Blog

[GIRE] RA Internship with a professor from Yale University, School of Public Health

Hello, this is GIRE! Air quality, or atmosphere, is important in regulating climate and sustaining life. However, due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and human activities, air quality has deteriorated significantly over the years, seriously affecting public health. In the past, fine particulate matter was not talked about very often, and then suddenly the problem was emphasized. Also, the phrase "fine particulate matter is killing us" is being used. This is why it is important to look at the relationship between the atmosphere and human health through research to understand and solve global problems. In GIRE, we'll talk to a professor of environmental health at Yale to learn how to do research professionally. [What is air quality?] Air quality refers to the composition of the various gases and particles in the air. Particulate matter refers to small solid or liquid particles that become airborne, and PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) and PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less) are very dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream. You may have seen the letters PM2.5 and PM10 when looking at particulate matter concentrations, which refer to the size of the particles. Internationally, PM2.5 is considered fine particulate matter, and below that level, health effects can occur, especially in sensitive populations such as infants, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions. [Effects of climate change on human health] ▶ Increased infectious disease ▶ water scarcity ▶ nutritional changes ▶ food availability ▶ population displacement Some experts believe that nutrition and food availability will be most affected, especially in low-income countries, he said, which is likely to result in both direct changes (e.g., malnutrition) and indirect changes (increased disease). [What is Environmental Medicine?] "It is a medical science that studies how natural environments such as climate, air, soil, water, and dust, as well as artificial social environments such as cover, housing, and occupation, act on living organisms, and aims to improve the living environment suitable for human health and hygiene through prevention and exclusion of harmful factors." [Environmental Medicine Research: Michelle L. Bell] GIRE is supporting a research experience with Professor Michelle L. Bell of the Department of Environmental Health at Yale University's School of the Environment to delve deeper into environmental medicine. ▶ Research Interests: #Epidemiology #Biostatistics #Air_Pollution #Environmental_Engineering ▶ Recommended students: Students interested in pursuing a career in environmental medicine and healthcare. Students interested in conducting healthcare social policy research. Current research topics of Professor Michelle L. Bell include: ▶Is residential exposure to oil refineries a novel contextual risk factor for coronary heart disease? (2024) ▶ Impact of green space and built environment on metabolic syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis (2024) ▶ A nationwide time-series analysis for short-term effects of ambient temperature on violent crime in South Korea (2024)