iSEE Awards 2026-27 Seed Funding to Four Interdisciplinary Research Teams

Aerial shot of the University of Illinois campus.

iSEE Awards 2026-27 Seed Funding to Four Interdisciplinary Research Teams

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) has selected four research teams to receive 2026-27 seed funds supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing sustainability, energy, and environmental challenges.

Each team will receive $30,000 to launch new collaborations, generate preliminary results, and advance their work toward larger external funding opportunities. Through its annual Seed Funding Program, iSEE helps researchers build interdisciplinary partnerships, advance innovative ideas, and generate the early results needed to pursue larger research initiatives with real-world impact.

The four selected projects aim to transform food waste into clean aviation fuels, leverage artificial intelligence to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuels and safer nuclear energy technologies, and better understand the health of coral reefs threatened by microplastics.

2026-27 Seed funding recipients:

Circular Carbon Platform for Food Waste: Integrated Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and CO₂ Capture Materials

Principal investigator: Jiajun He, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
Co-principal investigator: Yuanhui Zhang, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

This project will transform food waste into two valuable products: sustainable aviation fuel and advanced carbon materials that capture carbon dioxide. By creating a closed-loop system that converts waste into clean energy and carbon capture technologies, the research aims to advance carbon-negative fuel systems while reducing landfill waste.

A Multi-Omics Investigation of Microplastic Effects on Coral Health

Principal investigator: Rosa Espinosa Marzal, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Co-principal investigators: Jonathan Sweedler, Department of Chemistry; Ran Mei, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Amy Wagoner Johnson, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering; Mayandi Sivaguru, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology; Boxuan Zhao, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology; Tracy Lawson, Department of Plant Biology.

Coral reefs support marine biodiversity, protect coastlines and sustain communities around the world, yet the effects of microplastics on coral health remain poorly understood. This project will use advanced molecular and biological tools to reveal how microplastics affect coral growth and resilience, laying the foundation for future coral restoration strategies and bio-inspired materials.

Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Design and Automation of Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Genetically Modified Bioenergy Crops

Principal investigator: Hong Yang, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Co-principal investigators: Jeremy Guest, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Vijay Singh, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Jeff Moore, Department of Chemistry; Diwakar Shukla, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

This project will use artificial intelligence to accelerate the production of hydrocarbon aviation fuel from a genetically modified non-food bioenergy crop developed at Illinois. Building on a breakthrough catalyst developed by the research team, the project aims to create a more efficient and economically viable pathway for producing next-generation jet fuel.

AI-Enabled Mechanistic Modeling of FeCrAl Corrosion in Nuclear Energy Systems

Principal investigator: Haohan Wang, School of Information Sciences
Co-principal investigator: Jianqi Xi, Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering.

This project will develop an artificial intelligence-powered modeling system to better predict how advanced nuclear materials corrode over time. The research could accelerate the development of safer, more durable materials for next-generation nuclear reactors while reducing the time and cost of complex scientific simulations.

Together, these four projects demonstrate the breadth of sustainability research at Illinois, bringing together expertise from engineering, environmental science, biology and artificial intelligence to tackle complex challenges with innovative, interdisciplinary solutions. By investing in promising ideas and collaborations, iSEE’s Seed Funding Program helps accelerate research that addresses some of today’s most pressing sustainability, energy and environmental challenges.

iSEE Announces First Levenick Undergraduate Research Scholars

Five talented University of Illinois students from varied disciplines across campus have been selected as the inaugural Levenick Undergraduate Research Scholars at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), giving them valuable hands-on research opportunities in environmental sustainability.

The Levenick Undergraduate Research Scholars will work with a faculty mentor to evaluate a sustainability challenge on campus, analyze data related to the issue, and make recommendations about how to address it. Funded by a generous gift from donors Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick, the program offers independent study credit and experiential learning for students, a small financial incentive for mentors, and fresh ideas to improve sustainability on campus.

The students submitted research proposals to advance goals outlined in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), using data they collect or already gathered by the campus. Their projects will explore ways to expand recycling, improve energy efficiency, reuse waste for sustainable fuel or renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Enrolled in five different colleges across campus, the young scholars bring diverse skills and perspectives to this effort:

Dylan Wombacher, a sophomore in Plant Biotechnology (College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences): A project to quantify single-use plastic waste in labs across campus and identify where a recycling program would have the most impact. Wombacher will be mentored by Isaac Klimasmith, lecturer in statistics and quantitative plant sciences and incoming Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Crop Sciences.
Kristina Muharremaj, a junior in Earth, Society, & Environmental Sustainability (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences): A project examining how the spacing of public lighting affects students’ perceptions of pedestrian safety after dark, and what changes could improve energy efficiency without compromising pedestrian comfort. Muharremaj will be mentored by Nooreen Meghani, Teaching Assistant Professor in the School of Earth, Society, and Environment.
John Han, a junior in Finance and Data Science (Gies College of Business): A project investigating the energy consumption impact of retrocommissioning – operational changes to improve a building’s energy efficiency – to assess whether it delivers meaningful savings and to help prioritize future investments. Han will be mentored by Eric Green, Senior Academic Program Instructor/Adviser at iSEE.
Vivek Limaye, a sophomore in Aerospace Engineering (Grainger College of Engineering): A project to evaluate whether food scraps, agricultural residues, and other campus organic waste can serve as a viable source of sustainable aviation fuel production, by analyzing feedstock availability and bioprocessing performance. He will be mentored by Luis Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Michelle Martignon, a sophomore in Sustainable Design (College of Fine and Applied Arts): A project developing a framework for a full feasibility study for an anaerobic digester at the U. of I. Dairy Farm, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manure and advance renewable energy and resource recovery. Martignon will be mentored by Karin Hodgin Jones, Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of the Sustainable Design Program.

Overall, the program is designed to empower students with the critical analytical skills needed to be global stewards of environmental sustainability and engage them in the responsibilities of making our campus and the world more sustainable.

About Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick

Stuart Levenick retired as group president from Caterpillar Inc., where he held a variety of executive roles, and he currently holds board positions with several international corporations. He also serves as a member of the board of directors and the development committee chair for the University of Illinois Foundation, and is a member of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Campaign Planning Committee. Stuart Levenick graduated from the College of ACES with a bachelor’s degree in forestry and furthered his education as a Sloan Fellow, earning a master’s degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was awarded the University of Illinois Varsity “I” Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and the College of ACES Career Achievement Award in 2018.

Nancy Levenick graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Education, and taught high school English in Toronto before the couple embarked on an eight-move, global career, including assignments in Canada, Singapore, Russia, and Japan, returning to Peoria in 2004. Since then, Nancy Levenick has been an active member of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois Advocacy Board and a board member of WTVP and the Peoria Ballet. Both Stuart and Nancy have been active members of the Heart of Illinois United Way.

iSEE Director Madhu Khanna Elected to AAAS

Madhu Khanna.

Madhu Khanna, Alvin H. Baum Family Chair and Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), has been named a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the highest honors awarded to U.S. scientists.

Khanna, an environmental economist, is among three University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professors recognized this year by AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals. Fellows are elected annually by the AAAS Council for exceptional achievements across disciplines – from research, teaching, and technology to administration and communicating science to the public.

“I’m incredibly honored to be selected as an AAAS Fellow,” Khanna said. “It’s gratifying to be recognized by your peers and to see environmental social science research elevated through this prestigious award.”

The new AAAS Fellows will be honored at a forum in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 2026.

Khanna, who first joined the U. of I. Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics in 1995, is the ACES Distinguished Professor in Environmental Economics in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

In her ground-breaking research, Khanna explores what motivates agricultural producers to participate in conservation programs or adopt innovative approaches to meet demands for food and fuel, such as precision farming and biofuels. Her work informs stakeholders and policy makers about the cost-effectiveness of various policies to improve environmental quality and their implications for farm profitability, land use, and food and fuel production. Her pioneering analysis of voluntary approaches to environmental protection demonstrated that firms can be effectively motivated to reduce their pollution voluntarily because it may preempt future regulation, while also improving a firm’s reputation with investors and consumers.

Khanna also leads her field in developing models to understand the impact of biofuels and renewable energy policies on food and fuel prices, as well as land use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water quality. Her interdisciplinary research provides insights from the farm level to the economy as a whole.

Khanna was named iSEE Director in July 2022 but has been a leader at the Institute since its inception in December 2013, first as Associate Director for Education & Outreach, then as Associate Director for Research, and as Interim Director in 2020. The institute addresses the world’s pressing sustainability, energy, and environmental needs by bringing together faculty, students, and staff from across campus to focus on research solutions, campus sustainability, and academics and engagement — all through an interdisciplinary lens.

Under Khanna’s leadership, iSEE has expanded its multimillion-dollar research portfolio with major projects focusing on agrivoltaics, circular bioeconomy systems, sustainable transportation, and smart and sustainable agriculture – including the I-FARM “Farm of the Future,” the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center, and the Levenick Center for a Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy. She is Director of iSEE’s SCAPES Agrivoltaics Project, which integrates solar arrays with crops and recently opened a new custom research installation at the Illinois Energy Farm.

The institute also successfully launched an Environmental Leadership Program, which is training the next generation of sustainability leaders, and a new EcoReps sustainability ambassadors program. Additionally, iSEE has continued to lead the development of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), support expansion of on-campus solar and geothermal energy projects, and partner with other academic units on innovative learning opportunities for students.

At Illinois, Khanna holds appointments with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; the Center for Digital Agriculture at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications; the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology; and the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. She is also a Co-PI at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), a Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center, and a University of Illinois Scholar. She was President of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and is a Fellow of AAEA and the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.

Levenick Professorships Honor Guan and Guest for Advancing Global Sustainability

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), and The Grainger College of Engineering celebrated the investiture of two campus researchers for their leadership in advancing resilient food systems, clean energy transitions, and shaping global sustainability technologies.

“What we’re celebrating is momentum,” said iSEE Director Madhu Khanna. “The Levenicks’ commitment to sustainability is inspiring a new generation of leaders who are tackling our most pressing global challenges.”

Professors Kaiyu Guan, as the Levenick Professor of Sustainability, and Jeremy Guest, as the Levenick Professor and Director of the Levenick Center for a Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy, were honored on October 9 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“This investiture honors not only a remarkable record but a mindset: clarity of purpose, intellectual rigor, and a conviction that science should serve people and invite students to see themselves shaping the future,” said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero.

Their appointments were made possible through the generosity of Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick, longtime supporters of the University of Illinois, whose philanthropy has helped establish endowed professorships, student scholarships, and sustainability programs that drive real-world change.

“With this dual investiture, we recognize the contributions of these two outstanding faculty members,” said Grainger College of Engineering Executive Associate Dean Philippe Geubelle. “We also celebrate a model for how the University of Illinois can address pressing societal challenges through collaboration, partnership, and shared vision.”

Kaiyu Guan is an internationally recognized scientist whose work integrates computational modeling, satellite remote sensing, field observation, and artificial intelligence to understand how climate and human activity shape agriculture and ecosystems. A professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in the College of ACES, Guan has produced more than 160 highly cited publications and has received over $22 million in competitive support from NASA, NSF, USDA, and DOE. His recognitions range from the NSF CAREER and NASA New Investigator awards to the AGU James B. Macelwane Medal and the FoodShot Global GroundBreaker Prize. As the founding director of the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center and chief scientist for the NASA Acres Program, his research advances food and water security while promoting sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.

Jeremy Guest, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in Grainger Engineering, also serves as associate director for research at iSEE and as deputy theme lead for sustainability for the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). He is the recipient of an NSF CAREER Award, the Paul L. Busch Award for innovation in applied water quality research from the Water Research Foundation, and the James J. Morgan Environmental Science & Technology Early Career Award for creativity and leadership in his field. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, his work focuses on advancing technologies that recover resources and convert plants into products, food, and fuels.

About Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick

Lei Zhao Awarded AGU James B. Macelwane Medal

Researcher Lei Zhao, an affiliate of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), has been awarded the AGU James B. Macelwane Medal in recognition of his work on climate change and urbanization.

Named for former AGU president James B. Macelwane, the award is given annually to three to five early career scientists for their significant contributions to Earth and Space Science. As an AGU Honoree, Zhao also receives automatic distinction as an AGU Fellow.

Zhao is an Assistant Pofessor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, where his research centers on the confluence of global climate change and urbanization, two of the most dominant forces shaping the Earth system and grand challenges of our generation. Together with his research group, he investigates how cities interact with climate system and develops the next-generation, urban-resolving Earth system models and digital twins. His work combines theory, Earth system modeling, remote sensing, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and advanced computing.

AGU, the world’s largest Earth and space science association, celebrates individuals and teams through its annual Honors and Recognition program for their accomplishments in research, education, science communication, and outreach. These honorees have transformed our understanding of the world, impacted our everyday lives, improved our communities and contributed to solutions for a sustainable future.

Zhao earned his Ph.D. from Yale University in 2015 and was a postdoctoral scholar at Princeton University before joining the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2018. In addition to his primary appointment with civil and environmental engineering, he is affiliated with iSEE, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, and the Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences. The AGU previously honored Zhao with its Global Environmental Change Early Career Award in 2023.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the James B. Macelwane Medal, and to be included among such distinguished past recipients,” Zhao said. “This honor reflects not only my own efforts but also the incredible support of my students, collaborators, colleagues, and mentors. This recognition would not have been possible without their invaluable contributions, guidance, and inspiration.”

Zhao joins a distinguished group of scientists, leaders and communicators recognized by AGU for advancing science. Each honoree reflects AGU’s vision for a thriving, sustainable and equitable future supported by scientific discovery, innovation and action.

“To me, this honor underscores the importance of advancing our understanding of how cities and climate interact, and the role that science can play in building a sustainable Earth’s future,” Zhao said. “I am grateful to AGU for giving us this recognition, and I hope to continue contributing to the scientific community with the same spirit of excellence and service that this award represents.”

Honorees will be recognized at AGU25, which will convene in New Orleans, Louisiana on 15-19 December 2025. Reflecting the theme ‘Where Science Connects Us’ at AGU25, the Honors Reception will recognize groundbreaking achievements that illustrate science’s continual advancement, inspiring the AGU community with their stories and successes.

Gift Establishes Levenick Center for a Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy

Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick stand together on the South Quad.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased to announce the creation of the Levenick Center for a Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy, the first such named center in the United States, pending approval by the Board of Trustees in November. Funded by a generous $10 million gift from Stuart L. (ACES ’76) and Nancy J. Levenick (pictured), the Center will be housed in the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), the cross-campus home for interdisciplinary science that tackles sustainability challenges and mitigation of climate change.

A climate-smart circular bioeconomy puts recycling and regeneration at the center of how we grow and process food. The aim is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals, and instead use technological and biological resources to restore and regenerate natural systems.

“It is more important than ever that we bring our best scientists together to build systems that allow us to meet the needs of a growing global economy without damaging the environment,” Stu Levenick said. “This unique center will leverage interdisciplinary collaboration with the University of Illinois leadership in agriculture, engineering, and sustainability to drive the science forward.”

The Center will support the hiring of faculty and attract resources to enable interdisciplinary team science and transformative partnerships with the public and private sector to develop environmentally and economically beneficial strategies that are climate-smart, circular, and aimed at decarbonizing the economy. The Center will also support new outreach programming, working closely alongside the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) to create a Corporate Sustainability in Practice Program that will prepare decision makers to implement climate-smart, circular, and net zero practices in their businesses.

“Transitioning to a climate-smart circular bioeconomy is a complex global challenge that requires diverse perspectives, multi-faceted knowledge, and breakthrough science that bridges disciplines,” said Madhu Khanna, Alvin H. Baum Family Chair and Director of iSEE. “We are immensely grateful to Stu and Nancy Levenick for this generous gift that reflects their deep commitment to interdisciplinary sustainability science and will position iSEE as a leader in developing creative and actionable solutions and public-private partnerships that have regional relevance and global impact.”

Illinois is a leader in agriculture, sustainability, weather and climate research, and engineering, and the Levenick Center is perfectly positioned to make inroads in decarbonization, improving food security, and predicting and adapting to climate change.

“As a land-grant institution rooted in the pursuit of innovation and discovery, we are deeply grateful to Stu and Nancy for their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research in sustainability,” said Germán Bollero, Dean and Robert A. Easter Chair in the College of ACES. “Their generous contributions align with ACES’ mission to address the world’s most pressing challenges to sustain and advance life. This gift will have a profound and lasting impact on both our campus and society at large.”

The Levenicks have been loyal supporters of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for many years. Their previous gifts have established the following: the Levenick Chair in Sustainability in the College of ACES; the Levenick Resident Scholars in Sustainability Leadership program; the Levenick iSEE Fellows Program; and a state-of-the-art classroom, meeting space, and media studio constructed with joint support from Caterpillar. They have also endowed athletic scholarships and helped fund the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Performance Center.

“The Levenicks have a vision for protecting our planet and building systems that repair the damage to our climate,” said Robert J. Jones, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Their investment in Illinois reflects their trust in our ability to provide bold and imaginative solutions, and I deeply appreciate their partnership as we continue to innovate around this critical goal.”

Stuart L. Levenick retired as group president from Caterpillar Inc., where he held a variety of executive roles during his thirty-seven-year career. He also serves as a member of the board of directors and chairs the engagement committee for the University of Illinois Foundation. Levenick was awarded the University of Illinois Varsity “I” Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and the College of ACES Career Achievement Award in 2018.

Nancy J. Levenick graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Education, and taught high school English in Toronto. Nancy Levenick has been an active member of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois Advocacy Board and a board member of WTVP and Peoria Ballet. Both Stu and Nancy have been active members of the Heart of Illinois United Way.

iSEE Awards 2026-27 Seed Funding to Four Interdisciplinary Research Teams

2026-27 Seed funding recipients:

Circular Carbon Platform for Food Waste: Integrated Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and CO2 Capture Materials

A Multi-Omics Investigation of Microplastic Effects on Coral Health

Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Design and Automation of Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Genetically Modified Bioenergy Crops

AI-Enabled Mechanistic Modeling of FeCrAl Corrosion in Nuclear Energy Systems

About Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick

Circular Carbon Platform for Food Waste: Integrated Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and CO₂ Capture Materials