Research and Innovation Strategy

End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Kate Annett-Hitchcock | Design and product development research combining the creation of textile products with health and wellness applications, for disabled individuals, and/or alongside niche population segments while applying the historical and cultural understanding of design | Direct Goals: 3, 10 | Related Goals: 12

Emiel DenHartog | Studying the interaction of clothing made of high-performance fibers and PPE with the human body as it relates to comfort, protection, and functionality in the workplace | Direct Goals: 3, 8 | Related Goals: 9

Xiaomeng Fang | Combining textiles and electronics to develop fiber robots and smart textiles that react to a stimulus, particularly used in wearable medical technology | Direct Goals: 3, 9 | Related Goals: 10

Blanton Godfrey | Direct partnership with UNICEF to aid in dynamic data visualization of global maternal health and maternal mortality statistics from low to middle income countries | Direct Goals: 3, 10, 17 | Related Goals: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16

Kavita Mathur | Fiber formation and fabrication technology that focuses on structure, properties, and function of textile products in healthcare, medical, and treatment applications | Direct Goals: 3, 9, 12

Pamela McCauley | Innovation and improvement in occupational environments related to reducing risk in the healthcare industry on an international scale, particularly pertaining to women’s issues | Direct Goals: 3, 5 | Related Goals: 8, 10

Kate Nartker | Art and design practices expanded into health and wellness applications involving assistive devices, art therapy with textiles, and including more diverse populations in the creation of textiles | Direct Goals: 3, 10

Renzo Shamey | Using color science and technology to improve quality control through color measurement and to study toxicology issues of colorants/chemicals in relation to human health | Direct Goals: 3, 6, 9 | Related Goals: 12

Minyoung Suh | Research relating to technical design and smart clothing, particularly studying kinetics of the human body and how it relates to sportswear and other textile innovations | Direct Goals: 3, 9, 10 | Related Goals: 12

Yingjiao Xu | Examining consumer behavior and psychological wellbeing to understand patterns and behaviors related to sustainable consumption and eco-friendly garments | Direct Goals: 3, 12 | Related Goals: 9

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 4 focuses on providing quality education as a way to advance sustainability initiatives around the world. This can include affordable and equal access to higher education, reducing gender disparities, education on sustainability, inclusive learning environments, and producing qualified teachers. The Wilson College of Textiles prides itself on the great achievement and support from an incredible faculty. All Wilson College of Textiles faculty are considered to be working towards Goal 4: Quality Education.

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Delisia Matthews | Focusing on consumer behavior, consumer trends, and alternative consumption practices, particularly related to collaborative consumption efforts (such as renting and clothing swaps) and Sneakerhead culture | Direct Goals: 5, 12

Pamela McCauley | Innovation and improvement in occupational environments related to reducing risk in the healthcare industry on an international scale, particularly pertaining to women’s issues | Direct Goals: 3, 5 | Related Goals: 8, 10

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Januka Budhathoki-Uprety | Using polymer chemistry and nanotechnology to advance textile materials and create bio-based finishes for textiles, which can decrease energy use, harmful byproducts, and pollution in industry | Direct Goals: 6, 7, 12

Ahmed El-Shafei | Sustainable textile dyeing and finishing through development a process that produces no wastewater and can vastly improve energy and water consumption in the textile industry | Direct Goals: 6, 12 | Related Goals: 14, 15

Karen Leonas | Research involving textile physics, water use and wastewater, circular economies, dyeing and finishing methods, alternative fiber use, pollution, and other textile industry practices that promote action, education, and impact evaluation of sustainability efforts and new industry technology | Direct Goals: 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 | Related Goals: 13, 15

Renzo Shamey | Using color science and technology to improve quality control through color measurement and to study toxicology issues of colorants/chemicals in relation to human health | Direct Goals: 3, 6, 9 | Related Goals: 12

Nelson Vinueza Benitez | Innovation and education on chemical waste related to dyes used in the textile industry that can cause bioaccumulation in water and soil utilizing techniques related to forensic chemistry | Direct Goals: 6, 11, 15 | Related Goals: 3, 12

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Januka Budhathoki-Uprety | Using polymer chemistry and nanotechnology to advance textile materials and create bio-based finishes for textiles, which can decrease energy use, harmful byproducts, and pollution in industry | Direct Goals: 6, 7, 12

Sonja Salmon | Innovation by combining the use of enzymes and textile processes to increase efficiency and resource utilization, and to create a carbon capture technology using enzymes that would allow for cleaner energy in industry | Direct Goals: 7, 12, 13

Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Emiel DenHartog | Studying the interaction of clothing made of high-performance fibers and PPE with the human body as it relates to comfort, protection, and functionality in the workplace | Direct Goals: 3, 8 | Related Goals: 9

Helmut Hergeth | Business management applied to the global textile complex addressing issues such as economic productivity, resource efficiency, working conditions, and equal and fair employment practices | Direct Goals: 8, 10 | Related Goals: 5, 9, 12

Warren Jasper | Research involving textile physics in the dyeing process to produce accurate color measurements that provide more efficient use of resources, increased quality control, and improve business profitability | Direct Goals: 8, 9 | Related Goals: 12

Byoungho Ellie Jin | Analyzing and understanding global markets, innovative business models, economic development and growth of emerging markets, and industry development related to the fashion and textile supply chain | Direct Goals: 8, 9

Anne Porterfield | Use and implementation of 3D apparel visualization software and virtual prototyping to reduce waste and inefficiencies of physical garment prototyping and increase business profitability | Direct Goals: 8, 12 | Related Goals: 9

Kristin Thoney-Barletta | Understanding sustainability issues related to consumer behavior, recycling initiatives, sending used clothing to developing countries, and cost effective management of resources | Direct Goals: 8, 11, 12

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Xiaomeng Fang | Combining textiles and electronics to develop fiber robots and smart textiles that react to a stimulus, particularly used in wearable medical technology | Direct Goals: 3, 9 | Related Goals: 10

Tushar Ghosh | Incorporating sensors and actuators into textiles and studying biological movement to create bio-mimicry in textiles that can provide additional protection, comfort, and function to textiles by mimicking natural processes of the environment and nature | Direct Goals: 9, 12 | Related Goals: 15

Warren Jasper | Research involving textile physics in the dyeing process to produce accurate color measurements that provide more efficient use of resources, increased quality control, and improve business profitability | Direct Goals: 8, 9 | Related Goals: 12

Byoungho Ellie Jin | Analyzing and understanding global markets, innovative business models, economic development and growth of emerging markets, and industry development related to the fashion and textile supply chain | Direct Goals: 8, 9

Traci Lamar | Using computer aided textile design, digital textile design, and digital printing, weaving, and knitting technologies to promote sustainable production systems, reduction of industry waste, and flexible production processes | Direct Goals: 9, 12

Karen Leonas | Research involving textile physics, water use and wastewater, circular economies, dyeing and finishing methods, alternative fiber use, pollution, and other textile industry practices that promote action, education, and impact evaluation of sustainability efforts and new industry technology | Direct Goals: 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 | Related Goals: 13, 15

Kavita Mathur | Fiber formation and fabrication technology that focuses on structure, properties, and function of textile products in healthcare, medical, and treatment applications | Direct Goals: 3, 9, 12

Abdel-Fattah Seyam | Applying concepts of circular economy and sustainable design to create composite materials for building and infrastructure applications that can reduce waste and increase functionality | Direct Goals: 9, 11, 12

Renzo Shamey | Using color science and technology to improve quality control through color measurement and to study toxicology issues of colorants/chemicals in relation to human health | Direct Goals: 3, 6, 9 | Related Goals: 12

Eunkyoung Shim | Working to understand and solve industry problems related to fabric formation and engineering, water and energy use, and applications of geotextiles, bioplastics, and filtration technology | Direct Goals: 9, 11 | Related Goals: 6

Minyoung Suh | Research relating to technical design and smart clothing, particularly studying kinetics of the human body and how it relates to sportswear and other textile innovations | Direct Goals: 3, 9, 10 | Related Goals: 12

Rong Yin | Industry innovation through research involving the use of hemp fibers, conductive yarns, soft robotics, and removal of sizing materials for more abrasion-resistant yarns | Direct Goals: 9, 12

Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Kate Annett-Hitchcock | Design and product development research combining the creation of textile products with health and wellness applications, for disabled individuals, and/or alongside niche population segments while applying the historical and cultural understanding of design | Direct Goals: 3, 10 | Related Goals: 12

Blanton Godfrey | Direct partnership with UNICEF to aid in dynamic data visualization of global maternal health and maternal mortality statistics from low to middle income countries | Direct Goals: 3, 10, 17 | Related Goals: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16

Helmut Hergeth | Business management applied to the global textile complex addressing issues such as economic productivity, resource efficiency, working conditions, and equal and fair employment practices | Direct Goals: 8, 10 | Related Goals: 5, 9, 12

Chanmi Gloria Hwang | Utilizing 3D apparel simulation and virtual fitting, user centered analysis, product life cycle management and consumer focused design to promote inclusive and sustainable industry practices | Direct Goals: 10, 12 | Related Goals: 3

Kate Nartker | Art and design practices expanded into health and wellness applications involving assistive devices, art therapy with textiles, and including more diverse populations in the creation of textiles | Direct Goals: 3, 10

Minyoung Suh | Research relating to technical design and smart clothing, particularly studying kinetics of the human body and how it relates to sportswear and other textile innovations | Direct Goals: 3, 9, 10 | Related Goals: 12

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Karen Leonas | Research involving textile physics, water use and wastewater, circular economies, dyeing and finishing methods, alternative fiber use, pollution, and other textile industry practices that promote action, education, and impact evaluation of sustainability efforts and new industry technology | Direct Goals: 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 | Related Goals: 13, 15

Abdel-Fattah Seyam | Applying concepts of circular economy and sustainable design to create composite materials for building and infrastructure applications that can reduce waste and increase functionality | Direct Goals: 9, 11, 12

Eunkyoung Shim | Working to understand and solve industry problems related to fabric formation and engineering, water and energy use, and applications of geotextiles, bioplastics, and filtration technology | Direct Goals: 9, 11 | Related Goals: 6

Kristin Thoney-Barletta | Understanding sustainability issues related to consumer behavior, recycling initiatives, sending used clothing to developing countries, and cost effective management of resources | Direct Goals: 8, 11, 12

Nelson Vinueza Benitez | Innovation and education on chemical waste related to dyes used in the textile industry that can cause bioaccumulation in water and soil utilizing techniques related to forensic chemistry | Direct Goals: 6, 11, 15 | Related Goals: 3, 12

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Januka Budhathoki-Uprety | Using polymer chemistry and nanotechnology to advance textile materials and create bio-based finishes for textiles, which can decrease energy use, harmful byproducts, and pollution in industry | Direct Goals: 6, 7, 12

Ahmed El-Shafei | Sustainable textile dyeing and finishing through development a process that produces no wastewater and can vastly improve energy and water consumption in the textile industry | Direct Goals: 6, 12 | Related Goals: 14, 15

Tushar Ghosh | Incorporating sensors and actuators into textiles and studying biological movement to create bio-mimicry in textiles that can provide additional protection, comfort, and function to textiles by mimicking natural processes of the environment and nature | Direct Goals: 9, 12 | Related Goals: 15

Chanmi Gloria Hwang | Utilizing 3D apparel simulation and virtual fitting, user centered analysis, product life cycle management and consumer focused design to promote inclusive and sustainable industry practices | Direct Goals: 10, 12 | Related Goals: 3

Traci Lamar | Using computer aided textile design, digital textile design, and digital printing, weaving, and knitting technologies to promote sustainable production systems, reduction of industry waste, and flexible production processes | Direct Goals: 9, 12

Karen Leonas | Research involving textile physics, water use and wastewater, circular economies, dyeing and finishing methods, alternative fiber use, pollution, and other textile industry practices that promote action, education, and impact evaluation of sustainability efforts and new industry technology | Direct Goals: 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 | Related Goals: 13, 15

Kavita Mathur | Fiber formation and fabrication technology that focuses on structure, properties, and function of textile products in healthcare, medical, and treatment applications | Direct Goals: 3, 9, 12

Delisia Matthews | Focusing on consumer behavior, consumer trends, and alternative consumption practices, particularly related to collaborative consumption efforts (such as renting and clothing swaps) and Sneakerhead culture | Direct Goals: 5, 12

Anne Porterfield | Use and implementation of 3D apparel visualization software and virtual prototyping to reduce waste and inefficiencies of physical garment prototyping and increase business profitability | Direct Goals: 8, 12 | Related Goals: 9

Sonja Salmon | Innovation by combining the use of enzymes and textile processes to increase efficiency and resource utilization, and to create a carbon capture technology using enzymes that would allow for cleaner energy in industry | Direct Goals: 7, 12, 13

Abdel-Fattah Seyam | Applying concepts of circular economy and sustainable design to create composite materials for building and infrastructure applications that can reduce waste and increase functionality | Direct Goals: 9, 11, 12

Kristin Thoney-Barletta | Understanding sustainability issues related to consumer behavior, recycling initiatives, sending used clothing to developing countries, and cost effective management of resources | Direct Goals: 8, 11, 12

Andre West | Innovating to promote the greater good and lessen environmental impacts, primarily with hemp fibers, whole garment knitting, vegan production, and zero waste initiatives | Direct Goals: 12, 13

Janie Woodbridge | Combining creative research with structural and technical elements to produce innovation in weaving, fabric breathability, seamless garments, and smart textiles | Direct Goals: 12

Yingjiao Xu | Examining consumer behavior and psychological wellbeing to understand patterns and behaviors related to sustainable consumption and eco-friendly garments | Direct Goals: 3, 12 | Related Goals: 9

Rong Yin | Industry innovation through research involving the use of hemp fibers, conductive yarns, soft robotics, and removal of sizing materials for more abrasion-resistant yarns | Direct Goals: 9, 12

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Sonja Salmon | Innovation by combining the use of enzymes and textile processes to increase efficiency and resource utilization, and to create a carbon capture technology using enzymes that would allow for cleaner energy in industry | Direct Goals: 7, 12, 13

Andre West | Innovating to promote the greater good and lessen environmental impacts, primarily with hemp fibers, whole garment knitting, vegan production, and zero waste initiatives | Direct Goals: 12, 13

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Karen Leonas | Research involving textile physics, water use and wastewater, circular economies, dyeing and finishing methods, alternative fiber use, pollution, and other textile industry practices that promote action, education, and impact evaluation of sustainability efforts and new industry technology | Direct Goals: 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 | Related Goals: 13, 15

Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Nelson Vinueza Benitez | Innovation and education on chemical waste related to dyes used in the textile industry that can cause bioaccumulation in water and soil utilizing techniques related to forensic chemistry | Direct Goals: 6, 11, 15 | Related Goals: 3, 12

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Blanton Godfrey | Direct partnership with UNICEF to aid in dynamic data visualization of global maternal health and maternal mortality statistics from low to middle income countries | Direct Goals: 3, 10, 17 | Related Goals: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16

Karen Leonas | Research involving textile physics, water use and wastewater, circular economies, dyeing and finishing methods, alternative fiber use, pollution, and other textile industry practices that promote action, education, and impact evaluation of sustainability efforts and new industry technology | Direct Goals: 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 | Related Goals: 13, 15