Our interdisciplinary, international team develops holistic solutions that focus on all areas of the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus, enhancing climate resilience and protecting global public health.
Defining the FEW Nexus
What do we mean by food-energy-water systems?
- No food can be grown without water and energy
- Wastewater treatment requires energy and electricity generation requires vast amounts of water
- Energy should be sourced sustainably in ways that don't increase climate change
The FEW nexus approaches sustainable food production by integrating these three essential resources. We can engineer more efficient ways to irrigate crops, such as drip irrigation and rainwater capture. We can integrate renewable energy systems, such as solar arrays, biogas, and small-scale hydropower, so that food is produced with less climate impact. And we can produce a variety of nutritious food that supports public health while nurturing local ecosystems through biodiversity and permaculture forest cover.
Read more about how the FEW nexus supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Facts on the FEW nexus
Applications Open: UMD Global STEWARDS Graduate Fellowship
We are accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of the UMD Global STEWARDS (STEM Training at the Nexus of Energy, WAter Reuse, and FooD Systems) graduate training fellowship!
8-10 UMD Global STEWARDS Fellows will be accepted to the 2026 cohort and receive a $2,500 summer stipend.
Applications are due by November 14, 2025, and the cohort will begin in January 2026. Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted into an MS/PhD program at the University of Maryland College Park.
Details and Application
UMD Global STEWARDS Graduate Research
Our UMD Global STEWARDS graduate students are innovative researchers in Food-Energy-Water science!
This pair of short videos captures the essence of their research:
The what, how, and why of FEW nexus science. Check it out!
Nick An, Fahmi Dwilaksono, Ujjwol Subedi, Tiberias Okanga
Asangwing Formukong, Gerry Andhikaputra, Rafian Aziz, John Samura, Qingyue Zheng
UMD Global STEWARDS Graduate Research
Register for Winter Session: ENVH 413/613
UMD Global STEWARDS: Professional Development Series for Emerging Scholars
WINTER 2026 | 1 Credit
Tues/Thurs 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Designed for students seeking to build essential professional development skills for success across diverse career paths. The course offers interactive workshops, seminars, and experiential activities on science communication, technical writing, ethics, grant and budget management, leadership, conflict resolution, and career planning. Students will gain transferable skills and professional competencies to excel as emerging scholars in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors.
Open to graduate students and upper-level undergraduates.
Learn more about UMD Global STEWARDS: globalstewards.umd.edu
Instructor: Dr. Suhana Chattopadhyay
Good Neighbors: College Park Scholars Tend the Food Forest
October 25th was Good Neighbor Day!
Sixteen volunteers from the College Park Scholars showed up on a pure clear autumn day to dig in new plants before the winter season. We enhanced the pollinator garden with a variety of new flowers, transplanted sorrel, and dug in a new Bartlett Pear tree.
Thanks to this group of UMD students for their outstanding community service!
Food Forests
New Research: Water Quality in Nepal
Nepal is facing critical water quality challenges due to urbanization, water management and governance issues, as well as natural disasters. This instability has resulted in the presence of harmful contaminants (e.g., pathogens, nitrates, arsenic) across multiple water sources, subsequently leading to waterborne disease risks (e.g., cholera and typhoid).
Our researchers systematically reviewed 140 research papers on water contaminants in Nepal. The studies encompassed a variety of methodological designs, with the majority focusing on water sources in the Bagmati province. Bacteria and arsenic emerged as the most prevalent contaminants. Diseases such as arsenicosis and typhoid remain widespread and may be linked to contaminated water sources. Their findings underscore the urgent need for effective surveillance systems and a robust regulatory framework to promptly respond to water contamination events in Nepal.
Environmental Research and Public Health
Check out a selection of photos from our Second Annual Symposium, which was held April 23-24, 2025 in the Stamp Union at UMD.
Full session videos are available on our Symposium Page.
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