Rep. Lou Correa Announces More Than $2 Million in Funding for Drought and Environmental Research at Chapman University The federal funding is part of the Congressman's $30 million secured for community projects in California's 46th District.

Congressman Lou Correa will visit Chapman University, Friday, April 14 to announce $2.2 million in federal funding for the university’s Earth Systems Data Solutions Lab, which uses data and artificial intelligence to predict drought and climate change challenges. 

The funding is part of nearly $30 million that Rep. Correa prioritized for community projects through the state’s 46th Congressional district as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill approved last year by President Joe Biden. 

In Chapman’s Earth Systems Science Data Solutions Lab, the team’s research combines its members’ knowledge of Earth systems with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, data mining and machine learning to assess and predict drought, and climate change-related hazards. Their research assists in the study of desertification, wildfires, and aerosols, affecting renewable energy, marine environments, and the ability to achieve sustainable development goals. Rep. Correa delivered a $1 million grant to fuel the research in 2022. 

The April 14 presentation begins at 2 p.m. in the university’s Memorial Hall, and a brief tour in the university’s Keck Center for Science and Engineering will follow with a brief discussion with faculty working on some of the funded research. 

Press interested in attending should contact Cerise Valenzuela Metzger, cmetzger@chapman.edu. Parking permit requests must be made in advance. 

About Chapman University

Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university located in Southern California. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution and offers personalized education to more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Based in the city of Orange, Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. In 2019, the university opened its 11th college, Fowler School of Engineering, in its newest facility, Keck Center for Science and Engineering. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.

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Media Contact:

Cerise Valenzuela Metzger, Director of Public Relations | cmetzger@chapman.edu | 714-289-3143

Carly Murphy, Public Relations Coordinator | carmurphy@chapman.edu | Desk: 714-289-3196 | Mobile: 714-497-9683