Linking Public Health and Sustainability Efforts
Youth-led research and outreach pushing for healthier and sustainable practices
Our Mission
LinkMind is a student-led, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating nationwide with a mission of fostering a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable society. We conduct original community-based research, publish our findings, and engage directly with legislators to advocate for policies that address environmental health risks, championing equity for the communities who need it most.
Current Projects!
10-Module Environmental Advocacy Course
Building a course centered around:
- Exploring air quality, water contamination, carcinogens, and climate health risks; and why these burdens fall hardest on low-income communities.
- Learning about the key policies and agencies that shape environmental health
- Practicing advocacy by contacting legislators, submitting public comments, and building grassroots campaigns
In the end, students will practice by writing a real public comment and completing a mini advocacy project.
Environmental Disparities in Undeserved Communities:
The Emerging Environmental Carcinogens Campaign
- Pushing state legislators to co-sponsor bills that crack down on PFAS “forever chemicals.”
- Publishing public comments and fighting EPA rollbacks on PFAS drinking water limits and microplastics testing.
- Works with students across multiple states to take local policy action.
Carcinogen Exposure Map
Sources of carcinogens, especially PFAs, need to be made known to the public. We are currently developing a carcinogen map to help with that problem! This map will:
- Model will use EPA emissions data and wind patterns to show how carcinogens from Illinois’s biggest industrial polluters spread through the air.
- Overlay pollution data with race, income, and health data to show which communities bear the highest cancer risk.
- Build a working research tool with tract-level risk scores, plume overlays, and exportable data.
Our Impact
Featured in and Partnered with
Support from Legislators
State Senator
Laura Fine
Their Support
Senator Laura Fine serves as the representative for the 9th district in the Illinois Senate. After meeting with LinkMind's president Renee at POWER Act Lobby Day on May 30th, 2026, she expressed her support for the organization and its initiatives, especially the environmental risk exposure research project. She called LinkMind "amazing" and emphasized the importance of regulating pollution caused by data centers. Fine's interest in LinkMind laid down an important foundation for our organization's continued growth.
State Representative
Robyn Gabel
Their Support
Robyn Gabel serves as Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 18th district. LinkMind first connected with Representative Gabel at POWER Act Lobby Day on May 30th, 2026. Through ongoing email exchanges and meetings where she learned more about our cause, Representative Gabel came to endorse LinkMind and its mission. She said that "the work we do is very important and promising and we need to keep educating and spreading awareness." Her support is invaluable to LinkMind's growth, and it strengthens our organization as we continue to make progress.
Discover Your Impact with LinkMind
Marketing
Help with social media, website design, and branding to bring LinkMind's mission to a wider audience.
Leadership
Lead research initiatives, reach out to local organizations, organize events, and help manage activities.
Research
Gain research experience in topics like public health and environmental sustainability.
Latest Updates & Research
Stay updated with our latest research findings, community events, and policy insights
The Growth of Data Centers: Are Effects Distributed Equally?
By Emma Lu Data centers are the backbone of the internet. These facilities have helped…
Illinois Legislation Worth Supporting: Protecting Public Health Through Environmental Action
By Emma LuAs environmental concerns continue growing across Illinois, several lawmakers have introduced legislation aiming…
Bridging Research and Policy: LinkMind at the POWER Act Lobby Day
By Renee Ma On May 30th, I had the privilege of representing LinkMind at the…
LinkMind Spring Events: Earth Day and Data Collection
By Kevin Liu and Renee Ma This spring, our team ventured out into the Cincinnati…
Navigating Home Energy Rebates: The LinkMind Guide
By Cathy Ding, Civa Haverson, and Rana HaversonFederal clean energy tax credits are hard to…
Behind Every Door: The Real Story
By LinkMind FoundationFive members of LinkMind stood on suburban streets across six states, clipboards in…