Events

Learn more about events at the Center for Climate Change and Health Equity as well as community events in Western New York.

Center Events

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

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.

View the Call for Abstracts

Invited speakers

Man with short, dark hair wearing glasses and a light blue shirt against a light gray background.

Aimin Chen, Professor of Epidemiology and Vice Chair of Education, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania

A man in a black suit jacket and pink collared shirt standing against a brick wall outdoors.

Francis de los Reyes, Glenn E. and Phyllis J. Futrell Distinguished Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University

Man in balck collared shirt under a white lab coat standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

Haidong Kan, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Fudan University

A smiling, blonde woman in a red blazer and black shirt with crossed arms on a white background.

Ann Kurth, President, New York Academy of Medicine

Shelley Liu, Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai

A man wearing a dark suit and pink shirt against a white background.

Shane Snyder, José Domingo Pérez Foundation Chair and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Tech

Check back for additional speakers as they are confirmed.

Conference proceedings

April 9 (evening): keynote address; cultural performances by UB and Western New York-based community groups; reception.

April 10 (all day): continental breakfast; presentations from keynote speakers and other invited speakers; lunch; midday poster and networking session; contributed talks.

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. University at Buffalo

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