Ten years of J-WAFS

J-WAFS celebrates its 10-year anniversary by championing the faculty, students, and other community members whose research, innovations, and expertise have made a meaningful impact in water and food across the globe.

This spring, we are presenting highlights of the important work J-WAFS has supported since our launch ten years ago. Each month will showcase an area of impact, with corresponding articles and pieces—starting with faculty in February, followed by research in March, students/alumni in April, and concluding with commercialization in May. We begin with a retrospective overview from our founding director, Professor John H. Lienhard V.

Anniversary kick-off message from J-WAFS founding director John H. Lienhard

Hear from our founding director

Lienhard looks back on ten years of advancing MIT research addressing water and food challenges from different angles and in a wide variety of contexts.

J-WAFS ushers in its second decade under new direction

Rohit Karnik stands in front of a building with windows and a yellow wall

Rohit Karnik named director of J-WAFS

The mechanical engineering professor will lead MIT’s only program specifically focused on water and food for human need.

Faculty impact stories

grid collage featuring researcher headshots; pics of researchers giving presentations, working with students, and working with people in the field

Transforming water and food research at MIT

J-WAFS strengthens faculty efforts by driving engagement and catalyzing new research and innovation.

Faculty impact spotlight: Sara Beery

MIT assistant professor Sara Beery uses automation to monitor migrating salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

Research impact stories

J-WAFS visiting scholar Chandra Madramootoo reflects on 10 years of J-WAFS research

Madramootoo notes examples of how MIT researchers strive to ensure access to clean water and safe food across the globe.

Robbie Wilson smiles and holds three potted plants

Robbie Wilson explains a J-WAFS Grand Challenge project on photosynthesis

Robbie Wilson, PhD, is a research scientist in the Department of Chemistry who is working on a genetic engineering project with the potential to unlock increases to crop yields.

J-WAFS progresses research from seed stage to commercialization

Professor Patrick Doyle and his team from the Department of Chemical Engineering have advanced a water purification system with the help of J-WAFS grants since 2019.

Student impact stories

A group of people standing in a conference room, posing for a photo beside a J-WAFS sign

J-WAFS helps MIT students advance water and food solutions

J-WAFS supports student engagement through grants, fellowships, events, mentorship, and funding for clubs.

Sarah Fletcher standing outside in front of a low green bush

Past J-WAFS fellow studies water management decisions

Sarah Fletcher SM ’12, PhD ’18 cites her engagement with J-WAFS in helping her to tackle global challenges in water insecurity through robust scientific innovation.

A group of six different photos in circular bubbles of students working in labs, a woman carrying a water bucket on her shoulder in India, three students at a water conference wearing badges, two students with a desalination device on a pier, and a group of students holding large cardboard checks

Looking for student opportunities?

Learn about the many student engagement opportunities that J-WAFS offers to MIT students working in water and food.

Commercialization impact stories

Group of people making up the Nona team stand in a line in front of a TV mounted on a wall

J-WAFS Solutions grant brings research to market

Nona Technologies is an example of how J-WAFS has launched real-world solutions to water and food challenges.

A collage of five pictures showing Susan Murcott in the lab laughing with students; Brendan Smith speaking on a panel; women in rural India using a water filtration device; Eric Verploegen and some students smiling with local a community in Kenya, holding fruits; and researchers taking notes, speaking with a man in India

10 years of translating MIT research into results

J-WAFS works within MIT’s innovation and entrepreneurship system to create water, food, and ag startups with social and economic benefits.

J-WAFS celebrated its anniversary on May 22 at a special event!

A square graphic for with the text J-WAFS 10th anniversary event and a picture of the MIT Welcome Center Lobby in the top right corner

See the event page

On the afternoon of May 22, J-WAFS hosted an anniversary celebration in the lobby of MIT’s Welcome Center.

Read a recap of what happened at the event

Over 100 community members and friends of J-WAFS came together to recognize J-WAFS’ far-reaching impact over the past ten years.

Community Jameel spelled out in red with a red and white heart to the right

Community Jameel summarizes J-WAFS' 10th anniversary

The ten year anniversary marks a decade of transformative research and global impact in addressing critical water and food issues.

J-WAFS funding opportunities

A cartoon icon in blue of a plant on top of a dollar sign with a circle around it

Grants, fellowships, and other support

Click here to learn more about the many funding opportunities J-WAFS provides to the MIT community.

Learn about our impact since our inception

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