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Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

The mission of the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy is to advance global sustainability and energy solutions through transformational research, interdisciplinary education, and public engagement.

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Carbon Capture and Ice Cream

October 2, 2024
from MS in Energy and Sustainability
Techno-economic analyst Chris Wu (MSES ‘23) helps make ice cream production more environmentally friendly through his work with sustainable energy

About the Trienens Institute

Collaboration across disciplines and organizations for a sustainable future.

We ask questions that lead to new insights and discoveries.

Discover a diverse range of groundbreaking research initiatives centered in the Trienens Institute, stemming from cutting-edge team science across disciplines. Engage with leading scholars and explore innovative projects that address complex societal issues and push the boundaries of knowledge. 

Research Profiles
What's in Your Water? The Health Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Meet Our Faculty
Meet our diverse faculty who approach complex local and global sustainability and energy challenges with interdisciplinary insights.

Research Spotlight
The Tobin Marks Group partners with GIANTFab Lab for various projects enhancing solar cell production.

Empowering minds for a sustainable future.

Students prepare to be future leaders through coursework and experiential opportunities in sustainability and energy at Northwestern University. The Trienens Institute collaborates across academic departments and with industry to administer an Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability and Energy plus a Master’s of Science in Energy and Sustainability. Additional programs include study abroad and research initiatives. Students engage with renowned faculty from across the University and industry to learn how to make a meaningful impact on society's most pressing challenges.

Student Profile
Northwestern senior discusses the Trienens Institute certificate experience.

Study Abroad Spotlight
Trek to Germany opens eyes of engineering students.

Collaboration is vital to the mission of the Trienens Institute.

Innovative teams bring their unique strengths together to produce transformational research and education initiatives. Alumni play a key role in carrying this mission into the world and giving back to support the next generation. Explore how we foster meaningful partnerships with organizations and individuals to address complex challenges and create lasting positive change in the world.

Annual Symposium
Insights from the 2022 Trienens Institute annual symposium.

Alumni Profile
Meet Yuxi Suo (TGS '18), former graduate student in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern.

Stay Up to Date

Upcoming Events

Nov
8
2024

Osher Collaborative: Healthy People, Healthy Planet Symposium

10:00 AM
From the Osher Collaborative: The Osher Collaborative, an international group of eleven Osher Centers, is hosting our se...
Nov
13
2024

Northwestern-Hamburg Exchange Program | Info Session

11:45 AM
Northwestern-Hamburg Exchange Program | Join an Informational Lunch  Are you a graduate student with a demonstrated inte...
Nov
14
2024

Polymer Redesign and Recycling

1:00 PM
Join Corporate Engagement for a discussion with Professors Linda Broadbelt, Will Dichtel, and John Torkelson on their st...

Featured Event

Northwestern and University of Hamburg arial campus shots

Northwestern-Hamburg Exchange Program | Info Session

November 13, 2024

Are you a graduate student with a demonstrated interest in decarbonization, sustainability, or climate change research? Join an info session to learn more about the Northwestern-Hamburg Exchange Program | Register