--- title: "About Us | CURES" url: "/academics/centers-institutes/cures/about-us" type: page date: 2026-05-28 updated: 2026-05-28 --- # About Us | CURES Center for Urban Resilience & Environmental Sustainability About Us Image on Right Image ![New York City skyline during the day](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/nyc-location.jpg?h=c4e9e9ee&itok=J6FqLnX-) ## Who We Are We are a group of academics, environmental professionals and community partners committed to improving the quality of life in our urban communities, especially those that have been historically underserved. We have expertise in science, policy, ethics, natural history, urban planning and educational practices. ## Mission The Manhattan University Center for Urban Resilience (CURES) is dedicated to serving urban communities with a suite of research, education, restorative justice and urban planning programs designed to improve quality of life for residents, especially for those in underserved neighborhoods. We use urban ecology to empower communities to build resilient, vibrant, and just cities through meaningful interactions with their diverse ecosystems. ## Goals - Educate the students and public about environmental challenges and possible solutions. - Sustainability education. - Reduce environmental toxins. - Improve public health. - Promote smart planning that provides sustainable land use. - Promote communities and life-styles that are sustainable and affordable in the long-term. - Reduce Carbon footprint to affect climate change. - Improve recycling throughout campus. ## Strategies Manhattan University CURES works with faculty, staff, students and community members to develop research and other interventions that lead to more resilient and just communities. Our goal is to pair the study of urban ecology with local issues that can benefit from the talents and resources at University. We support a variety of projects ranging from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teacher professional development; urban bio social research; graduate education; restorative justice; and regional climate change initiatives. Our goals are threefold: 1. To enhance the public understanding of urban resilience as a tool for healthy neighborhoods 2. To forward a vigorous program of research and education 3. To engage the public as critical stakeholders in urban policy and management These efforts are focused on, but not limited to, historically underserved urban communities in order to hasten their recovery and advancement. ## Core Values & Methods - To promote transformative education both on and off campus. - To provide a convening function that reaches out to Long Island’s civic and environmental leaders, business executives, and government officials. - To help students gain an understanding of how social change is accomplished, while developing their leadership skills to better serve both their future professions and the larger community, through classroom presentations and experiential learning. - To develop, and foster understanding and informed discussion of positive, innovative solutions to problems facing Long Island. - To bring a regional focus to efforts to implement concepts of sustainability. - To tenaciously pursue solutions which may require sustained, long-term efforts. ## Bylaws **View Bylaws document:** Document [cures-bylaws.pdf](/sites/default/files/media/2026-05/cures-bylaws.pdf) (292.47 KB) Image ![professor Hangun-Balkir](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/Yelda%20Hangun-Balkir.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=PYyr_iGS) Yelda Hangun Balkir Chemistry & Biochemistry Department [/directory/yelda.hangun-balkir](/directory/yelda.hangun-balkir) Image ![Constantine Theodosiou](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/constantine-theodosiou.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=uoyIEW7a) Constantine Theodosiou School of Science Image ![Mahbuboor Choudhury](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/mahbuboor-rahman.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=X1kcD4uB) Mahbuboor Choudhury Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Image ![Jeffrey Myers](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/jeffrey-myers.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=ahljTYST) Jeffrey Myers English Department Image ![Jessica Marie Wilson](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/jessica-wilson.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=XhdGXISJ) Jessica Marie Wilson Civil & Environmental Engineering Department [/directory/jessica.wilson](/directory/jessica.wilson) Image ![Adam Arenson ](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/adam-arenson.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=IWTYlDhV) Adam Arenson History and Urban Studies Department Image ![Lance Evans ](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/lance-evans.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=9EP9Cv3P) Lance Evans Biology Department Image ![Jeff Cherubini](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/jeffrey-cherubini.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=co0QMIUT) Jeff Cherubini Kinesiology Department [/directory/jeffrey.cherubini](/directory/jeffrey.cherubini) Image ![Pamela Chasek](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/pamela-chasek.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=T-fj0WtA) Pamela Chasek Government Department [/directory/pamela.chasek](/directory/pamela.chasek) Image ![Dart Westphal ](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/DART-WESTPHAL.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=T4Ovmxfq) Dart Westphal Urban Studies Department [/directory/dart.westphal](/directory/dart.westphal) Image ![Jimena Gonzalez Ramirez ](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/jimena-gonzalez.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=ClIbfbDx) Jimena Gonzalez Ramirez Economics and Finance Department [/directory/jimena.gonzalez-ramirez](/directory/jimena.gonzalez-ramirez) Image ![Michael Judge](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/michael-judge.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=DycLKpFz) Michael Judge Biology Department Image ![Robin Lovell](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/robin-lovell.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=cKh-uMiG) Robin Lovell Sociology Department Image ![Julian Silverman](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/julian-silverman.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=dTP-SxmW) Julian Silverman Chemistry and Biochemistry Department [/directory/julian.silverman](/directory/julian.silverman) Steering Committee Intro above Cards Cards (border around each item) No Learn more about and connect with staff at Manhattan University's Center for Urban Resilience & Environmental Sustainability.