Registration Now Open for CCTS Conference on Climate and Health

The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science will hold its 17th Annual Spring Conference on April 5, 2022, focusing on “Climate and Health.” 

Join nearly 1,000 researchers, clinicians, students and community members for this free, day-long, in-person event at the Gatton Student Center exploring the relationship between the environment, our health and how we live. 

This year’s keynote speaker is Robert Bullard, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy and director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University. 

Widely regarded as the father of environmental justice, Bullard is an award-winning author of 18 books that address sustainable development, environmental racism, urban land use, industrial facility siting, community reinvestment, housing, transportation, climate justice, disasters, emergency response, community resilience, smart growth and regional equity.

Co-chairs for the 2022 conference are Erin N. Haynes, Dr.PH., the Kurt W. Deuschle Professor of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health and associate director of CCTS, and William C. Haneberg, Ph.D., state geologist and director of the Kentucky Geological Survey.

Keynote co-sponsors include the Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Center for the Environment, Center for Health Equity Transformation, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kentucky Geological Survey, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability & Environment, UK-CARES, UK Superfund Research Center, and UNITE Research Priority Area.

After the keynote, a Climate and Health Panel Discussion will feature Haneberg, Lala Ma, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, and Tom “Fitz” Fitzgerald, J.D., adjunct professor of energy and environmental law at the Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville. Brief presentations from the perspective of geologists, environmental economists and advocates will be followed by a Q&A. 

Fifty-five high school juniors from the Fredrick Douglass Biomedical Sciences Pathway — 60% of whom represent traditionally underserved populations — will attend the CCTS conference. Twenty of these students will present posters at noon in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom. Visit the conference site for the full agenda.

The 2022 CCTS Spring Conference is held in conjunction with the following college-specific research days. All sessions are open to all conference participants.

• College of Dentistry Research Day

• College of Nursing Scholarship Showcase

• College of Public Health Research Day

• College of Health Sciences Research Day

Register: Conference registration is now open and will close on March 25, 2022.

Abstracts: Submit your abstract and learn more here. Submissions for oral and poster presentations will be accepted until March 1, 2022. 

The call for abstracts (no submission fee) is open to interested undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, faculty, research personnel, trainees/scholars and administrators. It is also open to those in government agencies, private foundations and community organizations. Submissions from individuals participating in research career training programs (NIH training programs, including T32, K12, COBRE, Physical Scientist, and Clinical Research Scholar) are particularly encouraged.

Anyone who submits for the poster session is eligible for the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) “60-second Poster Pitch” competition which starts at 2 p.m. This competition will occur in addition to regular poster mentoring/judging activities. Cash prizes will be awarded: $750 for 1st, $500 for 2nd, $250 for 3rd and $100 for the VACE Director's Choice Award.

Mentor Recognition Award Nominations: The CCTS is also accepting nominations of mentors to receive Research Mentor Recognition Awards in Clinical and Translation Science. Only UK faculty members are eligible for this award. Nominate your mentor by Feb. 28, 2022.

For questions about abstracts and mentor nominations, please contact Michelle Jones at michelle.jones2@uky.edu or 859-323-8545.