Chemicals, Pollution, and Pregnancy: A Reproductive Environmental Health Virtual Conference | 2024
This year's reproductive environmental health conference, Chemicals, Pollution, and Pregnancy 2024 will be hosted by the Great Lakes Center for Reproductive and Children's Environmental Health / Region 5 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit. Our virtual conference will be held October 24th, 2024 from 4:00PM CST to 6:00PM CST. The Zoom invitation will be provided upon registration. The first 50 residents to register will receive $50 for attending the conference.
The 2024 virtual reproductive environmental health conference is designed for OB/GYNs, family physicians, pediatricians, midwives, APNs, and residents. We will discuss the latest, most promising research developments and clinical advancements for reproductive environmental health. Our aim is to provide information for health care personnel and to develop strategies to improve the quality of patient care.
Click Here to Register!
Meet the Speakers Heading link
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Dr. Melissa Fiffer, PhD
Senior Research Scientist, Children’s Environmental Health Initiative (CEHI)
College of Medicine, University of Illinois
Melissa Fiffer is Senior Research Scientist at the Children’s Environmental Health Initiative (CEHI) in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her role includes leading epidemiologic studies, fostering a nationwide network of geographic information systems (GIS)-trained health departments, and managing research translation and communication efforts. She brings 11 years of experience working for the federal government, primarily in the U.S. EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs. She is passionate about using science to tackle complex environmental challenges and inform evidence-based programs and policies to protect public health and reduce inequities. Her research focuses on environmental and social drivers of health disparities, including cardiometabolic and reproductive health outcomes. Melissa holds a PhD in Environmental Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a master’s degree in Environmental Health from the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment.
Dr. Joe Zargorski, PhD
Assistant Professor, Center for Research on Ingredient Safety
Michigan State University
Joe Zagorski, Ph.D., is a toxicologist for the Center of Research on Ingredient Safety. He is dedicated to better understanding and supporting the safety of consumer products as they pertain to bettering public health. Dr. Zagorski a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology and Environmental Toxicology from Michigan State University in 2017. While at MSU, he studied the role of a cell stress pathway, activated by chemical toxicants, in the alteration of immune function. After graduation, Joe accepted a position at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, studying translational therapeutics for pediatric cancer. Three years later, he would transition into a role creating, facilitating, and carrying out translational research at Spectrum Health beyond pediatric oncology. At Spectrum, he supported projects ranging from heart disease to adult oncology and precision medicine.Dr. Bruce Bekkar, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology Climate for Health Fellow, ecoAmerica
Co-host, Green Docs
Bruce Bekkar is a women’s health physician and international keynote speaker engaged with the climate crisis since 2007. He currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Climate Change and Health and as a Fellow and member of the Leadership Circle Executive Committee at ecoAmerica in Washington, DC. At home in Southern California, he is Chair Emeritus of the Public Health Advisory Council and a public health consultant for the County of San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework. Bruce has given more than 100 presentations on climate and health to diverse audiences including the American Meteorological Society, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Genentech, England’s Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the California State Senate and members of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the lead author of the first large-scale review of birth impacts and climate change, published in JAMA in June 2020, and he co-hosts “Green Docs,” a new podcast at the intersection of women’s health, pregnancy outcomes and our environment.
Chemicals, Pollution, and Pregnancy 2024 Conference Agenda Heading link
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| 4:00 - 4:05 PM | Welcome and comments by Dr. Susan Buchanan, MD, MPH |
| 4:05 PM - 4:40 PM | Presentation: Environmental and Social Drivers of Disparities in Reproductive Outcomes by Dr. Melissa Fiffer, PhD |
| 4:40 PM - 5:15 PM | Presentation: The Effects of Lead Exposure on the Developing Immune System during Early Life Stages by Dr. Joe Zagorski, PhD |
| 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM | Keynote Presentation: Climate Change, Birth Outcomes and You by Dr. Bruce Bekkar, MD |
| 6:00 PM - 6:05 PM | Wrap-up |