Program Overview

The NEXT program is offered at Purdue University and North Carolina A&T. Accepted students will be involved in research at both institutions. This collaboration not only increases the number of admitted students, but also increases the breadth of expertise available. The program design provides the same quality and rigor at each university. You only need to apply to one university.

The education and training outcomes are guided by the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) framework, with particular emphasis on “Responsible Business and Economy” and “Environmental Impact Assessment.” The EOP framework is the culmination of 5 years of development, pilot testing, and input. Trainees will complete four components:

1. An outcomes-based curriculum
2. Doctoral dissertation
3. At least one research-based internship experience aligned with the student’s dissertation topic
4. Formal, explicit training in communication, ethics, and teamwork in a project-based course

Research

All research projects will fall under one of three pillars:

GREENING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

A primary objective of this research pillar will be to develop methodologies and frameworks such that technological innovation in hardware, firmware, and software will be central to improving the environmental sustainability of a particular system.

Faculty mentors in this area:
Lauren Davis, John Howarter, Venktesh Pandey, Kaushik Roy, Om Yadav

DE-CARBONIZING STEEL AND ELECTRICITY

Objectives of this research pillar include developing lifecycle assessment methods for considering the consequential impacts of energy system transitions to producing large quantities of low-carbon fuels and materials, and methods for quantifying the suitability of new, lower-intensity materials as substitutes for existing materials.

Faculty mentors in this area:
Rebecca Ciez, Clayton J. Clark, Inez Hua, Manoj Jha, Stephanie Luster-Teasley, Ahmed Megri, John W. Sutherland

TRANSPORTATION

This research pillar aims to develop framework and modeling tools that integrate techno-economic analysis and supply chain risk evaluation into environmental assessments of emerging technologies such as electrification, shared mobility, and e-commerce.

Faculty mentors in this area:
Faisal M. Alkaabneh, Hua Cai, Steven Jiang, Venktesh Pandey

Internship (Paid)

All Trainees will be matched with an industry partner for a paid research-based internship or co-op during an at least one academic term (spring, summer or fall) for a minimum of 12 weeks and up to 16 weeks. Faculty advisors will work closely with companies to develop a project that aligns with the industry partners overall environmental sustainability and research and development goals. Projects will also be selected in conjunction with dissertation research when possible. An industry researcher will be included on the student’s doctoral committee.

Eligibility

Current first year PhD students and prospective PhD students are eligible to apply. Currently enrolled PhD students at Purdue or NC A&T should contact the Program Director at their respective institution (Hua or Clark). Students who are MS or PhD can participate in some or all elements of the program. However, MS students won’t be funded with the NSF NRT grant.

Prospective graduate students applying to the NEXT program must apply to and be accepted by a participating Ph.D. program at Purdue University West Lafayette Campus or North Carolina A&T. (See the 'Application Process' tab.) The NEXT NRT program and associated financial support is an add-on to normal admission and student status.

Applicants must be US citizens, US nationals or permanent residents of the United States.

This program is focused on preparing students for a career in sustainability within business or industry. Applicants should have a desire to follow this career path.

Application Process

Because we are in the first year (soft launch) of the program, there is not a formal application process to join the program. However, there will be one for future cohorts. The current application method is through the Purdue/NC A&T application. To indicate your interest, apply to a participating department and mention the NEXT program in your Statement of Interest. Currently enrolled PhD students at Purdue or NC A&T should contact the Program Director at their respective institution (Hua or Clark).

The below departments are not exhaustive. If you have questions about another department, contact a project PI.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

• Civil and Construction Engineering (CCE or CE)
• Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE)
• Industrial Engineering (IE)
• Materials Engineering (MSE)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)

NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL & TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY

• Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering (CBBE)
• Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering (CAEE)
• Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)

Click the links to learn more about each program and find info on how to apply!

Program Contact

If you have any questions, please contact a project PI. Contacts may refer you to faculty at the other institution. The nature of this project allows for close collaboration between institutions.

Dr. Inez Hua, PI
hua@purdue.edu

Dr. Clayton Clark, PI
cjclarkii@ncat.edu