Duke University and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have selected four collaborative climate research projects that aim to accelerate innovation and deliver practical solutions to some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges.
The NUS–Duke University Joint Sustainability Research Initiative Grants aim to strengthen research partnerships between the two institutions. The initiative builds on an expanding partnership between the universities, including recent Duke-NUS Medical School investments in collaborative climate and health research.
The four selected projects span renewable energy, climate resilience, public health and sustainable finance, reflecting the broad scope of climate-related challenges that require international collaboration. Together, the four projects represent a strategic investment in collaborative research that addresses global climate challenges through interdisciplinary science and international partnerships.
"These projects demonstrate the power of bringing together world-class researchers across disciplines and continents to tackle climate challenges that no single institution or country can solve alone," said Toddi Steelman, vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability at Duke University. "By investing in partnerships with NUS, we're advancing research that has the potential to generate transformative innovations and practical solutions for communities around the world. This initiative reflects Duke's commitment to translating bold ideas into real-world climate impact."
Lian Pin Koh, vice president (sustainability and resilience) and chief sustainability scientist at NUS, said: “Under the auspices of the NUS Sustainable Futures, this joint grant reflects the kind of international collaboration we need to accelerate real solutions for complex climate and sustainability challenges. By bringing together researchers from NUS and Duke University, we can synergize complementary expertise, test bold ideas and turn them into practical impact for communities in Singapore, the United States and beyond.”
One project will examine how trusted community organizations can improve public understanding of extreme heat risks. Led by Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, and Jason Kai Wei Lee, director of NUS’s Heat Resilience and Performance Centre, the research will investigate how trusted local intermediaries can bridge the gap between scientific heat-risk information and community action. The team will study differences between perceived and measured heat risks in both the United States and Singapore to improve public health communication strategies.
Another project will explore how wastewater monitoring can provide an early warning system for climate-driven foodborne diseases in Singapore. Duke molecular geneticist Lawrence David and NUS public health researcher Yann Boucher will combine molecular dietary surveillance with environmental health research to better understand how rising temperatures influence foodborne illness. Their work aims to create a population-scale monitoring system capable of informing public health responses as climate change increases disease risks.
Financing Asia's transition to cleaner energy is the focus of another project. Led by Duke's Sandeep Pai and Weina Zhang, NUS’s Deputy Director of Sustainable and Green Finance Institute, the research will examine how the strategic use of public and private capital can accelerate investment in renewable energy projects across Asia. By analyzing project data and real-world case studies, the team hopes to identify strategies that can help close the region's significant clean energy financing gap.
The fourth project seeks to advance geothermal energy while strengthening critical mineral supply chains. Faculty members Heileen Hsu-Kim of Duke and Weiyi Pan of NUS will lead a multidisciplinary team studying how geothermal brines can be managed to both generate renewable energy and recover valuable minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements. The research combines expertise in geochemistry, environmental engineering, and advanced membrane technologies to support decarbonization and resource security.
Supported by the Duke Climate Commitment and NUS Sustainable Futures, the initiative is backed by approximately $800,000 in combined funding to support joint teams led by principal investigators from both institutions. Duke will provide up to $100,000 USD for each project, and NUS will contribute up to $120,000 SGD per project. At Duke, the program is supported by the Office of the Provost, helping to advance interdisciplinary research that addresses the climate challenge.
Learn more: https://sustainability.duke.edu/nus-dukegrant/