Health-Atmosphere Nexus Group
New publication on predicting organic carbon pollution
Jan 2025
With support from NIH/NIEHS and NASA MISR/MAIA science team, we present a novel study that integrates spaceborne multi-angle sensor technology and ensemble machine learning techniques to predict long-term particulate organic carbon pollution and identify its sources. This research highlights the potential of remote sensing and advanced computational methods to improve air quality monitoring and source attribution.​More details on the publication can be found HERE.
AGU24 highlights
Dec 2024
Several group members attended the AGU24 Meeting in DC to present their research. The photo features PhD student Uma, who was invited to give an oral presentation on her work on extreme heat and drug overdoses. We co-hosted a series of successful events and meeting sessions on climate and health, funded by NSF and the AGU GeoHealth section. Dr. Hang was elected to the AGU leadership team as a council member, representing early career scientists from over 100 countries.
Happy Thanksgiving
Nov 2024
We had a small Thanksgiving party to celebrate all the progress and achievements this year. Dr. Nally has been leveling up his research and programming skills, Uma submitted her first manuscript, Aidong and Zhengyi are making great strides on their first projects, and Yue and Kathryn are starting to apply their interdisciplinary skills to environmental health research. Big thanks to everyone for all the hard work this year and excited for what’s next :)
Welcome Yue and Kathryn
Sep 2024
Welcome to our new master’s students! Yue completed her MS in City and Regional Planning at UNC-Chapel Hill and is interested in the relationship between air pollution, extreme heat, and their health impacts. Kathryn joins us through the Rice-UT 4+1 program, driven by her passion for applying chemistry and analytical skills to advance actionable initiatives in climate change and environmental health.
Together, we took a group photo in November 2024.
Welcome new PhD students
Aug 2024
We are excited to welcome our first cohort of EOHS PhD students, each with a diverse background. Zhengyi (MPH, NYU) was a professional poker player in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Uma (MPH, Emory) has extensive experience with national and international organizations focused on sustainable solutions. Aodong (MPA, Cornell) has been playing hockey and rock climbing for many years with a professional certificate. We wish them all an enjoyable PhD journey!
New publication on mental health
July 2024
The intensification of global warming has led to a rise in the frequency of heatwaves. Green space systems effectively mitigate heatwaves, slow the urban heat island effect, and enhance mental health. Motivated by these benefits, we examine the correlation between heatwaves, urban green spaces, and residents' mental health within an environmental health risk assessment framework.
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Read the open-access publication HERE.
Best wishes to our graduates
May 2024
It's a fruitful time of the year. Several group members completed their MPH studies and will soon begin their PhD/MD journeys. Ethan will join the University of Colorado as an MD student, and Uma will join UTHealth as a PhD student, having obtained the Outstanding New Student Scholarship. Edward, after completing a year of training as a researcher, will join the University of Pennsylvania as a PhD student. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors!
Drs. Nally and Hang attended NASA STM
April 2024
Group members attended the NASA TRACER-AQ STM and presented research on air pollution and health disparities. In partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the DOE-led Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions Experiment (TRACER) campaign, and several academic collaborators, NASA deployed assets to Houston, Texas, to measure air quality constituents at high spatial and temporal resolutions. More information can be found HERE.
Edward won NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
April 2024
Under the mentorship of Dr. Hang, Edward won the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for a five-year period. The funded project is about using AI to combine satellite and drone observations to improve wildfire prevention in the US. The photo captures the moment when Edward and Dr. Hang were discussing the fellowship proposal at a Thai restaurant. Congratulations!
2023 American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting
December 2023
We presented and contributed four studies at the Meeting, covering topics including air pollution, wildfires, and health disparities. We hosted a meeting session about climate and health and assisted NASA with a session on environmental justice and equity. Dr. Hang was selected as the new Co-Chair of the AGU GeoHealth Early Career Committee.
AGU is a nonprofit organization that includes 130,000 people. More information about AGU GeoHealth can be found HERE.
New publication on health disparity
November 2023
Previous studies have reported that particulate elemental carbon (EC) may have elevated toxicity. However, developing a ground monitoring network for EC is difficult. To face the challenge, we combined satellite remote sensing, machine learning techniques, and atmospheric big data to estimate long-term EC exposures in data-poor regions.
Read the open-access publication HERE.
The Rollins Magazine featured our work
October 2023
Our work on the application of NASA satellite observations to promote environmental justice was featured in the Rollins Magazine Cover Story, "Exposing the Exposome". Alongside world-class Rollins researchers, we use exposure science to understand how our environments influence our health and why the effects can vary so widely among different people and spaces.
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Picture credits to the Rollins Magazine. Read the Story HERE.
Welcome new members
September 2023
Dr. Hang moved from Emory University to UTHealth. The photo on the left shows the first group photo. We welcome new members: Edward Zhang from the University of Pennsylvania with a background in computer science and economics; Yating Zeng from the University of Southern California with an MS in Biostatistics; and Dr. John Nally, a two-time US military veteran and clinician with extensive occupational medicine experience. Welcome to the group!
Ethan presented research at GCC
May 2023
Ethan was selected to present his research on applying satellite remote sensing to environmental justice at the 2023 Georgia Climate Conference (photo credits to Garry Harris). During his talk, he engaged in discussions with researchers, community stakeholders, and decision-makers. This was Ethan's first time attending an academic meeting. Well done!
