Understanding exposure and well-being and providing tools to lessen the impacts of urban air pollution in disproportionately impacted communities

CivMin Distinguished Lecture Series
with Prof. Shelly Miller
Mechanical Engineering Department
Environmental Engineering Program
University of Colorado Boulder

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 5 p.m.
GB202 – Galbraith Building, 35 St.George Street, University of Toronto

PLEASE RSVP – REGISTRATION IS FREE

A REMINDER EMAIL WILL BE SENT CLOSER TO DATE

Abstract:
Adverse health effects associated with urban air pollution exposure are disproportionately higher in racial/ethnic minority communities and with lower incomes. Elevated exposures to fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10-2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide and industrial odors are of particular concern because of their immediate health and wellbeing impacts on residents. Dr. Miller’s research over the past fifteen years has focused on working within communities in Colorado to understand how housing characteristics, socioeconomic status, proximity to industrial and transportation sources degrade wellbeing and respiratory health. Her work has evolved to provide tools that can be readily used for communities to understand their urban air pollution exposure, to report odors and wellbeing impacts, and to mitigate exposures.  In this presentation, Dr. Miller will review her groups’ studies funded by HUD, EPA, NSF, and other organizations to further our understanding of urban air pollution in our unequal society.

Bio:
Dr. Shelly L. Miller is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and faculty in the Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, holding an M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College.  Dr. Miller studies urban air quality and works diligently to understand the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment. She is an expert on indoor air quality, airborne infectious disease transmission, air pollution and air cleaning technologies, and assessing and mitigating urban air pollution exposures in underserved communities. Dr. Miller is a member of the Academy of Fellows of the International Society for Indoor Air and Climate (ISIAQ) and is also an Associate Editor for Environmental Science and Technology. Dr. Miller has published over 100 peer reviewed articles on air quality including timely papers on COVID-19 transmission and control and is the principal investigator on the National Science Foundation’s Social Justice and Environmental Equity Project in Denver (SJEQDenver.com).