to the primary outreach platforms for the Office of Sustainability, including social media, newsletter, events, and the website.
The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Intern Communications team is composed of 6 students in the 2024-2025 intern cohort: Brynne Hill, studying Environmental Studies & Spanish; Chandler Wells, studying Environmental Sciences & Life Sciences Communication; Alicia Lopez, studying Life Sciences Communication; Catherine (Catie) Stumpf, studying English & Environmental Studies; Vibha Srinivasan, studying Economics; Kate Scroggins, studying Electrical Engineering & Environmental Science. We as interns want to engage fellow students, faculty, and staff on a range of issues in order to cultivate a culture of sustainability on the UW–Madison campus and beyond.
Circular Economy Optimization tools for the Simultaneous Design of Food Packaging and Waste Management Technologies
By: Paola Munoz Briones This study proposes an optimization-based systems engineering framework to find sustainable food packaging solutions. It considers the production and existing and potential waste management alternatives. The case study aims to find the optimal combination of packaging and waste management technology, considering criteria such as increase in price, emissions, and circularity.
Paola is a third-year PhD candidate in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at UW–Madison, working under Professor Styliani Avraamidou. She focuses on developing decision-making tools utilizing optimization techniques to facilitate the transition to sustainable food supply chains. Paola earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador and gained industry experience as a consultant for Hazard Communication Programs.
A pathway for reducing greenhouse emissions from heavy-duty and marine transportation.
By: Saurabh K Gupta Heavy duty and marine transportation sectors are hard to convert to electric. Sustainable alternative fuels are the prime solution to turn this sector green. Offset Active Prechamber (OAP) enables the low load GCI operation and pathway towards flex fuel tech for sustainable heavy-duty transportation.
Saurabh K Gupta is a research assistant and DERC fellow at the Engine Research Center (ERC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin Madison, USA, working with Prof Sage Kokjohn. With over 10 years of experience in academia and industry, he has worked on research projects in collaboration with the US Department of Energy (DoE), Office of Naval Research (ONR), John Deere, Cummins, and Harley-Davidson Motor Company, contributing to the study of alternative fuels, advanced combustion strategies, and optical sensor development.
Global Perspectives: Exploring Environmental and Cultural Sustainability Through Study Abroad
This poster presents an exploratory study conducted by the Scan Design fellows, comparing how Danish and American students conceptualize environmental and cultural sustainability. Using surveys and word cloud analysis, the study identifies trends and cultural nuances that shape sustainability practices in both countries. Through cross-cultural comparisons, the findings emphasize the importance of global perspectives in addressing sustainability challenges.
The Scan Design Foundation (SDF) Fellowship Program aims to strengthen Danish-American relations by offering study abroad scholarships to Danish and UW–Madison students. This program focuses on sustainability, requiring program fellows to engage in activities centered around environmental and cultural sustainability in collaboration with the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability. The authors of this poster, who are part of the 2024 cohort, include Sara Bay, Sagar Clemensen, Kirstine Jacobsen, Kasper Jakobsen, Anna Soerensen, Matias Vaernskjold, Ellie Hart, Taylor Eberhardt, Olivia Cross, Erin Duffy, and Olive Dyrbye-Wright.
The SustainUW Podcast
A poster detailing the mission of the podcast, its experience in the podcast world, and our ongoing evolution in content creation.
The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Podcast Team team is composed of 6 students in the 2024-2025 intern cohort: Aiden Culver, studying Political Science & Philosophy; Audrey Davis, studying Political Science & Environmental Studies, Brynne Hill, studying Environmental Studies & Spanish; Giann Abang, studying Community & Environmental Sociology; and Lily Jenkins, studying Political Science & Environmental Studies. Each episode on the SustainUW podcast engages fellow students, faculty, and staff on a range of issues in order to cultivate a culture of sustainability on the UW–Madison campus and beyond.
Color Removal of Recovered PE from Printed Flexible Films by STRAP Process
By: Tianwei Yan Yellowing is a common occurrence in solvent-based plastic recycling. Process analysis revealed the color source in polyethylene resin recovered from solvent-targeted recovery and precipitation (STRAP). A combinational method including mechanical deliquoring and adsorption significantly reduces the remaining color from polymer resins recovered from reverse laminated multilayer printed films.
Tianwei Yan is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He completed his B.S. in Chemistry at Peking University and his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After graduation, he spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher in the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware. Tianwei’s research focuses on plastics recycling via chemical and solution-based technologies.
What People Are Asking About PFAS in Their Drinking Water in the U.S. Based on Online Search Behaviors?
By: Tim Holland To inform public health communicators about the information search engine users are seeking concerning PFAS in their drinking water, we used Semrush, a search engine results software tool. We categorized the type of questions and search terms online information seekers used and ranked them based on search volume.
Hello! My name is Tim Holland. I am a Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. My studies focus on Science Communication and Ecosystem Services. I aim to develop effective communication strategies that increase public awareness and involvement in protecting the systems and services our natural resources provide. I am working on a project using Google search engine data to inform message development and testing for municipal water-related PFAS information.
Sustainable Dairy Farming through Multi-modal Cattle and Barn Monitoring
By: Unmesh Raskar MmCows is a large scale, multimodal dataset enabling sustainable dairy farming by optimizing barn management and health monitoring in dairy cattle. By reducing labor costs and resource usage in data collection, it improves animal welfare, addresses environmental concerns, and enhances the economic sustainability of dairy farming through advanced data-driven behavior monitoring systems.
Unmesh is a master’s research student in Electrical & Computer Engineering working in WiSEST (Wisconsin Embedded Systems) lab. His area of work are Machine Learning, Computer Vision. Unmesh holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay and worked for 3 years as a Data Scientist. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Madison and its beautiful lakes on a bike.
Effects of Managed Aquifer Recharge on Ecosystem Services in Forested and Agricultural Landscapes
By: Xue Xiao We investigate how managed aquifer recharge (MAR) affects ecosystem services in forest and agricultural landscapes and provide recommendations for better MAR strategies.
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in ecohydrological modeling, groundwater dynamics, and water resources management. My research aims to advance sustainable water management practices by integrating ecological, hydrological, and groundwater processes to address challenges in groundwater sustainability and recharge.
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3M and the Future of Recycled Polypropylene — Stephanie Oliveras Santos
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Active Transportation and Madison’s Sustainability Plan — Hayley Froseth & Niamh Prentiss
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Agrivoltaics: Combining Agriculture and Solar Energy for Efficient Land Use — Vivian Wanjing
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Akari Earth: Transforming Vacant Buildings into Sustainable Housing — Jeffrey Mariner
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Bioblitz at Lakeshore Nature Preserve — Damschen Lab
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Sustainability Investment — Tola Klabough
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Broadening the Scope: Students Exploring Scope 3 Emissions in Higher Education — Office of Sustainability Academic Research & Writing Team
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Corporate Sustainability Internship at Ramboll — Anna Mello
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Ecological Roles of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve — Sarah Graves
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Flax and Bioplastic Composites: Toward a Regional Fibershed — John Hendrickson
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Green Events Certification at UW–Madison — Office of Sustainability Green Events Team
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Green Labs: Implementing My Green Lab Certification on Campus — Office of Sustainability Green Labs Team
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Green Office Program: Making Campus Workspaces More Sustainable — Nate Dancer / Office of Sustainability Green Office Team
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Holistic Steel Systems: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment — Garrison Keller]
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How Much Do Plant Trait Values Differ Between Collection Sites? — Sonia Jezierski
- Implementing Solar Picnic Tables on Campus — Amanda Sadowski
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Introduction to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve — Bryn Scriver
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Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center — Brad Herrick
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LCA of the Electrochemical Manufacturing of Acetic Acid via CO Reduction in a Porous Solid-State Electrolyte Reactor — Katrina Santos
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Linking Living and Learning through the Resident Sustainability Ambassador Program — Seri Sanches & Nadia Eull
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Mapping the UN Sustainable Development Goals at UW–Madison — Audrey Stanton
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Multiscale Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Surfactant-Based Plastics De-Inking — Ali Altamimi
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Recovery of Polymers from Municipal Solid Waste — Lily Callen
- Reducing Nicotine Waste Through Design and Engagement — Jhanik Posnanski
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Reducing Pollution from Coal Power: A Path Toward Cleaner Air and a Healthier Climate — Vedaa Vandavasi
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Resource Recovery from Desalination Brine — Fadhel Alrabiah
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Scan Design Foundation Sustainability Tour — 2025 Scan Design Fellows
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Scope 3 Emissions: Comparing Methods for Estimating Downstream Waste Emissions Using a University Case Study — Sofia Abad
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Solar Energy Exhibit at the Arboretum — Eliana Bernat