The Center for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) was established to conduct applied research directed toward the critical environmental problems of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond and to educate environmental professionals for the twenty-first century.

Research conducted by CERE faculty affiliates spans both the natural and social science areas. The USDA, NIEHS, and EPA are funding biological research in the areas of environmental estrogens and microbiological processes with potential environmental applications. Funding for work on environmental chemical analytical methods in speciated isotope dilution mass spectroscopy (SIDMS), microwave sample preparation, and ultra-trace analysis has been provided by a number of government and industry organizations. Work done on the effects of environmental regulation on international business, studied in collaboration with faculty from the A.J. Palumbo School of Business, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the evaluation of voluntary compliance and the design and implementation of “green” construction and business practices is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

CERE is home to two graduate programs, several professional certificate programs, a B.S. degree, a minor, and numerous joint undergraduate and graduate programs.

Video of Rachel Carson Centennial Lecture; Prof. Helmut Hillebrand, University of Cologne