Revolutionary Research Insider | Issue XVI
University of Massachusetts Amherst | Research
Research that propels change.
Happy #EarthDay2024! #DidYouKnow that since its founding in 1863 as an agricultural land-grant college, the University of Massachusetts Amherst has a proud tradition of research focused on sustainability and the environment? This month, we highlight a few examples of the revolutionary environmental research being carried out at the commonwealth's flagship campus.
Flowering plants are an essential part of the global food supply, the source of grains and numerous fruit and vegetable crops. Yet their vitality is threatened by the effects of climate change and other environmental damage caused by humans. Understanding plant biology, and how plants reproduce, is critical to addressing these challenges in addition to ongoing climate change mitigation efforts. ?
Distinguished Professor Alice Y. Cheung in the College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst is a trailblazing researcher studying plant biology, whose work has led to major advances in the understanding of plant reproduction. By elucidating the mechanisms by which flowering plants reproduce, her research has enabled her lab and others to begin manipulating reproductive barriers between species to enhance plant qualities, addressing challenges in global agriculture.
“Every discovery opens up new opportunities for more research questions to explore,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.”
Cheung has authored over 100 publications, many of high impact, and her work has received over 10,000 citations. She is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), and was awarded one of the society’s highest honors, the Lawrence Bogorad Award for Excellence in Plant Biology.
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We often take for granted that clean, fresh water can be enjoyed at any time with the turn of a tap. Yet drinking water, a key societal resource, faces many complex challenges and threats, from outdated infrastructure to the effects of climate change, environmental degradation, and emerging contaminants.
A new UMass Amherst initiative is convening water researchers across disciplines to tackle these challenges through translatable interdisciplinary research and innovation. Addressing everything from treatment technologies to water resources under climate change to policy and economic considerations, these scholars are providing vital research, technical support, and expertise to meet the needs of the commonwealth and beyond.
“At UMass, we have so much expertise to offer the world,” says Emily Kumpel, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and one of the faculty members leading the new water initiative.
“We aim to be a center of excellence on issues of water and the go-to place throughout the Northeast for state agencies and utilities to find water expertise,” adds Casey Brown, provost professor of civil and environmental engineering.
Like what you read here? Visit our website to explore more UMass Amherst research and innovation, or sign up to receive the Revolutionary Research e-newsletter in your inbox four times a year for more great news, stories, and profiles of researchers. Spring issue drops next month.