Center for Environmental Research & Technology
1084 Columbia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92507
certinfo@cert.ucr.edu
(951) 827-8509
The Bourns College of Engineering, Center for Environmental Research & Technology (CE-CERT)’s mission is to be a recognized leader in environmental education, a collaborator with industry and government to improve the technical basis for regulations and policy, a creative source of new technology, and a contributor to a better understanding of the environment. Established in 1992 and now operating as the largest research center at the University of California at Riverside, CE-CERT brings together multiple disciplines throughout campus to address society’s most pressing environmental challenges in air quality, climate change, energy, and transportation. CE-CERT’s activities encompass all three aspects of the University of California’s overarching mission: research, education, and public service.
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RESEARCH AREAS
For over 25 years, CE-CERT has proudly served as a model for partnerships among industry, government, and academia and has brought together faculty and students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines in pursuit of the knowledge needed to achieve environmental sustainability. From working to understand how emissions impact air quality to developing the technologies needed to improve solar and other renewable energy sources, our research teams are continuing the tradition of innovation through research and development in support of one or more of out five research focus areas:
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EDUCATION
CE-CERT’s interdisciplinary approach connects students from various backgrounds to work cooperatively on hands-on research. We employ over 40 undergraduate students at any given time, majoring in engineering, science, business and policy. If you are an undergraduate student interested in having hands-on experience working on projects, see our current job opportunities site. We also support the research and thesis efforts of approximately 50 engineering graduate students.
In addition to contributing to the education of UCR students, CE-CERT is excited to now offer professional education programs, which are certificate programs designed to prepare professionals of all experience levels across industries for careers in air quality and climate research. Interested individuals can contact the outreach coordinator regarding upcoming professional education opportunities.
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PUBLIC SERVICE AND ENGAGEMENT
CE-CERT is continuously searching for engagement opportunities to honor its long-standing commitment to the development of future innovators, educators, researchers and leaders. From conferences to initiatives and everything in between, CE-CERT regularly hosts events that bring together community members with the goal of creating positive change through education and engagement with the people around us. Examples include the EV Ride and Drive, our Annual Open house, and the STEP conference geared particularly for teachers and k-12 students. For more information, please view our upcoming events or contact CE-CERT’s outreach coordinator.
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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
CE-CERT collaborates with industry on numerous projects to develop, validate, and improve technologies related to energy and the environment, and to implement pilot scale demonstration and testbeds to vet the viability of new technologies on a usable scale. Our work and utilization of the lab to market model has resulted in the development of various software systems, emissions measurement protocols, and innovative research that impacts everyday usage of technology.
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HONEST BROKER
For over 25 years, CE-CERT has proudly served as a model for partnerships among industry, government, and academia in collaboration to develop, validate, and improve technologies related to energy and the environment. In response to the growing need for CE-CERT to continue to fulfill its role as an “honest broker,” CE-CERT is developing key consortia in the fields of sustainable transportation, air quality, and renewable energy. CE-CERT will provide a sustained venue where industry, academia and regulatory agencies can work with faculty and students to resolve long-range challenges, produce the knowledge needed for steady advances in technology and their speedy transition to the marketplace, and champion the way towards improved environmental quality. For more information, please visit our consortia page.