One hundred years of protecting public health from environmental exposures
This year, the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) celebrates a century of impact toward safe and abundant water, healthy air and equitable policy solutions for a sustainable future on this planet.
Faculty, students and alumni are working to address the most critical threats to public health and the environment, many of which have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. These threats include climate change, COVID-19 and other viruses transported by airborne particles, hazardous agents in contaminated floodwaters, antibiotic resistance, air pollution from wildfires, water availability in low-income countries, and the impacts of extreme weather.
This work is uniquely possible at the Gillings School, where engineering, science and public health are found together and where health equity has always been a central part of our mission.
“As environmental scientists and engineers located within the top public school of public health, ESE is ideally positioned to provide holistic, intersectoral responses to mitigate and prepare for the pressing environmental challenges,” said Barbara Turpin, PhD, professor and chair of environmental sciences and engineering. “On the occasion of our centennial, we affirm our commitment to build public health resilience to climate and environmental change.”
ESE is celebrating throughout the year with a seminar series, paired student and alumni stories, student speed talks and a keynote lecture from alumnus Gary White, CEO of Water.org, which can be found at sph.unc.edu/ESE-centennial. Department leaders are also looking forward to an in-person celebration when the pandemic allows.
