New data lab advances environmental right-to-know through real-time monitoring and public health innovation

Pace University today celebrated the ribbon cutting and official inauguration of the Gale Epstein Center for Technology, Policy and the Environment at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, marking a significant expansion of the University’s leadership in environmental technology and policy innovation.

The ceremony formally launched the Center’s enhanced data laboratory, which will monitor environmental conditions throughout the region, and promote policy reforms that will assure the public’s right-to-know the quality of the water they drink. Along with an expansive technology lab on the Hudson, the launch signals the next phase of the Center’s mission as a regional innovation hub dedicated to advancing real-time technologies that will advance innovations in information systems and related policy reforms for the protection of human and environmental health.

Made possible by a transformative gift from New York City philanthropist and business leader Gale Epstein, the Center builds upon the success of Seidenberg’s Blue CoLab and expands its work in real-time water monitoring and environmental information systems. Its guiding principle is that informed decision-making about public health requires access to timely, accurate information about environmental conditions.

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“The Gale Epstein Center represents innovation with purpose,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “We are deeply grateful to Gale for her vision and generosity in making this Center possible. By integrating technology, data science, and policy leadership, the Center strengthens our ability to protect communities and prepare students to solve urgent environmental and public health challenges.”

A central focus of the Center’s work is the development of real-time sensing and alert systems, including drinking water monitoring technologies designed to provide early detection of contamination events. In addition, through applied research, artificial intelligence machine learning applications and experiential learning opportunities, students collaborate with faculty to design and analyze environmental monitoring across the Hudson River region.

Executive Director John Cronin said early warning systems are critical to protecting public health.

“Whether encountering drinking water contamination, climate-related emergencies or emerging pollutants, the public should be alerted to environmental threats immediately,” Cronin said. “The Gale Epstein Center provides the tools and training capacity to develop real-time technologies that will make such warning systems a reality.”

Epstein said the Center reflects a shared commitment to empowering communities through access to environmental information.

“Access to accurate, timely environmental information is essential for the protection of public health,” Epstein said. “I am proud our Center combines technology, education and policy to serve and protect the public good.”

Li-Chiou Chen, PhD, interim dean of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, said the Center expands opportunities for students to apply emerging technologies to real-world environmental challenges.

“This initiative reflects Seidenberg’s commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration,” Chen said. “Students gain hands-on experience in data analytics, real-time systems and technology policy while contributing to solutions that protect the environment and communities.”

Silas Gonzalez, a sophomore majoring in computer science and law, said the Center has shaped both his academic and professional goals.

“From the moment I began working here, I felt this was where I belonged,” Gonzalez said. “The faculty challenge and support us, and through initiatives like the United Nations Millennium Fellowship, I’ve seen how technology and environmental science can work together to build a better future.”

The Center operates a multidisciplinary program of innovation, training, research and policymaking. Students engage in coursework in real-time instrumentation, technology policy and data analytics, with hands-on learning at Choate Pond, the Ossining Real-Time Tech Hub and regional monitoring sites connected to the Hudson River estuary. Collaborations across the university — including Dyson College’s Environmental Studies and Science Department, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law and the NYC Design Factory — support the Center’s academic and policy initiatives.

In addition to Epstein and Pace leaders, in attendance at Monday’s grand opening were faculty, students, alumni, and supporters of the Center. Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, who represents the Pleasantville campus in the New York State Legislature, was also present for the opening of the lab. A reception followed the ceremony, where guests toured the data laboratory and met with faculty and student researchers.

About Pace University

Founded in 1906 and celebrating 120 years of preparing students for success in 2026, Pace University pairs real-life learning with strong academics to launch meaningful careers. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace serves 13,600 students across a range of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs through the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University proudly hosted the 38th Annual Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC), one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious interschool moot court competitions devoted to environmental law.

This year’s competition welcomed teams from across the country to Pace Haub Law’s campus for three days of advocacy in front of attorney judges. Since its founding in 1989, NELMCC has set the national standard for excellence in environmental moot court competitions, challenging students to engage with complex and timely issues shaping environmental law and policy.

The 2026 NELMCC Championship title was awarded to Columbia Law School. The two finalist teams were University of Minnesota Law School and Lewis & Clark Law School. All three teams delivered outstanding performances in the final round, which was presided over by an esteemed panel of judges:

• The Honorable Eunice C. Lee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• The Honorable Kermit V. Lipez, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• The Honorable Malachy E. Mannion, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
• The Honorable Joseph A. Marutollo, United States Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of New York
• The Honorable A. L. Merriam, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

As with every year, the competition was organized and led by Pace Haub Law students. The 2026 NELMCC Board was chaired by Thomas O’Connell, supported by a dedicated student leadership team overseeing hospitality, judging, scoring, fundraising, competition logistics, and more. The 2026 Problem was authored by Professor Todd Ommen, who also serves as Faculty Advisor, with the Bench Memorandum authored by Kiran Chalal, Environmental Law Program Fellow.

“NELMCC represents the very best of environmental advocacy and student leadership,” shared NELMCC Chair Thomas O’Connell. “It was an honor to work alongside such a dedicated board to welcome talented competitors from across the country and esteemed attorney judges. The level of preparation, professionalism, and passion we saw this year truly reflects the strength and future of environmental law.”

Over the course of the three-day competition, lively discussions and panels were also held amongst coaches and judges, an environmental career session was hosted by the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, a Law Professor Workshop, as well as a CLE were also held. The Competition ended with a Reception and Awards Ceremony. In addition to the winning teams, awards went to: Julie Lane, Drake University Law School (Best Oralist), Andie Madsen, SJ Quinney College of Law (Honorable Mention for Best Oralist), and American University Washington College of Law (2026 David Sive Award for Best Brief Overall).

The Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition is grateful to the organizations and people whose financial support help make the event possible. This year, NELMCC was pleased to have the continued partnership of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) and AlterEcho, who were premier sponsors.

For Pace University alum and proud native New Yorker Lolita Tiwari (’16, ’21), New York City represents more than a home—it was the foundation for a career built on curiosity, community, and innovation. “I always felt that whatever I wanted to learn or experience, I could start in one of the five boroughs around me. Since I went to elementary school in Brooklyn and high school in Queens, it only made sense for Manhattan to be my borough of choice for college.”

When considering which university was right for her, Pace stood out for both its academics and its integration with the city. Lolita earned her BA in Economics and Statistics from the Dyson School of Arts and Sciences in 2016, and later returned to complete her MS in Enterprise Analytics at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems in 2021 (now rebranded as the MS in Data Science). She said that “Pace stood out in the way where you couldn’t tell where the campus ended and where the city began; they are so beautifully integrated. I could step out of a 3-hour economics class and see City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge. It felt as if the city was built around Pace, so I didn’t have to wait until after graduation to start building my career since some of the most exciting companies were a few blocks or train stops away from campus.”

At Pace I was exposed to an environment that opened doors to a world I didn't know existed.

Finding Her Community at Seidenberg

While completing her undergraduate degree at Dyson, Lolita worked as a student assistant at Seidenberg—an experience that ultimately inspired her to pursue her master’s degree there. “I was exposed to an environment that opened doors to a world I didn't know existed. At Seidenberg, students gathered to play video games, build apps, start their own companies, and solve real-world problems. All of that between classes. The spirit of innovation of 20-year-olds lit a spark in me that still lives on today.”

Seidenberg’s culture of collaboration continues to shape how Lolita approaches her career. “It was an environment where there was no ego—just passion, curiosity, and connection. Whoever you were, you were welcome and you were equal. Anyone could create, anyone could build, anyone could solve. The value of connection and relationships showed me that the return from investing into building community is priceless and time spent this way is the best investment we can make. I’ve taken this with me into my career: in every room I walk into, I know and expect everyone to treat others as equals. If there is a room or situation where this isn’t the case, I know with certainty that isn’t the right room for me.”

Both of my Pace degrees shaped me to have a lens of asking the right questions to build, fix, and innovate.

Leading at the Global Scale

Through her studies in economics, statistics, and enterprise analytics, Lolita developed a problem-solving mindset grounded in data and global awareness. “In both of my degrees, I learned that as a society, we can’t solve anything in a silo. In my economics program, I learned that to understand and solve societal problems we have to follow and understand many changes on both the federal and global level. In my enterprise analytics program, I learned the importance of inclusive and thorough data collection to understand and solve problems. Both degrees shaped me to have a lens of asking the right questions to build, fix, and innovate.”

After completing her undergraduate degree, Lolita spent a decade working in advertising technology for media and entertainment companies including Fox Corporation and Hulu/Disney, before joining Google. She spent three years working on Partnerships for Google Ad Manager’s platform, helping News and Weather publishers monetize their site traffic. Today, she is on the Global Product Partnerships team at Google, leading partnerships for Google Maps, Google Earth, and Waze across North America.

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Even though Lolita’s work supports global platforms used by millions, the mindset she developed at Pace remains central to her success: “In my career today, I still use the lens and skill of asking the right questions and collecting the right data to make informed decisions.”

Giving Back and Looking Ahead

Lolita remains deeply connected to Seidenberg since graduating, continuing to emphasize the importance of community and mentorship. “I am still very invested in the growth and longevity of the Seidenberg community and enjoy participating and giving back where I can. I have also been the Seidenberg Alumni Committee co-chair since 2023 and a Seidenberg Advisory Board Member since 2022.”

Her advice to current students and recent graduates is simple but powerful: “Take the time to learn about yourself and understand what brings you joy. There are things in life that are decided for us, but for the things we do have a say in, like our careers, it is important to remember that we get to make decisions and shape our own path.”