Institute for Molecular Engineering Water Research Initiative

The Opportunity:

In June 2013 Chicago’s Mayor and the President of Israel attended a signing ceremony in Jerusalem with the presidents of the University of Chicago and Ben-Gurion University to launch the Water Research Initiative devoted to investigating all aspects of water use by bringing a multitude of molecular engineering approaches to enhance the purification and utilization of water. The two universities, together with Argonne National Laboratory, made significant initial contributions to the collaborative Initiative.  In the beginning stages, Arete worked closely with Matthew Tirrell, director of the Institute for Molecular Engineering, and scientists from the University, Ben-Gurion, and Argonne to conceptualize and develop a workshop agenda that formed the basis for the collaborative agreement.   Additionally, Arete contributed significant experience in running a request for proposals process that resulted in the Initiative’s inaugural cross-institutional projects.

What we did for them:

• Facilitate research feasibility and agenda-setting workshops
• Explore funding opportunities for international collaborations
• Collaborate with National Labs and international partners
• Facilitate strategic, long-term institutional planning

Principal Investigator:  Matthew Tirrell

Website: www.ime.uchicago.edu/themes/molecular_engineering_of_water_resources