EPA Press Office:

EPA Regional Administrator visits University of Pittsburgh to discuss research, collaboration

PITTSBURGH, PA (April 2,2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz participated in a faculty roundtable at the University of Pittsburgh to discuss current projects, research trends, and innovative approaches to today’s environmental issues.

Hosted by the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation and the Office of Sustainability, the interdisciplinary roundtable included representatives from several offices, including the Water Collaboratory, Circular Economy Program, and College of Arts and Sciences. The discussion provided Ortiz an overview of the proposed Pitt Sustainability Institute, how the university is addressing environmental justice in surrounding communities, and grant funded research.

"Across the region, we’ve been meeting with faculty, researchers, and students to learn more about approaches to some of today’s biggest challenges, what they’re finding, and how EPA can support those efforts,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “The interdisciplinary work happening at the University of Pittsburgh is exactly what’s needed to meet the complex environmental challenges of today.”

"The University was thrilled to welcome Regional Administrator Ortiz and the team to campus Tuesday.  We had the opportunity to engage in impactful conversations around Pitt’s interdisciplinary sustainability research and educational efforts, including community engaged research to positively impact communities," said Melissa Bilec, the George M. and Eva M. Bevier Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Co-director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, and Special Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh. "We hope this is the start of productive conversation and interconnected work to benefit our region.”

Visits such as these highlight EPA’s dedication to collaborating with academic institutions and promoting the importance of environmental education at all levels. Prior to his campus visit, Ortiz spent the morning with 3^rd-5^th graders at Pittsburgh’s Environmental Charter School.

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