Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy | Engagement | The Office of Sustainability

The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy (RISE) was established to bring together the university’s numerous efforts in areas from clean energy and energy resiliency to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water use.

The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy will foster integrated knowledge and action on important issues associated with sustainability, as well as enhancing student opportunities for education and real-world experience through internships.

RISE brings research centers and other campus initiatives under one umbrella:

Brian Rist and Director of Sustainability Ruairi O'Mahoney stand in front of the Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse

UMass Lowell’s Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse and RISE are named for Brian and Kim Rist, who earlier this year made the largest single donation – $5 million – to UMass Lowell in its history.

A $1 million share of that gift will fund the launch of the new institute and create an endowment for its future operations.

RISE Co-directors

Ruairi O'Mahony

Director - Sustainability
- Phone978-934-1866
- EmailRuairi_OMahony@uml.edu
Christopher Niezrecki

Chair, Professor, Director - Center for Wind Energy, Co-director - Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Laboratory, Co-director – Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy

Renewable energy systems, wind turbine dynamics, structural dynamic and acoustic systems, smart structures, signal processing, optical sensing, structural health monitoring, non-destructive inspection, and smart materials
- Phone978-934-2963
- EmailChristopher_Niezrecki@uml.edu
Juliette Rooney-Varga

Professor, Director

Climate Change and Sustainability, Microbial Ecology, Biogeochemistry
- Phone(978) 934-4715
- EmailJuliette_RooneyVarga@uml.edu

RISE Co-directors

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