We draw upon University-wide expertise to develop, test, and scale new approaches across sectors. Our programs and initiatives are interdisciplinary, impact-first, and partnerships-powered.
Teams & Initiatives
Every Global Impact Lab team and initiative is backed by dedicated grant funding, tailored guidance, and access to targeted resources.
We work with teams to reach milestones, surface insights, and accelerate breakthroughs at every stage. The program helps teams conduct early-stage pilots with real-world partners, quantify and communicate their impact, and build partnerships with stakeholders.
Uses AI to optimize battery dispatch, advancing NYC's electrification and grid resilience
Academic Lead: Dan Steingart, Columbia Engineering | Project Lead: Richard May, Every Electric | Partner: ConEd New York
Applies AI to improve precision recovery of critical materials for climate resilience
Academic Lead: Greeshma Gadikota, Columbia Engineering | Project Lead: Aparna Choudhary and Regana Alicka | Partner: US Critical Minerals
Develops autonomous technology for water quality surveillance, monitoring, and remediation
Academic Lead: Joaquim Goes, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory | Project Lead: Cody O’Farrall | Partner: AquOM and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
Builds community-driven strategies and tools to accelerate and increase flood resilience in NYC
Academic Lead: Malgosia Madajewicz, Center for Climate Systems Research |Project Lead: Erfan Amini | Partner: NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
Develops anticipatory action and insurance models to protect heat-exposed garment supply chain workers
Academic Lead: Nitin Magima, National Center for Disaster Preparedness | Project Lead: Catherine Oxholm | Partner: UN Foundation
Equips business leaders with actionable knowledge to direct capital toward decarbonization
Academic Lead: Gernot Wagner, Columbia Business School | Project Lead: Ariela Cohen, Selen Olmez
Tackles microplastic pollution through innovative water filtration systems and microfiber policy
Academic Lead: Beizhan Yan, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory | Project Lead: Antoinette Wannebo, CIESIN | Partner: MOBY Filter
Pioneers community-scale CO2 capture through nature-inspired artificial flowstones
Academic Lead: Dan Esposito, Shiho Kawashima, Shaina Kelly, Columbia Engineering | Project Lead: Daniela Bushiri | Partner: Heidelberg Materials and Captura
Bridges the gap between disaster research and on-the-ground practice
Academic Lead: Jeff Schlegelmilch, National Center for Disaster Preparedness | Project Lead: Josh DeVincenzo
Runs place-based workshops to mobilize funding, design, and policy for climate-resilient communities
Academic Lead: Kate Orff, Columbia GSAPP and Columbia Climate School | Project Lead: Johanna Lovecchio | Partner: The Nature Conservancy
Builds a plastics index and interactive policy map to strengthen global plastic laws
Academic Lead: Beizhan Yan, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Impact Advisory Council
An interdisciplinary network of leaders and advisors
The Impact Advisory Council is a cross-sector group of internal and external experts who provides oversight and strategic support for Global Impact Lab initiatives.
At a Glance
Milestones and metrics from our early-stage teams, measured in partnerships built, tools developed, prototypes tested, and people reached.