Events

Andrew Maynard to Moderate ACS Webinar on Nanochemistry
August 25th from 2:00-3:00pm

Andrew Maynard will moderate a free ACS Webinar entitled, “Small is Beautiful: Everyday Applications and Advances in Nanochemistry.”  The Webinar will consist of a short presentation followed by a Q&A session with speaker Dr. Paul Weiss of UCLA.  The event will address questions such as: “What can we do now at the nanoscale? What would we like to be able to do at the nanoscale? How are we exploring the limits of miniaturization?” 

Click here for more information and to register for the event.





 University of Michigan, Palmer Commons
100 Washtenaw Ave, 4th Floor
Ann Arbor, MI 
 
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Past Events

The Risk Science Center is joining with the Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies (C-PET) to co-host a telecon with Office of Science and Policy deputy Director for Policy Tom Kalil on Monday July 11th, 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Mr. Kalil will be discussing the Implementation and evolution of the President's innovation strategy with RSC Director Andrew Maynard and C-PET President Nigel Cameron.

Links:

C-PET
President's Innovation Strategy

Tim DvonchTim Dvonch, Ph.D.
Candidate for a Junior Faculty Position associated with the Risk Science Center, presents:
Source Apportionment of Air Pollutants in Support of Informed Policy-Making: A Tale of Two Trails

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University of Michigan, School of Public Health
Room 1655, SPH I
Ann Arbor, MI
Brown Bag Lunch - Snacks Provided
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Abstract: Atmospheric pollutants adversely impact human health through multiple routes of exposure. An important consideration to more effectively regulate air pollution emissions is to understand the specific emission source types and categories resulting in the observed adverse impacts on health. This talk will describe research efforts aimed at characterizing emission source impacts for two pollutants: (1) airborne particulate matter and (2) mercury. While particulate matter and mercury have very different routes of exposure and types of subsequent health effects, they do have common emission sources to the atmosphere. This talk will highlight research findings regarding emission source-specific impacts and emphasize the importance that source apportionment analysis provides to better inform policy-makers and the regulatory process.
Dr. Dvonch's work focuses on the exposure assessment, source identification, and health effects of air pollutants. He obtained a B.S. in Chemistry in 1992. In 1994, he earned an M.S. in Environmental Health Sciences, and subsequently a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences in 1998. Dr. Dvonch serves as Center Exposure Assessment Scientist for the Michigan Center for the Environment and Children's Health, and collaborates on a number of other large multi-disciplinary projects focused on environmental exposures and their related effects on health.

Gulf OilRisk Science Unplugged presents - Gulf Oil

Thursday, April 14
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
University of Michigan, School of Public Health
Room 1755, SPH I
Ann Arbor, MI 
The event will be webcast. 
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On April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig experienced catastrophic failure, leading to the largest oil spill in marine history. Twelve months on, how is the spill affecting the health of workers and local residents, and what are the lessons that can be learned for the future? Join Andrew Maynard in conversation with David Uhlmann (Environmental Law and Policy Program, University of Michigan), Al Franzblau (Associate Dean for Research, University of Michigan School of Public Health), Margaret Kitt (NIOSH) and Richard Kwok (NIEHS) as they discuss the present and future human health implications of the Gulf oil spill.

About the Risk Science Unplugged series of events: Hosted by the University of Michigan Risk Science Center, Risk Science Unplugged engages leading experts in conversation on key issues at the intersection between risk and human health.  Combining live discussion with on-line resources, the series presents a candid and informed exploration of contemporary issues in risk science.  No PowerPoint, no script: just stimulating conversation.

Diana Bowman, Ph.D.
Candidate for a Junior Faculty Position associated with the Risk Science Center, presents:
Contemporary Issues in the Regulation of Both Old and New Technologies: Setting a Research Agenda

Thursday, April 7, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University of Michigan, School of Public Health
Room M1152, SPH II
Ann Arbor, MI
Brown Bag Lunch - Snacks Provided


Abstract: Regulatory frameworks have been consistently challenged by the emergence of new technologies, resulting in periods of both under- and over-regulation. Because of their often rapid commercialisation and transformative and/or disruptive nature, it is possible to contend that finding an appropriate regulatory balance – one that encourages innovation while promoting safety and broader rights – is an impossible task. Only in hindsight will such clarity emerge.

The aim of this presentation is to look at the regulatory challenges and legal questions posed by not only new technologies, but also old medical technologies and/or applications that governments are still struggling to adequately or effectively regulate. The presentation will highlight how, in the absence of clear legal frameworks, 'policy on the run' may be made in an attempt to negate public controversy and prevent public confidence being undermined.

Looking to the future, this presentation will also canvass the big regulatory challenges posed by new forms of nano- and biotechnologies, including synthetic biology, and those technologies that sit at the interface of these convergent technologies. In doing so, it is anticipated that the presentation will raise more questions than what it does answers.

Dr. Diana Bowman is a Senior Research Fellow (Public Health Law) at the Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics, in the University of Melbourne School of Population Health. Her work focuses on governance and ethical issues raised by technology development, and has included the legal and bioethical challenges posed by xenotransplantation, the potential human and environmental health and safety risks associated nanoparticles, and road safety regulation in sub-Sahara Africa. She works widely with stakeholders from government, business and the non-government sector on addressing emerging technology-based issues, and most recently co-edited the International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies.

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Holly Witteman, Ph.D.
Candidate for a Junior Faculty Position associated with the Risk Science Center, presents:
Risk Communication in a Wired World

Tuesday, April 5, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University of Michigan, School of Public Health
Room M1152, SPH II
Ann Arbor, MI
Brown Bag Lunch - Snacks Provided


Abstract: It can be challenging to communicate health risk information effectively. This is due in part to the complexity of risk models and in part to powerful cognitive and emotional biases that affect how people process information about risk. With a particular focus on Human-Computer Interaction and Human Factors in online applications and social media, this talk will 1) discuss findings about how people deal with health risk information in different contexts, and 2) present designs and methods to help people better understand and integrate scientific information about risk and benefit trade-offs. The approach highlighted throughout the talk will be that of designing online communications for the way people are, rather than the way we wish they were.

Dr. Holly Witteman is a Human Factors specialist and engineer, currently with the Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine ay the University of Michigan. Her research interests focus around Human-Computer Interaction in risk communication and decision-making. In this respect she has three interconnected lines of research: Developing and evaluating effective risk communication methods; understanding how social media can influence the way people think and feel about health risks; and building tools that can help people to decide which risks and benefits are important to them when making choices. She is particularly interested in design features that can mitigate the effects of cognitive and affective (emotional) biases.

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Su-Jung (Candace) Tsai, Sc.D.
Candidate for a Junior Faculty Position associated with the Risk Science Center, presents:
Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety: Assessing the Risks of Nanotechnology

Wednesday, March 30
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University of Michigan, School of Public Health
Room 1755, SPH I
Ann Arbor, MI
Brown Bag Lunch - Snacks Provided


Abstract: With nanotechnology moving from development to commercialization at a more rapid rate, so too are calls for a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental and occupational health risks associated with various nanomanufacturing processes. There are indications that a range of engineered nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, agglomerates of nanoparticles, and particles of nanostructured materials, are likely to present potential risks to human health and the environment.  We have the opportunity to address occupational and environmental health and safety issues in a sustainable manner from the beginning.  It is extremely important that all researchers and manufacturers working with engineered nanoparticles incorporate sustainable practices into their work. This talk will review the current research about occupational and environmental exposures to engineered nanoparticles and techniques for evaluating and controlling such exposures.  Case studies from our research will be discussed.  In addition, the current consensus on best practices and control strategies for working with engineered nanoparticles and the challenges presented by the next phase and the research plan will be presented and discussed.

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Ying Zhou Ph.D.
Candidate for a Junior Faculty Position associated with the Risk Science Center, presents:
The Application of Health Risk Assessment in Pollution Control Prioritization and Climate Change

Thursday, March 24
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University of Michigan, School of Public Health
Room M1152, SPH II
Ann Arbor, MI
Brown Bag Lunch - Snacks Provided


Abstract: This talk will discuss two applications of health risk assessment.  The first application is in prioritizing air pollution control strategies in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China. The study analyzes how different emission sectors influence population exposures and the corresponding health risks under different pollution control scenarios.  The anticipated health benefits are evaluated by combining the marginal contribution to baseline concentrations with the concentration-response functions for fine particulates and ozone mortality for China. The second application is in an ongoing project to estimate the cumulative health risks caused by climate change. This study aims to estimate the combined health risks of three stressors (i.e., air pollution, heat waves, vector-borne disease) which have important health consequences.

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February 8, 2011
Nanotechnology - Unplugged Webcast discussion is now available to watch here.

You can post comments and questions on the event on the Nanotechnology – Unplugged website between now and Feb 15 – the comments and responses will be archived.

November 17, 2010
View RSC Director Andrew Maynard's lecture on Building a Sustainable Future - The Role of Risk Science.

Risk Science Symposia

SAVE THE DATE
2011 Risk, Uncertainty and Sustainable Innovation: New Perspectives on Emerging Challenges
September 20-21

2009 Air Toxics Symposium

2007 Nanotechnology and Health

2005 Calculation to Communication

2004 Bernstein Symposium (currently unavailable)

2001 Bernstein Symposium

1999 Inaugural Bernstein Symposium