Interdisciplinary Initiatives

UB's Communities of Excellence and our interdisciplinary initiatives are an innovative and integrated approach to addressing critical societal challenges through impactful interdisciplinary research, education and engagement.

wind turbines in Buffalo.
RENEW: Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water
7/31/18
UB RENEW (Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water) Institute is university-wide and interdisciplinary, focusing on complex energy and environmental issues, as well as the social and economic ramifications. It helps develop and coordinate innovative research, education and outreach programs.
Faculty member in lab with students.
SMART: Sustainable Manufacturing and Advanced Robotic Technologies
5/20/19
The Sustainable Manufacturing and Advanced Robotic Technologies (SMART) Community of Excellence is using design, smart materials and automation to transform advanced manufacturing. Industry leaders, faculty and students are focused on innovative and sustainable ways to bring customizable products to market.
Global Health Equity
1/18/19
Health inequity is one of the defining issues of the 21st century. The Community for Global Health Equity brings transdisciplinary solutions to complex problems that affect population health-child survival, infectious disease, non-communicable disease and refugee health.
GEM: The Genome, the Environment and the Microbiome
1/18/19
The Genome, Environment and Microbiome Community of Excellence is empowering people with the tools necessary to understand personal health issues. This new model--an innovative and integrative approach--is revolutionizing the emerging field of personalized medicine.
Autonomous shuttle driving along a citiscape.
Transportation Research and Education
7/9/19
Helping first responders get to patients faster. Finding drivers the most fuel efficient routes with "green navigation." Developing machine learning methods for accident analysis. It all happens here, at the University at Buffalo.