100th Newsletter Edition
Chapter and Committee Highlights |
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The Communications Committee is excited to celebrate a major milestone: the publication of our 100th newsletter! For years, the newsletter has served as a cornerstone of our society, keeping members informed and connected. Reaching this milestone reflects the collective energy of our members, who continue to share their ideas, achievements, and perspectives with our community.
Over the past year, we have expanded our efforts to connect and engage members in new ways. We launched a novel webinar series on the latest developments in Generative Artificial Intelligence, bringing cutting-edge science directly to our community. We published several insightful commentaries from members, offering diverse viewpoints and sparking important conversations. We also developed new avenues to support publication charges, helping to ensure equitable opportunities for sharing research.
Our partner journal, Environmental Epidemiology, recently welcomed a new co-Editor-in-Chief and associate editors. We look forward to continued collaboration that showcases the outstanding research of our members. Our social media presence also continues to grow, now spanning 8 platforms, including region-specific accounts designed to foster stronger global engagement. Give us a follow!
As we look back on 100 newsletters, we are proud of the role the Communications Committee has played in amplifying member voices and advancing our mission. Looking ahead, we are committed to building on this momentum. Here’s to the next 100 newsletters and beyond!
P.S. If you would like to help shape future newsletters and communications, we’d be delighted to have you join our committee – just reach out to communications@iseepi.org. |
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Africa Chapter
Building Momentum and Impact Across the Continent |
The ISEE Africa Chapter continues to make remarkable progress in advancing environmental epidemiology and strengthening collaboration across the continent. Over the past year, the Chapter has deepened partnerships, built capacity, and amplified Africa’s voice in global environmental health discussions.
With support from ISEE Global, the Chapter organized impactful capacity-building workshops and sponsored member participation at the annual ISEE Conference. These initiatives have fostered vibrant cross-country networks, strengthened research collaboration, and promoted innovation in environmental health science.
A major highlight is the Africa Chapter Symposium at the ISEE 2025 Conference in Atlanta, where African researchers showcased groundbreaking studies addressing the continent’s pressing environmental challenges. The Chapter also completed leadership elections and approved new governance modules, ensuring inclusivity and continuity in its strategic direction.
Looking ahead, the Chapter aims to broaden its partnerships with universities and research institutions across Africa, increase postgraduate membership, and roll out a series of webinars and hands-on workshops tailored to regional needs. Plans are also underway for a joint seminar with the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter—an exciting opportunity to strengthen South–South collaboration and share lessons in building environmental health resilience.
As the outgoing Chapter Chair, Prof. Kwaku Poku Asante notes, “Our growing visibility and collective action continue to position Africa as a key contributor to global environmental health science.”
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Asia and Western Pacific Chapter Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Growth |
The ISEE Asia and Western Pacific Chapter (ISEE-AWPC) continues to advance collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange among environmental health researchers across the region.
The Chapter strengthened its engagement through webinars and training sessions on climate change, health risk assessment, and methodological advancements in environmental epidemiology. These initiatives brought together researchers, students, and policymakers, fostering dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration. Notably, membership grew to 417 members in 2025, a 34% increase from 311 in 2024, reflecting the Chapter’s expanding reach and influence. The AWPC registration awards for ISEE 2025 conference were given to: 9 LMICs and 2 student participants.
ISEE-AWPC also enhanced its student and early-career researcher (SNRN) engagement by supporting active participation in ISEE’s global activities. Collaborations with regional societies such as the Malaysian Society for Environmental Epidemiology (MySEE) and universities in Korea and Japan further strengthened academic and professional networks across borders.
In addition, the Chapter expanded its communication and outreach through newsletters, social media, and close collaboration with the ISEE Communication Committee, ensuring greater visibility of member achievements and events.
Looking ahead, ISEE-AWPC is preparing for the 2026 ISEE AWPC Conference, which will further promote engagement, knowledge sharing, and research collaboration on climate and environmental health.
Through these initiatives, ISEE-AWPC continues to embody ISEE’s mission to promote environmental epidemiology globally while addressing region-specific challenges and fostering the next generation of researchers. |
Eastern Mediterranean Chapter Spotlighting Our Fellow Members’ Accomplishments |
Dr. Ejaz Ahmad Khan has been awarded the President's Medal by the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), UK, in recognition of his outstanding service and contributions to public health. Dr. Khan also achieved an impressive h-index of 112 this year, reflecting hi sustained excellence and influence in research.
In parallel, Dr. Amal Saad-Hussein has made remarkable contributions to the field of environmental health and climate research through her authorship of two influential books on climate change and its health impacts. Her 2023 book, Impact of Climate Change on Health in Africa, and her 2025 publication, Climate Change Impacts on Toxins and Health Effects, provide vital insights into the health impacts of global warming, offering evidence-based guidance on toxin-related risks and adaptation strategies.
As the youngest chapter of ISEE, the Eastern Mediterranean Chapter has focused on capacity building and supporting its members in the region. These accomplishments exemplify the excellence and dedication to advancing public health and environmental research globally within our Chapter. |
Europe Chapter Driving Environmental Health Progress Through Collaboration and Advocacy |
The ISEE Europe Chapter supports the translation of research into timely
and effective environmental health policy and fosters research networking and training across Europe.
A recent success was the Europe Chapter´s engagement in the revision of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive, which demonstrated we can
achieve improvements of environmental health at the highest political level. By actively participating in EU consultations, writing multiple
statements, conducting conferences and virtual meetings and repeatedly directly speaking to policy makers (after being trained in our “elevator
pitch”), the ISEE Europe Chapter together with the ISEE Policy Committee and other partners (ERS, HEI) provided expert scientific input
that helped strengthen air quality standards and prevent or attenuate attempts to weaken them. The revised directive now offers a more robust
framework for monitoring, reporting, and reducing air pollution, highlighting the vital role scientific communities have in shaping
effective environmental policies. Beyond air pollution, the Europe Chapter includes experts in many other
key environmental areas, for example contributing to policy and research in climate change, noise and pesticides. We also prioritize training the
next generation of researchers. We’ve held regular ISEE ‘Young’ Conferences in several locations in Europe, mostly recently in Rennes (2024) Finally, we are committed to inclusivity and aim to engage researchers from all areas of the continent, including East and Southeast Europe.
Recent efforts include holding masterclasses and workshops in the area, offering free registration and dedicated symposiums at the ISEE Europe
Young conference, and recruiting regional representatives as elected members. |
Latin America and the Caribbean Chapter From the Region to the World: ISEE-LAC Ignites Collaboration, Capacity, and Change |
The Latin American and Caribbean Chapter (ISEE-LAC) has had an active and impactful year, advancing environmental epidemiology through capacity building, collaboration, and outreach across the LAC region. Our flagship initiative in 2025 is the III Meeting of Young Researchers in Environmental Health, a free virtual event held with host Universities in the LAC, where we welcome presentations in any LAC language, and of research in any phase.
We are also very excited about our Series of Environmental Health Webinars (June–November), featuring 16 free, biweekly virtual events co-hosted with CREEH Perú. These webinars address pressing issues such as microplastics, air pollution, climate change, metals, and pesticides, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and communities. In November, we will also co-host a South-South joint session with the ISEE Africa Chapter, strengthening inter-regional collaboration.
At Toxilatin 2025, we organized the round table “Exposome research in Latin America – where we are and where to go”, in partnership with the International Human Exposome Network (IHEN). This initiative fostered dialogue between leading global and regional experts and was supported
by IHEN travel grants.
We are finalizing an agreement with PAHO/WHO, aimed at strengthening environmental health capacity in LAC through webinars, courses, workshops, science-based policy recommendations, and a regional EH inventory.
ISEE-LAC is also enhancing communication and networking tools. We are working to expand our regional inventory of EH researchers, to develop a new website integrated with the global ISEE platform, and to launch an interactive forum to foster exchange among researchers.
Through these initiatives, ISEE-LAC continues to promote equity, mentorship, and scientific collaboration, advancing environmental health in Latin America and beyond. |
North America Chapter
Building a Stronger, More Connected Scientific Community |
The ISEE-North America Chapter (NAC) has over 1,000 members across the United States and Canada. As a chapter, we host an ongoing and well-attended monthly webinar series that focuses on research, training and career development. The NAC policy committee is very active in supporting various sign-on opportunities and recently released a NAC policy statement in response to current events. We are dedicated to supporting early career members, including through our annual SNRN abstract contest. The winner of the contest receives the opportunity to share their science via a NAC-sponsored webinar and a complimentary year of ISEE membership.
We also organize annual mentoring cohorts that have been very popular and facilitate connections across different professional levels and research areas. Recently, we have focused on improving member outreach by updating the NAC website, launching a new LinkedIn page and sending regular newsletters to keep our members informed on ISEE events and other related opportunities.
As part of our expanded outreach activities, we are planning a member survey to determine how the NAC can best support our members with their current challenges. Based on the success of our first NAC conference in Corvallis, Oregon in 2023, we are hosting a second NAC conference in June 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. We hope to see you there! |
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Annual Conference Committee
Conference Planning with Focus on Sustainability, Inclusion, and Strategic Growth |
The Annual Conference Committee (ACC) consists of one chair and fifteen members from five different chapters. The committee includes five SNRN members and the Sustainability Task Force, which the SNRN members organize. The Sustainability Task Force advises conference organizers on how to make conferences more environmentally friendly.
In addition to supporting the local organizing committees of upcoming conferences, the ACC provides advice and support to regional conference organizers to ensure compliance with ISEE guidelines. The ACC organizes the bidding process for future conferences and has selected locations for annual conferences through to 2031. To ensure consistency in conference organization, the ACC issues the bidding process and selection of professional conference organizers (PCO) in collaboration with the executive council. The ACC develops strategies to streamline the sponsorship of annual conferences and is updating the annual conference handbook to provide a governance structure for future conferences.
The ACC will continue to work towards hosting successful meetings that foster communication and exchange among health professionals from diverse geographic locations worldwide. The ACC also ensures an inclusive environment for all members.
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Capacity Building and Education Committee Empowering Global Environmental Epidemiology Through Education, Training, and Equitable Capacity Building |
ISEE Capacity Building and Education Committee (CAPE) plays an important role in advancing environmental epidemiology worldwide through education, training, and equitable capacity building. CAPE runs workshops that help researchers strengthen their skills in study design, data analysis, writing, and publication. It also organizes courses on advanced methods at ISEE events and in partnership with other organizations, curates teaching resources on emerging epidemiological methods, supports inventories of educational opportunities, and promotes collaboration across career stages and regions to build North–South, South–South, and North–North networks.
During 2024–2025, CAPE reached several milestones. The Environmental Mixtures Course Series offered four months of structured webinars with 10 expert speakers, combining theory, practical sessions, and a panel discussion. Each session drew more than 200 registrants.
The Peer Editing Program continued to support researchers from LMICs and under-represented groups, helping broaden the range of voices contributing to environmental health research. CAPE also launched the Meet the Author Series, giving members an inside look at the research and mentoring process, and hosted its first Panel Discussion with Editors, featuring Editors-in-Chief from leading journals.
CAPE will continue to build on these efforts, expanding training opportunities, supporting a diverse research community, and strengthening networks that advance the field of environmental epidemiology. |
DEI Committee Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Global Impact at ISEE |
In honor of the 100th edition of the ISEE Newsletter, the DEI Committee is pleased to share our contributions toward a more inclusive and forward-thinking Society. Our work has directly supported ISEE’s strategic goals through key activities such as co-hosting the 2023 "Racialization: Dynamic Global Racial Hierarchies" symposium with the University of Michigan’s Racism Lab, advising on diverse keynote speakers for the annual conference, and introducing new inclusive initiatives including a 2025 DEI abstract award and co-facilitation of joint ISES-ISEE events, such as the Global Town Hall and Women's Networking Event.
As we look ahead, we will continue to include questions on DEI climate in the ISEE membership survey to gather crucial data, with plans to publish a report and develop strategic recommendations to ensure our society continues to foster a welcoming environment and produces science that effectively addresses the root causes of global environmental inequities. |
Ethics and Philosophy Committee Broadens Agenda to Address Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Ethical Challenges |
The Ethics and Philosophy Committee is very delighted to share the significant achievements of the last year. As the committee continues to welcome new members, we receive attention from many non-members who actively seek our advice. Scientists from other disciplines are continuously referring to our Ethics Guidelines for Environmental Epidemiologists (adopted in September 2023).
We have decided to expand our scope and explore emerging issues, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ethical perspectives. The E&P committee teamed up with the Communication Committee and organized a webinar in July on Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Epidemiology Research: Some Ethical Perspectives.
In the annual meeting in Atlanta, USA, the committee organized a symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Ethics: The Pros and Cons of Its Use in Environmental Health and Epidemiology. We look forward to developing ethical guidelines specific to AI in the context of Environmental Epidemiology. The guidelines are expected to be well accepted by other scientific groups.
The committee is accomplishing regular yearly activities, such as an essay competition for the students and the new researchers, and giving prizes to the winners. Every year, at the ISEE meeting, we organize ethics discussions following the conclusion of selected oral sessions. This year, we selected four sessions, and the presenters actively discussed ethical perspectives of their respective research.
We continue to support the scientists and groups who are threatened and harassed by the authorities and powerful industries for exposing wrongdoing. In the current political landscape, we suspect more such abuse of power by the ruling class and vested interest groups, and intimidation of the scientists. Thus, in the coming days, the committee's roles will become more crucial, urging all society members to utilize this platform to fight together.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" -Helen Keller.
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Membership Committee
Expands Access and Affordability, Promotes Inclusion for LMIC and Eastern European Members |
The Membership Committee recognizes the importance of making memberships more accessible for students in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC's) and is actively exploring funding opportunities to offer more free student memberships. The committee also promoted a change in membership fees for Eastern European members to the levels of LMIC's. The proposal was approved by council and members residing in the following Eastern European countries are now eligible for the LMIC membership rate: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia. To check LMIC eligibility click here or contact the ISEE Secretariat. The committee invites input from all members on membership benefits that would not only draw new members to our society but also provide benefits for current members such that they would want to renew their membership even if they are unable to attend an annual conference.
The membership committee has been working with Chapters and the SNRN to establish and promote general guidelines for offering free memberships. A consensus has been that we primarily need to support junior members from LMIC's and members who have difficulties in affording membership fees but are willing to make special contributions to ISEE. Sign up here if you'd like to learn more about this opportunity once finalized.
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Policy Committee Driving Global Health and Climate Policy Through Scientific Leadership |
The Policy Committee (PC) provides policy makers and the public with expert opinion on scientific questions related to environmental health policy. We advised our society policy regarding vested interests and supported endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation treaty PC has official relationships with World Health Organization (WHO), and has contributed to documents on air pollution, chemical safety, global control of lead exposure, as well as on air pollution and climate change action.
In regard to climate change, a workshop was organized before COP28 in Dubai, resulting in a workshop publication entitled Transitioning from Climate Ambition to Climate Action Through Public Health Policy Initiatives. In 2025, the statement Health and economic benefits of energy, urban planning, and food interventions that lower greenhouse gas emissions were shared at the 2nd WHO Conference on Air Quality and Health. PC also joined The Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), which coordinates health organization involvements in climate negotiations.
Regarding clean air, we participated in the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive revisions by providing evidence, synthesizing current scientific results, and translating evidence to policy makers in the European parliament, the European Commission, and within the Member States. This also included several commentaries and closer collaborations with European Respiratory Society. Another PC member has been highlighting the benefits of the China Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, the hospital admissions associated with PM2.5 and BC were reduced with 30% and 21% from 2013 to 2017, respectively.
We encourage more members to join us in our initiatives. |
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Student and New Researchers Network
Driving Collaboration, Career Growth, and Community: SNRN at the Heart of ISEE’s Future |
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The ISEE Student and New Researchers Network (SNRN) represents students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career researchers in environmental epidemiology and related disciplines. With members making up 45% of ISEE’s total membership, SNRN plays a central role in fostering collaboration and capacity building.
During 2024–2025, the SNRN continued the EPILOG Webinar Series, a four-part webinar series that showcases the work and experiences of trainees and seasoned researchers. These sessions explored academic and non-academic career paths, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, the importance of public engagement, and why mental health in research should be prioritized. Additionally, the SNRN is collaborating with the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter to host the Third Meeting of Young Researchers in Environmental Health, a regional event fostering dialogue, mentoring, and collaborative research exchange. For the 2025 ISES-ISEE Conference, the SNRN organized a Poster Award Competition, a Happy Hour networking event, and a Career Panel titled “Beyond Borders,” focused on international academic pathways. These activities highlighted early career research, promoted community building, and provided career guidance, all of which support the SNRN mission.
Coming soon, the SNRN will launch a Science Communication Course designed to strengthen skills for engaging non-expert audiences. Other activities and membership benefits of the SNRN include free access to career development webinars, manuscript editing support through the Peer Editing Program (PEP), discounted conference registration, and publishing fee waivers. Together, these initiatives demonstrate SNRN’s commitment to empowering the next generation of researchers, enhancing scientific exchange, and building a strong, diverse community within ISEE. |
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Webinar Series on Climate Change Second of Three Webinars Planned |
The North American and European Chapters of ISEE along with the Student and New Researcher Network invite you to participate in the second of three webinars scheduled for the series.
Join us on Thursday, November 6, 2025 for How Climate Change is Affecting Mental Health? with panelists, Susan Clayton, College of Wooster, Qingyang Zhu, Emory University and Daniella Watson, Imperial College of London.
Click here to register.
The October 10 recording of, What's The New Evidence for Climate Change Health Effects, with panelists, Robbie Parks, Columbia University and Antonio Gasparrini, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, click here to watch.
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Abstracts of the Joint Annual Meeting of International Society of Exposure Science and the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology Open access |
The conference attracted more than 1800 attendees from 68 countries, showcasing a strong international presence and reflected significant engagement from the next generation of researchers. The scientific program featured 492 oral presentations, 42 traditional oral sessions, 24 flash talk sessions, 1,614 poster displays and 100 late-breaking e-posters. Download a copy from the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
Take a moment to join us in celebrating ISEE's 2025 Award Winners. |
A Health Story About Childhood Cancer Free E-book in Spanish |
This free eBook chapter includes a wealth of information on environmental factors associated with childhood cancer, such as air pollution, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, tobacco, and radiation exposure. It also describes the benefits of breastfeeding, a healthy diet, prenatal vitamin supplementation, and early childhood activities, such as daycare and exposure to animals, to reduce the risk of leukemia and other cancers.
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Quantitative Bias Analysis (QBA) SIG Inaugural Webinar Learn about the basics of QBA |
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ISEE's Special Interest Group on Quantitative Bias Analysis (QBA SIG) is excited to announce its first of a planned series of webinars on Quantitative Bias Analysis (QBA), an increasingly important tool for addressing bias in epidemiologic studies and improve risk assessment and decision making. This series is being done jointly with the Health and Environmental Science Institute Global Environmental Epidemiology Committee.
The first webinar in the series will feature Dr. Tim Lash (Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University), on October 28 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Through his presentation titled “Quantitative bias analysis: The good, the bad and the ugly”, Dr. Lash will introduce the fundamentals of various QBA methods, their utility, shortcomings, and how they are sometimes used (intentionally or unintentionally) against their best purposes.
If you are interested in learning about QBA, whether you are entirely new
to the topic or looking to strengthen your foundation, this series will be of
great value, and this first session is the perfect place to start.
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