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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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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

Jul
27
2024

Summer Events Series: Wildflower Walk at North Pond Nature Sanctuary

10:00 AM 2610 N Cannon Dr
From the Lincoln Park Conservancy Join volunteer docents of the Lincoln Park Conservancy as we take a gentle guided walk...
Aug
6
2024

Discussion: We're All Plastic People Now

7:00 PM 300 Olde Half Day Road
From the Vernon Public Library: Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our environment. Scientists have discov...
Aug
16
2024

CCSS Monthly Meeting: Prof. Do Heui Kim, Seoul National University

12:00 PM Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Who: Professor Do Heui Kim, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea When: August 16, 12:00-1:00pm Where: Technologi...

Featured Event

Discussion: We're All Plastic People Now

August 6, 2024

From the Vernon Public Library | Panelists will cover how legislative policies and innovative solutions can help with the plastic crisis; attendees should watch We Are Plastic People by Rory Fielding Films prior to the conversation, which focuses on health concerns stemming from plastics Learn more