Five research projects tackling key sustainability issues have received funding through the Sustainability Catalyst Grant program, administered by the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan (U-M). With topics ranging from PFAS detection to the future of sustainable fashion, these interdisciplinary, impact-driven efforts reflect U-M's commitment to partnering with communities and advancing scalable solutions for a more just and resilient future.

“The Catalyst Grant Program helps bridge the gap between academic research and real-world impact,” said Jennifer Haverkamp, Graham Family Director of the Graham Sustainability Institute. “These projects exemplify how collaborative, cross-sector approaches can catalyze meaningful change, whether that’s creating safer drinking water, more sustainable health care practices, or resilient local economies.”

This year’s funded teams bring together researchers, community organizations, industry partners, and public agencies to develop solutions that are practical, inclusive, and measurable. Among them is a novel effort to map Michigan’s natural fiber ecosystem—a project that, according to principal investigator Melissa Duhaime (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) aims to lay the foundation for what she calls “Fibershed Thinking.”

On campus, said Duhaime, the project seeks to build cross-disciplinary connections that will prepare future leaders in sustainable fashion and regenerative material systems. “This will look like new research collaborations and new courses designed to train our future leaders and innovators in sustainable fashion rooted in regenerative agro- and material ecology,” she said.

Off campus, the team is working with Michigan Fibershed and Fibershed.org to develop a replicable survey framework that strengthens regional textile economies by identifying local producers, manufacturers, and supply chain gaps. Ultimately, the project aspires to inform state and national policy and shift industry norms toward regenerative practices.

The idea had been germinating for years, Duhaime said, but it was the structure of the Catalyst Grant Program—and the convergence of the right partners at the right time—that made it come together. “The priority that the program places on the real-world translation of the work was an immense draw,” she said. “For someone trained in a culture of basic research, there are few opportunities to make such a pivot. The Catalyst Program is offering me an opportunity to do just that.”

Another project, led by Nikita Consul (Abdominal Radiology), aims to reduce the carbon footprint of radiology without compromising the quality of care. With medical imaging services responsible for an estimated 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, her team is evaluating the energy demands of various imaging protocols and developing decision-making tools that integrate sustainability into patient care.

Consul, a clinical radiologist with a background in engineering and sustainability, said the Catalyst Grant Program offered a rare opportunity to connect her past and present work. “I have a longstanding interest in sustainability and geological science that dates back to my days in Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and semesters of work with the Terrascope initiative there,” she said. “When I received an email in my inbox about the Catalyst Grants, I already had an idea I was working through, and I was not afraid to branch out of the usual medical grant submission channels to apply through Graham.”

Other projects in this Catalyst Grant cycle include efforts to:

• Develop a novel sensor technology to detect PFAS in water, in collaboration with Helen of Troy, manufacturer of PUR water filtration products;
• Analyze the socio-environmental impacts of one of the world’s largest e-waste recycling hubs in Accra, Ghana, to guide urban policy;
• Co-create a community-based data tool to track and reduce energy shutoffs in Detroit, in partnership with the Energy Equity Project and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.

Each project is designed not only to generate new knowledge, but to translate that knowledge into action—supporting communities, advancing equitable outcomes, and helping shape the systems that will define a more sustainable future.

To learn more about each project, read on below or visit the Catalyst Grant webpage at graham.umich.edu/catalyst.

Innovating Sensor Technology for Safer Water

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have become a growing priority in water monitoring and treatment due to their harmful effects and persistence in the environment. New EPA regulations set strict limits on PFAS levels in drinking water, creating an urgent need for faster, more cost-effective detection methods.

This project aims to develop a sensor that rapidly and selectively identifies PFAS subgroups at levels consistent with EPA standards. Using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) integrated with gold electrodes, the sensor is designed to recognize specific PFAS molecules, enabling detection through electrical signal changes. The team will first fabricate the sensor, then test it in spiked water to assess accuracy, including with common contaminants. The sensor will provide a cost-effective, efficient, and more comprehensive solution for water monitoring than current methods.

Helen of Troy, manufacturer of PUR Water Filtration products, a collaborator on the project, will offer expertise in product design and usability. The company is helping to refine key sensor features such as size, scalability, and data management, ensuring the technology is practical for both consumers and large organizations like water utilities.

Upon successful development, the researchers will seek a patent for this innovative sensor design. Ultimately, a network of sensors could enable real-time PFAS monitoring across water systems, supporting proactive decision-making for environmental and public health protection.

Project team: Mark Burns, co-I (Chemical Engineering); Robert Kennedy, co-I (Chemistry); Kate Manz, co-I (Environmental Health Sciences); Sanaz Habibi (Chemical Engineering); Alyssa Schubert (MIDAS)

Reducing Radiology’s Carbon Footprint Without Compromising Care

Radiology services contribute approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This impact could be significantly reduced—while also lowering healthcare costs—by refining decision-making and optimizing imaging protocols for energy efficiency, particularly in patient scenarios that require recurrent imaging. However, current imaging guidelines prioritize clinical utility and radiation exposure, often overlooking environmental considerations.

This project will evaluate the energy footprint of various imaging protocols (ultrasound, CT, and MRI) to develop guidelines that promote energy-efficient options without compromising patient care. Researchers will integrate energy consumption data with clinical data from the University of Michigan Health System to demonstrate how modality selection influences patient care pathways and follow-up exam frequency.

Focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening in patients with chronic liver disease or hepatitis B, the team will assess both the clinical and energy impacts of current imaging practices. They will then develop decision-making models to quantify energy trade-offs against clinical benefits.

Ultimately, the study aims to publish updated imaging guidelines that incorporate sustainability while maintaining the highest standards of care. These guidelines will be distributed to radiologists through societies such as the Radiological Society of North America via its Sustainability Task Force, influencing medical decision-making nationwide and reducing the environmental footprint of radiology.

Project team: Nikita Consul, PI (Department of Radiology); Shelie Miller, co-I (School for Environment and Sustainability); Geoffrey Lewis (School for Environment and Sustainability); Katherine Maturen (Radiological Society of North America Sustainability Task Force Member)

Mapping a Sustainable Future for Local Fiber Economies

The textile industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined—and is plagued by waste, pollution, and labor exploitation. The U.S. natural fiber textile production industry, which is experiencing a nascent revitalization, offers a sustainable alternative: embracing circular economy principles, reducing reliance on synthetics, and creating jobs that strengthen the economy.

In partnership with Fibershed.org and Michigan Fibershed, this research team will develop a fibershed ecosystem-mapping framework using Michigan Fibershed as a pilot. The concept of fibershed refers to a region where natural fibers are sustainably grown, processed, and manufactured. The global Fibershed organization now includes 79 affiliates, including Michigan Fibershed.

The core project team—U-M researchers, Fibershed.org, and Michigan Fibershed—will design and implement a survey to assess the scale and connectivity of Michigan’s natural fiber economy, combining qualitative insights from focus groups with quantitative data on the state’s fiber supply chain. The team will collaborate closely throughout the process, ensuring end-user integration at every stage.

The framework, comprising survey design, preliminary data, and tools for future surveys across the network, will help Fibershed support its affiliates and strengthen regional natural fiber economies worldwide while addressing the expressed needs of the Michigan Fibershed affiliate.

Project team: Melissa Duhaime, PI (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology); M’Lis Bartlett, co-I (School for Environment and Sustainability); Joseph Trumpey, co-I (Stamps School of Art & Design); Erin Baker, co-I (Michigan Fibershed); Mitch Fehrle, co-I (Michigan Fibershed); Angie Martin, co-I (Michigan Fibershed); Courtney Lockemer (Fibershed.org)

Illuminating the Impact of E-Waste on Urban Evolution in Ghana

Agbogbloshie, one of the world’s largest electronic waste recycling sites, sits adjacent to Old Fadama, an informal settlement in Accra, Ghana. It is home to over 100,000 people, many of whom are migrants who work at or near the site. Despite hazardous working conditions, pollution, and health risks, Agbogbloshie continues to attract labor due to the livelihoods it sustains. As a result, Old Fadama is expanding rapidly, driven by the growing demand for e-waste recycling in Ghana's evolving industry.

This project will conduct a comprehensive dataset of labor, health, and economic variables of Old Fadama, addressing critical gaps in data to support informed, inclusive policy interventions. Researchers will collaborate with local authorities and academics to understand migration patterns, labor trends, and public health indicators to improve knowledge of the settlement’s socio-economic and environmental dynamics.

Using Qualtrics, the research team will collect and analyze data from over 800 households. The anonymized findings will be shared with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the University of Ghana, equipping city officials and academics with valuable insights to guide urban planning and scholarship.

In addition, by creating this foundational dataset, the project will enable long-term tracking of socio-spatial changes and support future studies on the impacts of electronic waste recycling on urban communities.

Project team: Brandon Marc Finn, PI (School for Environment and Sustainability); Emily Treleaven, co-I (Institute for Social Research); Dimitris Gounaridis (School for Environment and Sustainability); Suchir Gupta (University of Michigan student); Eden Gbeckor-Kove (Accra Metropolitan Assembly); Ebenezer Forkuo Amankwaa (University of Ghana)

Confronting Energy Injustice with Community-Driven Solutions

Electricity shutoffs represent a pressing sustainability challenge rooted in the overlapping crises of social, economic, and environmental injustice. Losing access to power undermines basic rights, disrupting employment, education, and health—especially in marginalized communities already facing climate-related risks. Affecting millions annually, shutoffs intensify energy insecurity and poverty, saddle households with punitive fees, and block participation in the transition to energy-efficient, climate-resilient living.

In collaboration with the Energy Equity Project (EEP) and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC), this project confronts the severe consequences of energy shutoffs in Detroit, with a focus on Black and Latinx communities. Although DTE Energy reports some shutoff data, it lacks the local detail needed to fully understand the impacts.

To address this gap, the project team will develop a community-driven data tool to track the frequency, duration, and demographic disparities of shutoffs paired with personal narratives of energy poverty. Detroit residents will co-create the tool through community workshops and a user-centered design session, with multilingual options and simple submission forms to ensure accessibility.

The resulting data will illuminate the geographic distribution of shutoffs alongside their health and financial effects, supporting efforts to reduce disconnections and expand energy assistance. By equipping communities and policymakers with actionable insights, this project aims to strengthen grassroots advocacy, close data gaps, and advance energy justice across Detroit.

Project team: Tony Reames, PI (School for Environment and Sustainability); Marie O’Neill, co-I (School of Public Health); Justin Schott, co-I (School for Environment and Sustainability); Rahul Agrawal Bejarano (Energy Equity Project); Anne Marie Hertl (Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC)); Chris Gilmer-Hill (MEJC); Xandr Brown (MEJC); Andrew Kaplowitz (MEJC)

The catalyst grant program at the Graham Sustainability Institute is administered by Maggie Allan ([email protected]) and Sarah Miller ([email protected]). Visit graham.umich.edu/catalyst to learn more about the program.