Research


Advancing Knowledge and Empowering Change

In partnership with industry and the state, we will explore ways to strengthen alignment with Connecticut’s economic development and workforce needs, including cultivating an active entrepreneurial environment.  - University of Connecticut Strategic Plan 2024-2034

By integrating advanced technology, scientific innovation, and insights from our extensive network of partners, UConn’s Institute of the Environment and Energy generates knowledge that drives better decision-making for people, health, energy, food, and water. Viewed through the lens of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and climate change, these insights equip industry, agencies, and communities with the tools to anticipate risk, seize opportunities, and create a thriving, sustainable future.

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Climate

Advancing a safer, more stable future by developing knowledge products and tools that inform preparedness and responses to trends and extreme weather events. Our applied research supports efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and helps partners anticipate and adapt to heat waves, floods, sea level rise, shifting ecosystem composition and function, productivity changes, supply chain disruptions, and wildfires.
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Sustainability

At the intersection of science, innovation, and community impact, IoEE champions sustainability across the board. We take a systems approach that prioritizes resilience, adaptability, response, and recovery, with solutions that serve people and the planet. From advancing clean energy technologies and sustainable food systems, to harnessing AI for climate-smart decision-making, we empower all kinds of diverse communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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Artificial Intelligence

Advancing core AI research in machine learning, reasoning, and integrative systems, IoEE also tackles the critical socio-technological challenges posed by AI such as privacy, cybersecurity, and sustainability. Through applications in health, defense, energy, systems science, and transportation, we are committed to developing responsible, resilient technologies that serve society.
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Community

Collaborating with community members, leaders, stakeholders, policy makers and tech professionals to build and maintain healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities and ecosystems; and supporting innovative, community-led and need-informed translational-research initiatives to solve complex problems associated with the green energy transition, climate risk and disaster preparedness, environmental quality, socioeconomic sustainability, and community health and wellbeing, while also informing policy efforts to ensure the benefits of research are distributed equitably and effectively on local, regional, and national scales.
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Health

Generating cross-disciplinary scientific knowledge that identifies and assesses health risks linked to climate change, pollution, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. We support integrated planning and cross-sector collaboration that prioritize long-term well-being, public safety, and health equity.
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Energy

Informing efforts to advance sustainable, electrified, and zero-carbon systems while addressing grid reliability and long-term energy planning needs. We provide research and analysis to support decisions toward a secure, affordable, and modern energy future.
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Ecosystems

The relationships between land use, water cycles, biodiversity, and pollution together shape ecosystem function and resilience. From wetland restoration and watershed biogeochemistry to emerging contaminants and habitat change, our research combines field studies, modeling, and policy-relevant science to inform sustainable practices to support decisions by  communities, agencies, and industries and safeguard natural systems while adapting to shifting environmental conditions.
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Food Systems

Generating cross-disciplinary scientific knowledge that identifies and assesses health risks linked to climate change, pollution, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. We support integrated planning and cross-sector collaboration that prioritize long-term well-being, public safety, and health equity.

Research Highlights

Title page of UConn Research 2025 Year in Review document
Office of the Vice President for Research

UConn Research Year in Review (2025)

The Year in Review report from the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) highlights some of the initiatives at UConn that represent the groundbreaking research taking place at the University. Several IoEE faculty members, including affiliated faculty and Eversource Energy Center members, are noted in the report.