2025 News 2025: UMass Dartmouth hosts Renewable Energy and Sustainability Roundtable for state officials

Senator Rodrigues and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Emily Reichert visit the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST)

On Friday, February 21, UMass Dartmouth hosted a roundtable discussion on critical topics in renewable energy and sustainability with Massachusetts State Senator Michael Rodrigues and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Emily Reichert.

The visit, organized by the UMassD Office of Research and Innovation and hosted by UMassD's School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), brought together faculty in marine science, chemistry, and engineering engaged in a range of research initiatives, including offshore wind, renewable energy harvesting and simulation, super-hydrophobic surface engineering, and advanced materials for energy applications. Other key topics included vanadium extraction and battery research, ocean modeling, sustainable fisheries, and workforce development.

"It was great to participate in the recent Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and UMass Dartmouth roundtable regarding our region’s blue economy sector," said Senator Michael Rodrigues. "The collaboration between the University, MassCEC, and the legislature to expand research and workforce development in the blue economy will be a continued boon to the Commonwealth."

"MassCEC is proud to collaborate with UMass Dartmouth, Senator Rodrigues, and the Massachusetts Legislature as we work to advance clean energy innovation and workforce development in the state’s blue economy,” said Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC. “The groundbreaking research and talent pipeline fostered at SMAST are critical to unlocking the full potential of climate technology and ocean renewable energy. Together, we are building a clean energy future that will drive economic growth and environmental progress across the state."

UMass Dartmouth and MassCEC, the state’s clean energy and climate tech economic development agency, have a longstanding partnership, with MassCEC funding several past and ongoing research and workforce development initiatives at the university.

“This visit reinforced UMass Dartmouth’s role as a leader in energy and marine research and strengthened ongoing collaborations aimed at advancing the Commonwealth's clean energy future.”

“I want to thank Senator Rodrigues and Dr. Reichert for visiting UMass Dartmouth to learn more about the extraordinary blue economy-related research our faculty and students are doing,” said Chancellor Mark A. Fuller. “They are having a real, positive impact on our SouthCoast industries and the blue economy,  as well as preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”

“This visit reinforced UMass Dartmouth’s role as a leader in energy and marine research and strengthened ongoing collaborations aimed at advancing the Commonwealth's clean energy future,” said UMass Dartmouth Provost Ramprasad Balasubramanian.

"Our university is at the forefront of cutting-edge research," said UMass Dartmouth Chief Research Office Yanlai Chen, "creating solutions that are not only scientifically and technologically impactful but also socially and economically transformative. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our vision with leaders who inspire and support our mission."