May 2026

Dr. Dibs Sarkar

Welcome to the inaugural newsletter of the Stevens Center for Sustainability (SCS). We are excited to launch this new platform as a way to share the impactful work, partnerships and people advancing sustainability across our campus and communities. 

SCS was created to advance science‑driven, socially equitable and innovative solutions by connecting research, education and community engagement around the interconnected goals of people, planet and prosperity while empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders. From student-led research and faculty collaborations to community-centered programs and youth engagement initiatives, our work reflects a growing commitment to addressing real-world sustainability challenges — particularly in overburdened and historically underserved communities in New Jersey. 

This first newsletter highlights just a few examples of that momentum, and there is much more ahead. Thank you to our students, faculty, staff, partners and supporters who continue to shape and strengthen SCS. We look forward to another summer of learning, collaboration and impact — and to sharing those stories with you.

The 2026 application cycle for the PSEG Undergraduate Research Scholars for Environmental Justice program was a resounding success. This year, SCS received more than 150 student applications and 11 faculty expressions of interest for just seven available research positions, reflecting strong campus and state-wide engagement and growing momentum for sustainability-focused research within Stevens. 

The selection process has now concluded, and SCS looks forward to another impactful summer advancing interdisciplinary research on people, planet and prosperity, with a continued focus on overburdened and historically underserved communities. Students and faculty will collaborate on diverse projects that address real-world sustainability challenges while building research skills and experiential learning opportunities. 

Learn more about the 2025 research cohort and view student research posters.

SCS Director Dr. Dibs Sarkar delivered the keynote address at the 2026 Hudson-Delaware Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (HDC‑SETAC) conference at Manhattan University, where he highlighted strong engagement from students and emerging researchers and recognized the impactful work presented at the event.

Dr. Raju Datla, Research Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering and researcher at the Davidson Laboratory, has been named a NAVSEA Professor of Naval Engineering by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command. This highly selective appointment places him among only 10 faculty nationwide chosen to help advance the future of naval engineering education and research. As part of the Navy’s NEXUS initiative, Dr. Datla’s role will contribute to strengthening the pipeline of engineers designing and sustaining next‑generation maritime systems. Learn More

SCS Director Dr. Dibs Sarkar served as a panelist at the Center for Translational Research at the NJIT PFAS Workshop, contributing to discussions on emerging challenges and solutions related to PFAS contamination. Drawing on Stevens’ expertise in sustainability and environmental research, he engaged with leaders from academia, industry and government to highlight the role of translational research in advancing practical approaches to PFAS detection, remediation and policy.

Dr. Vaishali Kushwaha and Stanley Goodman represented SCS at the Jersey City Collaborative (CCI) — a NJDEP‑led partnership focused on advancing sustainable development, environmental justice, and economic growth. They met at the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) Terminal with local government representatives, community organizations, and leaders to strengthen relationships and explore new opportunities for collaboration in support of community‑driven and Stevens‑led sustainability efforts.

At the 2026 Stevens Innovation Expo, a showcase of research by students, a team of Stevens seniors showcased an innovative research project exploring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) derived from palm oil, tackling one of the aviation sector’s toughest decarbonization challenges. This work exemplifies Stevens’ hands‑on, interdisciplinary approach to addressing global sustainability challenges and preparing students to develop real‑world solutions with impact. Learn more about the team and the project.

Emily Lossman, a 2025 PSEG Undergraduate Research Scholars program alumna and second‑year student in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, has been named a Barry Goldwater Scholar — one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduates pursuing research careers in science, engineering and mathematics. This spring, she was also awarded the STEMNetX Fellowship, further recognizing her academic excellence and research potential. See her PSEG Research Poster to learn more about her work.

Two outstanding participants from the SCS 2025 Youth Inclusion Initiative cohort have been admitted to Stevens. Keren Castillo, from Hillside High School, has accepted the offer and will also join the prestigious Pinnacle Scholars Program. Victor Calvo, from Memorial High School, will also be joining Stevens this fall.

The Friends of Sustainability event, held during Stevens Alumni Weekend every year, brings together individuals who are championing sustainability efforts within the Stevens community and beyond. This year’s program will include recognition of the 2026 M.S. in Sustainability Management graduates through a commencement and awards ceremony, as well as PSEG Scholarship students (pre-college, undergraduate and Ph.D.), several of whom will present their research during a poster session. We will also welcome the incoming cohort of PSEG Undergraduate Research Scholars.  

This year, the event is scheduled for Friday, June 5, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Gateway North Building (Corcoran Room). 

The event is jointly sponsored by the M.S. program in Sustainability Management and the Stevens Center for Sustainability. 

The fourth International Conference on Nature‑Inspired Surface Engineering (NISE 2026) will be held August 10-13, 2026, at the University of Toronto, Canada. The conference is chaired and organized by Prof. Chang‑Hwan Choi of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology. 

NISE 2026 focuses on surface properties inspired by nature — such as those found in plants, insects, and marine organisms — that enable functions including water repellency, anti‑adhesion, and anti‑reflection. These multifunctional properties, critical to sustainability and resilience, arise from complex three‑dimensional and hierarchical surface structures, coupled with tailored surface chemistry and mechanical adaptability. 

Building on decades of advances in surface and interfacial science, NISE provides an international forum for sharing the latest research and applications in nature‑inspired surface engineering, spanning physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and multiple engineering disciplines. 

Behind SCS is a dedicated team working collaboratively to drive innovation, foster partnerships and support the next generation of sustainability leaders.

Dr. Vaishali Kushwaha
Project Maneger

Santiago Orozco
Student Assistant

Stanley Goodman
Research Assistant

Stevens Center for Sustainability