The Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in collaboration with the Research and Engagement for Action on Climate and Health (REACH) Center, recently announced five research teams as recipients of the inaugural 2025 Pilot Award. The REACH Center Pilot Grant Program, open to multidisciplinary teams from the George Washington University (GW), George Mason University and Howard University, awards funding to innovative projects with the potential to make a significant impact in climate change and health research.
“It’s exciting to see new cross-disciplinary approaches to health and climate challenges from our research communities,” said Robert Orrtung, director of the Sustainability Research Institute, and developmental core co-director of the REACH Center. “These projects, and the teams working tirelessly on them, highlight a need for grant support in building skills, connections and research agendas.”
SRI awarded two teams consisting of interdisciplinary research from GW. Housed within the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future, SRI facilitates collaboration between schools, departments, and institutes across GW's campus to address a wide range of issues related to sustainability. Research teams will receive $60,000 from SRI and the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future to support two awards for GW-led projects, and a combined $80,000 in funding for three awards from the REACH Center.
“These cross-disciplinary projects come at a critical moment in research when foundational support is vital to the development of innovative solutions,” said Frank Sesno, executive director at the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future. “Our Sustainability Research Institute seed grants are a great first step in bringing the work of the research communities out into the world to make an impact.”
The REACH Center Pilot Grant Program aims to build capacity for researchers and community partners to apply for National Institutes of Health R-level research grants using big data to explore healthful and equitable climate change solutions. This year’s award grantees are:
Xindi (Cindy) Hu (GW Environmental and Occupational Health); Judy Wang (GW Statistics); Tatiyana Apanasovich (GW Statistics) – Data-driven solutions to mitigate the impact of hurricanes on private well drinking water quality and human health
Jenna R. Krall (GMU Global and Community Health); Marybeth Mitcham (GMU Global and Community Health); Luis E. Ortiz (GMU Atmospheric, Oceanic & Earth Sciences); Lucas R. F. Henneman (GMU Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering) – Housing insecurity, climate risks, and health: A coalition for climate resiliency
Vera Kuklina (GW Geography & Environment); Victoria Miles (Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center); Micah Hahn (University of Alaska Anchorage Environmental Health); Andrey Petrov (University of Northern Iowa Geography); Diana Khaziakhmetova (University of Arizona Geography, Development & Environment)– Climate-induced urban heat islands effect on public health in Arctic cities
In collaboration with the REACH Center, the Sustainability Research Institute announces the following awards:
John Paul Helveston (GW Engineering Management and Systems Engineering); Gaige Kerr (GW Environmental and Occupational Health) –Quantifying the air quality and environmental justice implications of disparities in access to clean vehicles
Tatiyana Apanasovich (GW Statistics); Xindi (Cindy) Hu (GW Environmental and Occupational Health); Judy Wang (GW Statistics) – Building partnerships for equitable flood resilience: Exploring the intersection of social vulnerability, water quality, and health outcomes in Washington, D.C. and beyond
A detailed list of the 2025 Pilot Award Grantee projects is available at: https://reach.publichealth.gwu.edu/pilot-grant-program
Awardees in this year's cohort were drawn from a talented pool of nine applications spanning research areas and institutes. A selection committee of experts from the REACH Center institutions, as well as two external reviewers from the University of Wisconsin’s Health-First Climate Action Research Center, carefully evaluated the proposals on criteria including innovation, research approach, significance and impact, and potential for pilot work.
“All of the inspiring project proposals we received reflect our community’s commitment to addressing the challenges in climate change and health research,” said Rachel Clark, developmental core co-director of the REACH Center. “We’re excited for these seed grants to lay the foundation of partnership and collaboration for future advancements.”
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Sustainability Research Institute
The GW Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), at the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future, works across disciplines to address complex sustainability challenges facing society. SRI research communities are focused on three thematic topic areas:
- Energy, Technology, and Decision-Making
- Cities, Communities, and Infrastructure
- Planetary Well-Being and Civic Life
Research and Engagement for Action on Climate and Health (REACH) Center
The REACH Center leverages big data to research climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions that can improve health and equity. The REACH Center is a collaborative effort by George Washington University, George Mason University, Howard University, and the Environmental Defense Fund.