The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a critical lack of our understanding of the airborne transmission of infectious viral agents. Deficiencies in understanding the deposition, metabolism, distribution in the body, and mechanisms of injury of aerosols (particles suspended in a gas) limit the confidence in setting air quality standards and developing new inhaled therapeutics.
This conference will bring together the brightest minds in airborne transmission to learn from the pandemic and how we can strategize together to protect our most vulnerable in the future.”
– Robert Phalen, PhD
The UC Irvine Program in Public Health received a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to host a conference on inhaled aerosol radioactivity and its advances, applications and impacts on risk assessments and therapeutics. Led by Robert Phalen, PhD, professor of environmental and occupational health and co-director of UCI’s Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory, this conference will offer solid support including an atmosphere conducive to collegiality, inclusion, and creative thinking among engineers, researchers, scientists, and students.
“This conference will bring together the brightest minds in airborne transmission to learn from the pandemic and how we can strategize together to protect our most vulnerable in the future,” said Phalen. “The three-day conference will be held in October 2024 with more information on registration and agenda forthcoming.”
