Research Projects

Research team: 
Charlotte Harper Cunningham (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Graham Ballantyne (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Christian Hanson (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Grace Mallozzi (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Mentor: Michael Gevelber (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025

This project seeks to develop a detailed plan to decarbonize major buildings on both CRC and BUMC, addressing both technical and financial issues. In particular, we will develop a first detailed building-by-building integrated energy efficiency and decarbonization plan, focusing on the 20 largest buildings that account for over 35% of BU’s direct GHG emissions

Key research issues to be addressed include cost effective evaluation of HVAC related energy efficiency projects including heat recovery, air flow scheduling, and right sizing the airflow depending on different needs. Considering these energy efficiency opportunities first before development/analysis of decarbonization plans, is important since it reduces the capacity and cost of implementing the decarbonization technologies. For BUMC, we will also address the comparative economics of using green steam to achieve GHG reduction goals, in comparison to switching to a hybrid natural gas/heat pump system. Lastly, for key elements of both campuses, evaluation of performance and cost of ground source heat pump systems will be made in comparison to hybrid air source heat pumps.

Research team: 
Audrey Xie, CAS
Kiko Yoshihira, CAS
Miya Peterson, CAS

Mentor: Nathan Phillips, Professor, CAS

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project aims to reduce data center emissions by encouraging BU TerrierGPT users to receive inquiry responses at a delayed, low-demand time to reduce stress on the grid and fossil fuel reliance. Researchers will test customer tolerances by determining their preferences for when they use AI and if those preferences are flexible. Results from this study can be used to develop larger-scale community demand response programs to better manage energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Research team:
Reuben Danyali (Environmental Analysis & Policy; Economics, CAS)
Sage Andrews (Biology, CAS)
Alexa Smith (Political Science; Economics, CAS)
Alex Weintraub (Earth & Environment, CAS)
Ella J. Grossman (Earth & Environment, CAS)
Mentor: Pam Templer (Biology, CAS)

Timing: Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025

The BU campus has over 70 acres of lawn scape, which accounts for a significant percentage of the school’s budget of carbon flux.This research project will involve measuring changes to ecological factors in urban landscaping by varying management tactics to be more sustainably informed and more ecologically integrated. Tactics will include alterations to mulch application, alternative soil amendments (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.), and possibly cover crops. The measurement of ecological factors will allow us to evaluate changes in biogenic CO2 emissions. From these results we will create a recommended treatment option for altering management in the future to help BU achieve the climate goals set out in the BU CAP, and allow BU to more closely align with its stated land management sustainability goals.

Research team:
Paul Adu, Master’s Student, ENG
Andde Indabaru, PhD Student, Questrom
Mentor: Remi Trudel, Associate Professor, Questrom

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project pilots a Smart Energy Feedback System in Boston University student housing to test whether unit-level electricity feedback can meaningfully shift student energy-use behavior. By combining apartment-level energy sensing with behavioral interventions, such as monetary framing, carbon-impact framing, and social comparison. The study examines which feedback mechanisms most effectively improve climate awareness and reduce electricity consumption. The project integrates engineering, behavioral science, and sustainability practice, positioning campus housing as a living laboratory for scalable, student-facing climate interventions.

Research team:
Pranav Sultania, PhD Student, ENG
Isabella Santarpia, Undergrad, ENG

Mentor: Tommaso Ranzani, Assistant Professor, ENG

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project aims to reduce laboratory energy consumption across Boston University by replacing conventional peristaltic and syringe pumps with a novel energy-efficient bistable electromagnetic soft pump platform. Traditional lab pumps are often noisy, maintenance-intensive, and energy-demanding, whereas the proposed soft pump operates silently and requires only a fraction of the power. The team will scale production of the pump units and pilot them in selected BU laboratories to measure performance and electricity savings. By demonstrating potential energy reductions of over 90% per pump, the project directly supports BU’s Climate Action Plan goals of lowering energy demand in research-intensive spaces and reducing campus-wide carbon emissions.

Research team:
Lydia Palmer (Physics, CAS)
Siya Dahanukar (Behavior & Health, Sargent)
Mentor: Sophie Godley (Community Health Sciences, SPH)

Timing: Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025

At BU, strategically placed aeroponic towers will provide students with hands-on gardening opportunities while addressing local food insecurity and supporting mental wellness. By analyzing our resource usage and the failures of commercial aeroponic farms, we’ll determine the major errors of these well-intentioned businesses and how we can innovate for a more sustainable agricultural industry in the future.

Research team:
Jonathan Miller (Electrical Engineering, ENG)
Abigail Hassan (Political Science, CAS)
Mentor: Linda Doerrer (Chemistry, CAS)

Timing: Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025

Students Jonathan Miller (Electrical Engineering, ENG), Abigail Hassan (Political Science, CAS), will work with Dr. Linda Doerrer (Chemistry, CAS) to design and implement an algae bioreactor on BU’s campus to explore carbon-negative renewable energy solutions. The team will investigate the performance of algae microbial fuel cells under long-term operations and colder climates, aiming to optimize conditions for maximizing power output and stability. They will construct prototypes, monitor data, and optimize conditions to identify the feasibility of generating carbon-negative, cost-effective energy.

Research team:
Aissatou Lam, Undergrad, Wheelock
Mentors:
V. Scott H. Solberg, Professor, Wheelock
Chong Myung Park, Research Scientist, Wheelock

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project develops a curriculum connecting students’ values and talents to sustainability career pathways, advancing BU’s Climate Action Plan goals. The curriculum will guide students through identifying their passions and mapping them to UN Sustainable Development Goals, then exploring diverse sustainability careers, including required skills, educational pathways, and salary information. This work addresses critical gaps in sustainability education identified by the Climate Action Plan and will provide implementation-ready materials adaptable across BU departments.

Research team:
Ananya Trivedi (Biology, CAS)
Prathulya Vadlamudi (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CAS)
Tanvi Khandelwal (Biology, CAS)
Mentor: Les Kaufman (Biology, CAS)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025

This project examines how effectively treated laundry greywater from Boston University dormitories can sustain plant growth and which low-cost filtration method best enhances its quality for safe and sustainable reuse. The study will test five filtration methods and evaluate water quality and plant health outcomes using Chenopodium album (Lamb’s Quarters) as a model species. By identifying treatments that meet environmental standards and support healthy growth, the project will provide actionable insights that are aligned with BU’s Climate Action Plan.

Research team: TBD
Mentors:
Kenn Sebesta (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Stephen Chomyszak (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Moriah Lim (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025

Boston University’s makerspaces generate over a quarter-ton of 3D printing PLA waste annually, a stream that is expected to grow. This project aims to scale up an existing initiative to recycle this waste by optimizing two key manufacturing processes: filament extrusion and heat-pressing. We will refine these methods to convert shredded PLA waste into high-quality recycled 3D printer filament and uniformly flat sheets for laser-cutting. The goal is to reduce new PLA and acrylic purchases by 25% within 12 months, directly supporting BU’s waste-reduction goals by closing the material loop.

Research team:
Nik Polyakov (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Reuben Danyali (Environmental Analysis & Policy and Economics, CAS)
Declan Lacy (Electrical Engineering, ENG)
Mentors:
Kenn Sebesta (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Moriah Lim (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025

Students Nik Polyakov, Declan Lacey, and Reuben Danyali are working with Professor Sebesta and Moriah Lim of RASTIC to develop an integrated pre-processing system that cleans, shreds, and dehumidifies discarded campus plastics to create reusable 3D-printing filament for BU labs. The project builds on existing extrusion infrastructure by adding ultrasonic washing, dual-shaft shredding, and convection drying subsystems to produce extrusion-ready flakes on campus. This system will replace 219 kg of filament annually purchased by EPIC and SiLab, and reduce the cost of producing filament to $0.02 per kg. Our mission is to support BU’s Climate Action and Zero Waste Plans, advancing progress toward Boston University’s 90% waste-diversion goal by 2030.

Research team:
Xinyue Zhang (Supply Chain Management, MET)
Irene Skandalakis (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Artemiy Yakushin (Chemistry, CAS)
Mentor: John Maleyeff (Risk Management, MET)

Timing: Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

This project aims to support BU’s Climate Action Plan by evaluating sustainable practices in research and teaching laboratories on the CRC and medical campuses. The project focuses on My Green Lab certification procedures that consider sustainable purchasing, energy efficiency equipment, and green chemistry. The team will work with the Environmental Health and Safety department and recommend sustainability metrics, incentives, and training, while developing an implementation plan. MET supply chain management Professor John Maleyeff and EHS Director of Safety Ron Morales will provide ongoing advice to the project team.

Research team:
Madina Khasanboeva (Mass Communication and Advertising, COM and Architectural Studies, CAS)
Kalinda Tran (Painting & Printmaking, CFA)
Mentors:
Logen Zimmerman (Visual Arts, CFA)
Joshua Brennan (Printmaking, CFA)

Timing: Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025

This project aims to build a lasting framework for sustainability within the School of Visual Arts’ darkroom. This includes developing a new set of protocols to minimize chemical use, properly handle waste, and reduce the lab’s overall environmental footprint. This will be in order to reduce unnecessary waste and instill reuse practices in the darkroom in the School of Visual Arts.

Research team:

Jacob Trostel, Undergrad, CAS
Annalee Edgar, Undergrad, Questrom
Haijia Zhou, Undergrad, CAS

Mentors:
David Demeritt, Professor, CAS

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project aims to critically assess student waste behavior across various student groups to better understand the consumption practices of the university’s diverse student population and inform the design of targeted interventions to prevent waste-generating practices. Although BU Sustainability tracks large volumes of waste during high-volume waste production periods such as move-in and move-out, the university lacks systematic information on which individual student groups contribute, such as on-campus, off-campus, and international students. Our goal is to fill these knowledge gaps and help BU achieve its Zero Waste and Scope 3 emissions goals by understanding the variety of student-waste behavior and developing testable, digital platforms as interventions that promote reuse and recycling behaviors.