The University of Pittsburgh has announced the winners of the 2025 Pitt Sustainability Awards, which honor students, faculty, staff and groups who are making meaningful contributions to campus sustainability.
Staff awardees
Swati Banerjee, lab manager in Pitt Medicine’s Department of Neurobiology, cut energy use and built a strong sustainability culture in the Thathiah Lab.
Ernest Robinson, senior manager of custodial services, has led campuswide waste reduction and diversion efforts.
Faculty awardees
Amanda Artsen, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, has demonstrated leadership in health care sustainability efforts, co-founding green teams and advancing environmental education.
Warren Ruder, associate professor of bioengineering, has conducted research on plant-based biomass and sustainability-focused engineering.
Erika Ninos Student Leadership Award
Neeha Kolli, an environmental science major in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, has championed sustainability since her first year at Pitt. She’s been active with Plant 2 Plate, Greek Life initiatives and Clinicians for Climate Action. As managing student director of the Student Office of Sustainability, Kolli developed a greenhouse gas inventory tool for UPMC hospitals.
Student awardees
Kelly Barko (MED ’22), a PhD student in the School of Medicine, launched a pilot composting program for animal-related waste, with plans to expand to all 10 animal research facilities.
Neha Devineni (A&S ’23), a Pitt Med student, helped expand food recoveries as business manager of Food Recovery Heroes and president of Students for Sustainability.
Phoebe Esser Katz, a senior in the Swanson School of Engineering, led research and logistics for the PA Rural Solar project.
Group awardees
Food Recovery Heroes is recovering more food than ever, reducing waste and supporting hunger relief partners.
Heinz Memorial Chapel achieved a “Mighty Oak” Green Office status through creative, small-scale changes.
Caps for a Cause — led by Tara Stakich, senior clinical program manager for the Division of Geriatric Medicine — collected more than 1,100 pounds of plastic caps for reuse as park benches.
Find more on the Pitt Sustainability website.