Climate Change and Emerging Contaminants: Risks and Responses in Asia and Beyond

Tropical river landscape with huts, boats, and distant city skyline. The river is filled with floating debris. In the distance, a city skyline is visible with buildings emitting smoke under a blue sky dotted with clouds.

Illustrated by Kayla Naas

The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, will convene a conference addressing the health impacts of climate change and emerging environmental contaminants on April 9-10, 2026. Convening at the University at Buffalo in Western New York, the conference will present multidisciplinary perspectives on local and transregional climate and environmental challenges, and foster fruitful conversations that advance sustainable solutions in Asia and other vulnerable geographic regions. 

A signature event in the Asia Research Institute's Annual Conference series and the Office of Global Health Initiatives' Global Health Day Symposium series. 

VIEW THE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Confirmed Speakers

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Martha Bohm, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, University at Buffalo 
Compact resilience: Urban density and net-zero water potential in Philippine homes

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Yann Boucher, Associate Professor, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore
Lessons from the equator: A window on the future of bacterial infections on a warming Earth

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Aimin Chen, Professor of Epidemiology and Vice Chair of Education, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania
Impact of environmental toxicants on neurodevelopment and dementia

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Francis de los Reyes, Glenn E. and Phyllis J. Futrell Distinguished Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University
Sanitation under pressure: Climate extremes, emerging contaminants, and the future of wastewater in Southeast Asia

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Haidong Kan, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Fudan University
Climate change and human health in China: Evidence and challenges

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Ann Kurth, President, New York Academy of Medicine
Planetary health

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Shelley Liu, Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai
The PFAS exposome and human health: Quantifying cumulative impacts for solutions-focused research

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Joshua Miller, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo
Water, sanitation, and hygiene dynamics among Filipino youth amid social and environmental change: Implications for adolescent health and development

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Zhongzheng (Jason) Niu, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo
Exposure to heatwaves in pregnancy is associated with mitochondrial DNA copy number at birth

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Shane Snyder, José Domingo Pérez Foundation Chair and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Tech
Exploring the great unknown: Novel approach methods for environmental health assessment

Check back for additional speakers as they are confirmed.

Conference proceedings

April 9, 4:00-6:30pm
UB Center for Tomorrow
Video address by Maria Lenor (Leni) Gerona Robredo (14th Vice President of the Philippines); poster presentation; cultural performances by UB and Western New York-based community groups; reception

April 10, 8:30am-6:00pm
Screening Room, UB Center for the Arts
continental breakfast; presentations from keynote speakers and other invited speakers; lunch; afternoon poster session; networking reception

The conference will be in-person only. The conference is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend regardless of abstract submission or acceptance.

Cosponsors

Asia Research Institute

RENEW (Research and Education in Energy, Environment, and Water) Institute

Office of Global Health Initiatives

Center for Climate Change and Health Equity

Conveners

Nojin Kwak
 Vice Provost for International Education
Professor of Communication

Diana Aga
 SUNY Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemistry
Director, UB Research and Education in Energy, Environment, and Water (RENEW) Institute

Lina Mu
Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health
Director, Office of Global Health Initiatives

Kelly Baker
 Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health
Director, Center for Climate Change and Health Equity

For More Information

Bruce Acker
Assistant Director, Asia Research Institute
backer@buffalo.edu

Lisa (Vahapoğlu) Lenker, PhD, JD
Education and Outreach Director, RENEW Institute
lisalenk@buffalo.edu

Jennifer Foster, PhD
Assistant Director, Office of Global Health Initiatives
fosterj@buffalo.edu