Clemson University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Creative inquiry, “Aspire: Developing Peer Delivered Initiatives to Foster the Promotion of a Healthy Campus”. Aspire: Developing Peer Delivered Initiatives to Foster the Promotion of a Healthy Campus works with the Aspire to Be Well Program, which is a 90-minute peer-led health- and safety-focused dialogue and CU 1000 requirement. The dialogue covers key areas to maintaining a healthy and safe campus including overall wellness, sustainable living, alcohol and other drug misuse prevention, mental health and suicide prevention, and interpersonal violence prevention. Students will gain an understanding of campus resources and learn how to help others in need through risk-reduction strategies and bystander intervention. Students enrolled in this Creative Inquiry will explore topics related to Aspire, receive extensive training on delivering the content to new students and research trends related to health and wellness in higher education.

The Clemson Energy Visualization and Analytics Center (CEVAC) plays a big role in advancing sustainability efforts related to air and climate at Clemson University. By tracking factors such as GHG emissions, CEVAC helps the university work towards reducing its air pollution. CEVAC's ability to collect, analyze, and present data in an actionable format allows University Facilities to identify areas for improvement. CEVAC provides valuable hands-on experience for on-campus student interns, furthering their education in sustainable practices and data analytics. (Air & Climate) 

Creative inquiry, “Climate Change and Symbiosis”. Growing concerns of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and organisms has spurred extensive research into the topic. Climate change may alter community composition, population dynamics, and interspecific interactions, resulting in unexpected changes to ecosystems. However, research into the impacts of climate change on interspecific interactions, specifically symbiotic relationships, has been largely ignored. Currently, ongoing research is focusing on a freshwater symbiotic relationship involving crayfish and branchiobdellid worms, although research is not limited to this system.

Creative inquiry, “Smart and Healthy Buildings”. Buildings are generally considered as static objects with limited capability to adapt to varying environmental and operational conditions. One important aspect is the flow of users, which can vary significantly during a typical day. This project consists of developing and testing the technology necessary to identify and quantify the flow of users in a building, and even track the location of each user in real time. It is anticipated that once users can be tracked, the building operating conditions, such as HVAC conditions and lighting, can be altered to create the necessary conditions for optimal comfort. Several technologies are under development including the analysis of signal strength of mobile devices from wireless access points. The students involved in this CI project will work with industrial partners to test various technologies in several buildings on campus, including the Watt Family Innovation Center. (Buildings) 

Creative inquiry, “Evaluating the Impact of Green Infrastructures on Storm Runoff and Flooding”. Implementation of green infrastructure (GI) is an effective measure for mitigating the effects of stormwater runoff. This proposed research project aims to create a joint modeling and optimization framework to model the stormwater quantity and to determine optimal types and location of GI practices. We investigate (i) how to estimate runoff reduction effectiveness as a function of location, type, and size of GI practices; (ii) how to create a stochastic optimization framework that adaptively integrates the estimated runoff reduction to help decision-making to reduce flooding impacts; and (iii) validate and test the proposed framework and solutions.

The CEVAC is also a key player in advancing energy sustainability at Clemson University. By monitoring and analyzing energy usage in buildings across campus, CEVAC helps the university work towards its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. CEVAC tracks factors such as energy consumption, and provides valuable insights for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. CEVAC's data-driven approach and actionable insights are instrumental in driving energy sustainability efforts at Clemson University. (Energy) 

Creative inquiry, “Leveraging Diverse Energy Sources for CO2 Mitigation Reactions towards an Equitable Carbon-Neutral Future”. The catalytic conversion of CO2 into energy-rich commodities is an effective approach of combating global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions while enabling the sustainable energy future. While the overall feasibility the technological routes can be estimated by thermodynamics, the uncertainties of operational efficiency and cost heavily rely on the choices of catalytic technologies. To ensure our transition to a clean-energy future can be truly equitable without leaving anyone behind, the catalysts for targeted reactions must be affordable and adaptable to energy infrastructure of diverse communities. Two of the major hurdles against this vision are 1) the high cost of catalytic materials due to the undue use of expensive catalytic metals, and 2) the limited options of reaction energy input from established industry process to provide tailored reaction engineering solutions. Therefore the goal of the proposed project is to prove the concept of designing CO2 conversion technologies with minimal catalytic materials and optimal energy input for those catalytic materials. The two main objectives are:1) Designing catalytic metal atoms with both 100 % material efficiency and high intrinsic activity as alternative to nanoparticles.2) Identifying optimal reaction energy input sources as thermo, magnetic, or electro to maximize the reaction activity and selectivity of the catalysts developed in Objective#1. 

The creative inquiry titled,  “Nutraceutical and Functional Foods Research and Product Development”. In this CI project, students will learn to use state-of-the-art analytical instruments to analyze food components, such as vitamins, amino acids, flavors,  food additives, nutraceuticals, etc, which are the major nutritional and functional chemicals in foods. At the end of the research project, students are expected to be able to have gained critical thinking skills, learned basic principles of experimental design,  mastered one or more modern analytical instruments, learned how to perform basic statistical analyses and written a professional report. (Food & Dining) 

A “Nutrition Education & Life-Style Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes”. This CI will introduce students to the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in SC, the US and worldwide as well as the resources available to individuals with diabetes locally. Existing programs addressing type 2 diabetes – prevention and treatment – will be researched and critiqued. An intervention specific for the population that we will work with will be created and implemented following a thorough literature review and hypothesis(es) generated which will facilitate development of an effective intervention for a local population. Students will be trained in anthropometrics and assessment measures such as finger sticks & glucometer use, physical assessments that are diabetes related such as skin changes, foot and eye changes. They will also learn how to assess HgA1C, breath and urine changes with uncontrolled diabetes in order to more effectively relate to and treat their clients. Blood pressure will also be monitored as cardiovascular changes occur with uncontrolled diabetes. Students will plan and develop an educational intervention and/or plan a media campaign and learn/practice assessments Fall semester along with conducting a pilot assessment. (Food and Dining) 

Creative inquiry, “Controlled Environment Agriculture: Innovation of Distributing Food to Urban Environments and Food Deserts”. The project will provide an atmosphere for the design and evaluation of a moderate sized controlled environment container to yield animal protein, vegetables to supplement fresh food in an urban environment.  Urban areas, also called food deserts, have limitations to fresh food and previous research has proven that, if available, people would welcome the choice of fresh food to prepare in their household. People are also reassured that the products being produced are fresh and free from harmful chemicals. Transportation is limited for these people so getting to a grocery store is somewhat restricted, so the idea of bringing a food production unit to the area is widely accepted.  Presently these portable controlled environment units are available and expensive, however economics performed usually show limited to no revenue.  The CI will investigate what is needed for the unit to produce food but on a more economical scale.  This would also benefit school systems by providing fresh food to supplement the cafeteria needs for fresh food and at the same time becomes an effective teaching tool that can be positive reinforcement for understanding science, math and economics topics in an enjoyable and dynamic atmosphere.

A creative inquiry titled, “Survey of Woody Invasive Species on the Clemson University Experimental Forest”, aimed to identify and assess invasive plant species within the forest. This project contributed to advancing sustainability efforts for grounds management by providing essential data for controlling invasive species, which can degrade ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. The survey also offered educational opportunities for students to learn about invasive species management and sustainable land stewardship. (Grounds) 

Creative inquiry, “Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden”.Design, installation, and maintenance are essential to creating a sustainable landscape that is a display or model for education. Sustainability is defined according to the Brundtland report (1987) as the integrated use of social, environmental, and economic approaches to effect positive developmental change. Sustainable Sites Initiative (2009) is a working model for the creation of sustainable landscapes. Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden is a project that intends to alter the physical environment and enhance the landscape using environmental and psychological measures through the design and installation of a native plant garden.

Creative inquiry, “From Trash to Treasure: The Chemical and Organic Recycling of Plastics to Valuable Materials”. Plastics have become a ubiquitous item in almost every industry and household due in part to their durability and low cost.  However, this combination has resulted in an explosion of plastic waste that can be found in almost every ecosystem on earth.  Traditional recycling methods have only been successful at converting around 10% of plastic waste into usable material.  This creative inquiry course will explore chemical recycling and organic recycling (i.e. composting) that aims to convert plastic waste to usable chemicals and materials in a circular lifecycle.  Chemical and organic recycling has the potential to turn trash into treasure by valorizing waste, therefore creating incentive for its capture and reuse.  However, the conversion of plastic waste to usable chemicals comes with the challenges of high energy expenditures, additional chemical usage and difficult feedstocks composed of mixed and contaminated plastics.  This course will examine established techniques and those on the cutting edge in terms of lifecycle, technoeconomic analysis and feasibility.

Creative Inquiry, “From Trash to Treasure: The Chemical and Organic Recycling of Plastics to Valuable Materials”. Plastics have become a ubiquitous item in almost every industry and household due in part to their durability and low cost.  However, this combination has resulted in an explosion of plastic waste that can be found in almost every ecosystem on earth.  Traditional recycling methods have only been successful at converting around 10% of plastic waste into usable material.  This creative inquiry course will explore chemical recycling and organic recycling (i.e. composting) that aims to convert plastic waste to usable chemicals and materials in a circular lifecycle.  Chemical and organic recycling has the potential to turn trash into treasure by valorizing waste, therefore creating incentive for its capture and reuse.  However, the conversion of plastic waste to usable chemicals comes with the challenges of high energy expenditures, additional chemical usage and difficult feedstocks composed of mixed and contaminated plastics.  This course will examine established techniques and those on the cutting edge in terms of lifecycle, technoeconomic analysis and feasibility.

The creative inquiry titled Inventory of Streams and Watersheds in the Clemson Experimental Forest aimed to catalog and assess our natural resources. This project contributed to advancing sustainability in water management at Clemson University by providing essential data and recommendations for protecting these resources and educating students in environmental conservation. (Water) 

Creative inquiry, “International Design Projects With Engineers Without Borders (EWB) for Sustainable Water Systems”. Students participating in this Creative Inquiry will help to lead the design and development of sustainable systems to provide drinking water and associated water treatment for communities in developing countries as part of an official project with the Clemson University Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

Creative inquiry, “Embodiment and Race Conference Organization”.The conference on Embodiment and Race (November 4-7, 2021) is a two-day interdisciplinary conference that will explore the issues of race and embodiment from the perspectives of critical-race theory and phenomenology. The aim of the conference is to open a space for Clemson University and the local community where we can extend and deepen our understanding of recent debates on race, racialization, and being an embodied agent of a minority group. This conference will bring together academics who work on race and embodiment to share their studies and discuss different approaches to these issues. In my teaching I explore the issues of philosophy of racism and racial embodiment focusing on questions: What role does embodiment play in the experience of racism and/or racial harm? How do various social policies benefit or burden people classified as being a given race? Does racism harm the racist as well as the victim? (Diversity & Affordability) 

Creative inquiry, “Improving Inclusion in Organizations”. Over the past two years, the demand for diversity training in organizations has skyrocketed. However, many of these efforts fall short at improving workplace  inclusion climate. This CI team will use experimental and field-based research to explore new approaches to diversity training to better understand what makes diversity training work. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience designing and implementing research studies, developing surveys using Qualtrics, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. (Diversity & Affordability) 

Creative inquiry, “International Design Projects With Engineers Without Borders (EWB) for Sustainable Water Systems”. Students participating in this Creative Inquiry will help to lead the design and development of sustainable systems to provide drinking water and associated water treatment for communities in developing countries as part of an official project with the Clemson University Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

The creative inquiry “Meaningful Work in Medicine”. This Creative Inquiry team will examine meaningful work as a buffer against the effects of stressors on emergency physicians, as well as determine interventions that should enhance meaningful work and therefore reduce stress and burnout. Students will gain experience in all phases of the research process. (Wellbeing & Work) 

Creative Inquiry, “Stress, Health, & Well-Being". This CI team focuses on three common health behaviors: sleep, physical activity, and nutrition. Research projects can include objective and subjective measures such as performance, activity, exercise, sleep logs, affective/emotion, satisfaction with life, circadian rhythms, self-control, and other daily functioning tasks/scales. The broad goal of this research is to develop and document intervention strategies to improve performance, health, and well-being in college students and in workers.