DIRE-FEWS: A Convergence Research Initiative
DIsaster REsillient Food Energy Water Systems
SRS RN: Integrated Food, Energy, Water Units for Disaster Resilient Sustainable Regional Systems
The US National Science Foundation has awarded a planning grant to the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station for developing research in the direction of Disaster Resilient Food Energy Water Systems (DIRE-FEWS). Our core partners in this work are members from the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M Kingsville, Mississippi State University, Southern University, RAPID Manufacturing Institute®, Nature Conservancy® (Louisiana), Argonne National Lab, and Observer Research Foundation.
This SRS-RN planning grant aims to build a convergent research program which will develop a new class of multi-faceted resilient process systems to facilitate rural-urban connected communities in sustainably managing their basic needs of food, energy, and water (FEW) while enhancing ecological and community resilience to disasters. We will be conducting webinars, surveys, and workshops in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi to build a long-term research agenda.
Engage in DIRE-FEWS Workshops
Stakeholder Engagement Workshops are intended to help us formulate convergent research questions for a long-term agenda for DIRE-FEWS. We identify stakeholders as those who have experienced disasters in the Gulf Coast, faced disruptions in life, education, businesses, relief/response efforts, governance, technology, policies, or otherwise. Help us to formulate the research agenda by participating in the workshops at a location near you.
Learn through DIRE-FEWS Webinars
Webinars are free for all, and intended to inform researchers, communities, policy makers, social capital organizations, businesses, and wider public on aspects of disasters, food-energy-water systems, tools, technology development, and sustainability for regional systems. Join the webinar series to know the several aspects we envision for convergence research, engage in STEM activities, and provide your perspectives for long-term research agenda.
Subscribe to learn more, get engaged, and participate in the project.
Early engagement of stakeholders is key to the success of DIRE-FEWS project. Provide your expertise, knowledge, practical problems faced during disasters, and let your voices be heard. If you have a technology, planning tool, or policy perspective, we would like to partner with you for implementing for a positive societal benefit. Express your interest in participation by subscribing at the link below.
Contact: Debalina Sengupta (Lead PI, TEES GFRC/Texas A&M Energy Institute) debalinasengupta@tamu.edu for more information on the project or upcoming events.
Co-PIs: Lucy M. Camacho (TAMUK); C. Elizabeth Stokes (MSU); Seth Blitch (Nature Conservancy); Ignasi Palou Rivera (RAPID); Damien Ejigiri (Southern University); Efstratios Pistikopoulos (Texas A&M EI/TAMU Chemical Engineering); Mahmoud El-Halwagi (TEES GFRC/Texas A&M EI/TAMU Chemical Engineering)
Senior Personnel: Vilas Mujumdar (Independent Consultant); Troy Hawkins (ANL); Anurag Danda (ORF); Debjyoti Banerjee (TEES GFRC/Texas A&M EI/TAMU Mechanical Engineering); Onyumbe Lukongo (Southern University); Bassel Daher (Texas A&M EI); Arkasama Bandyopadhyay (TAMU Mechanical Engineering); Valentini Pappa (TAMUQ); Shelly Tornquist (TEES EWD)
