UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center

We're thrilled to share that Janine LaSalle, Ph.D., has been elected a Fellow of the AAAS - The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) — one of the highest honors in science. 🎉

Dr. LaSalle is a professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine and deputy director of our UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center (EHSC). Her pioneering research into gene-environment epigenetics has shed new light on the biological mechanisms behind autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

This is exactly the kind of work EHSC was built for — exploring how environmental exposures shape gene expression across generations and translating that science into prevention strategies that reach the communities who need them most, including those facing disproportionate environmental health burdens.

Read more about Dr. LaSalle's research and what it means for the future of population health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/two-researchers-elected-as-aaas-fellows-for-shaping-science-of-neurological-conditions/2026/03

See the full list of 2025 AAAS Fellows: https://www.aaas.org/page/2025-fellows

Graphic: Sepia portrait of Dr. LaSalle with blue DNA strand on green background, with AAAS fellowship details and link to environmentalhealth.ucdavis.edu

Happy May Day, California!

📍 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
➡️ Monday, May 4, 2026, at 12:00pm
🏛️ State Capitol, 14th and L Street, Sacramento

This Monday, May 4, stand with UC leaders, faculty, students, and working people at the Rally for California Science in Sacramento — in support of SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond Act.

SB 895 would put a $23 billion bond before voters to fund the research that powers our communities: cancer treatments, mental health breakthroughs, cleaner air, and wildfire resilience. This is science that saves lives right here in California.

Join UC President Milliken, Senator Scott Wiener, and UAW President Shawn Fain on May 4. Our health, our jobs, and our future are worth showing up for. 💙🔬

Learn how UC leaders, faculty and students are urging lawmakers to fully fund UC: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-leaders-faculty-and-students-urge-lawmakers-fully-fund-university

Urge lawmakers to dedicate research bond funding for UC: https://universityofcalifornia.quorum.us/campaign/158142/

What's fueling cancer risk in California firefighters? 🔥

Wildfire seasons are getting longer and more intense — and the dangers don't end when the flames do. Firefighters face repeated exposure to smoke, toxic chemicals, and extreme conditions that can affect their health for years to come.

On March 17, the UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center is hosting a Science Seminar featuring two remarkable people working to change that.

UC Davis Professor Shehnaz Hussain and LA County Fire Captain Jamie Gabriel — who brings 18 years of frontline firefighting experience — will share what the California Firefighter Cancer Research Study is uncovering about fire-related exposures and how science can help protect the people who protect us.

This one is for anyone who cares about the health of our first responders. Join us from anywhere — it's free and open to all via Zoom.

📅 Tuesday, March 17, 2026

💻 Via Zoom 🔗 https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/98756038234?pwd=GlSecMsT2lxuzNVRRwiOTuUiscHPV9.1
Meeting ID: 987 5603 8234
Passcode: 302879

More info: environmentalhealth.ucdavis.edu/events/science-seminar-march-17-2026

If you work in climate adaptation — researchers, planners, resilience builders — this is for you.

The work of helping communities prepare for climate impacts is critical. It's also demanding in ways that don't always get acknowledged.

The 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 is now open, and we want to hear from you. This survey is designed to understand the wellbeing of people working on the front lines of climate adaptation — so we can better support the field as a whole.

✅ Takes about 10 minutes
✅ Completely confidential
✅ 100% online

Your voice matters. The more people who participate, the stronger and more useful this data becomes — for researchers, organizations, funders, and everyone who cares about sustaining this workforce.

Take the Survey & share with a colleague who should take it too. 👇
https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_06dbPQzGJXNrR6C

As wildfires continue to impact communities around the world, our researchers are working to better understand how wildfire smoke affects our health — including during pregnancy.

A recent study co-authored by Environmental Health Science Center members examined whether exposure to wildfire-specific fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy is linked to preterm birth.

Using national data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, scientists found wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, particularly during more intense wildfire events.

Read more below and follow us for more research!


Here's the study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(25)00202-5/fulltext

Learn more about our research: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/how-does-wildfire-smoke-impact-pregnancy-and-children/2023/02

🌳 NEW RESEARCH: Why Trees Matter for Your Family’s Heart Health

When we think about raising healthy families, our neighborhoods may matter more than we realize.

New research from EHSC member Peter James, ScD, and colleagues shows that not all greenspace supports heart health equally — and the kind of greenery around your home could make a real difference for families.

Using deep learning applied to 350 million street-view images, the team went beyond satellite data to examine what people actually see in their neighborhoods — trees, grass, and other types of greenery — and how those exposures relate to cardiovascular disease risk.

🔍 Key findings from a nationwide cohort of 88,000+ nurses:

➡️ Higher exposure to visible trees was associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk

➡️ Higher exposure to grass and other low-lying greenspace was associated with higher CVD risk

➡️ Results were robust across regions, population density, air pollution levels, and socioeconomic factors — and held even after accounting for traditional satellite-based vegetation measures

Researchers discovered that lumping all greenspace together can mask meaningful health effects.

This study shows what kind of green we invest in matters, with clear implications for urban planning, environmental policy, and public health interventions. Urban forestry may deliver far greater cardiovascular benefits than turfgrass alone.

📄 Read the paper: https://journals.lww.com/environepidem/fulltext/2026/02000/assessing_greenspace_and_cardiovascular_disease.11.aspx

📣 Read the Press Release: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/trees--not-grass-and-other-greenery--associated-with-lower-heart-disease-risk-in-cities/2026/01

🔁 If you work in environmental health, urban planning, climate policy, or public health — please share.

Upcoming Science Seminar: Biomonitoring for the Public

Join us for a science seminar featuring Carol Kwiatkowski, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Million Marker. Explore how testing and education can help people reduce harmful exposures.

Date & Time: Tuesday, January 20 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST

Speaker: Carol Kwiatkowski, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Million Marker

Location: Zoom (Meeting ID: 962 7129 3813 | Passcode: 272327)

https://environmentalhealth.ucdavis.edu/events/science-seminar-january-20-2026

🔬 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 – UC Davis School of Medicine

📍 Department of Public Health Sciences
🆔 Job
📅 Applications 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📌 Application review begins January 27, 2026

𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳? 𝘛𝘢𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵.

UC Davis is recruiting an Assistant Professional Researcher to build and lead an independent, high-impact research program in childhood environmental epidemiology, with a focus on mixtures analysis, modifiable factors, and molecular mechanisms.

This is a research-intensive, career-advancing role for scientists ready to drive their own agenda within a collaborative research environment—no teaching responsibilities required.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼
• Develop and lead an independent research program focused on chemical and air pollution exposures and child health outcomes
• Design and conduct advanced epidemiologic and statistical analyses (birth outcomes, neurodevelopment, molecular markers)
• Publish first- and co-authored papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Write and manage grants as PI or co-investigator (NIH and other funders)
• Collaborate on large, multi-investigator studies and disseminate findings to scientific and community audiences
• Contribute to national research consortia, professional societies, and scientific peer review

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿
• Ph.D. in epidemiology, environmental science, or a related field
• 3–5 years of postdoctoral or equivalent experience
• Strong publication record
• Experience working with the ECHO data platform
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-science environment
• Authorization to work in the U.S. (visa sponsorship not available)

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗨𝗖 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀
• Competitive salary range: $93,400–$122,100 (Exempt)
• Access to major population-based studies and interdisciplinary collaborators
• A mission-driven department focused on translating research into real-world public health impact
• Clear pathway to build and sustain an independent research career

🔗 See full, official posting & apply here: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07412

🌍 Join us on Tuesday, November 18 at 12 pm PST for a free public seminar featuring Perry Hystad, Ph.D. who will speak on “New Frontiers in Accountability Research: Integrating Novel Data & Causal Inference Methods in the TRANSIT Accountability Study.”

📍 On Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/94653910280?pwd=eFMiFeraa7DAjsZbMNMbZCdXDAlMeI.1
Meeting ID: 946 5391 0280
Passcode: 646614

Dr. Hystad, Associate Dean of Research at Oregon State University, researches how factors like air pollution, noise, traffic, and the built environment influence our well‐being and how communities can build resilience in a changing climate.

Everyone is welcome—whether you’re simply curious or active in your neighborhood. Spread the word!

🎉 👏 We’re celebrating UC Davis researcher Clare Cannon, Ph.D. who’s our 2025 Environmental Health Science Scholar!

Clare studies how environmental risks, disasters, and unequal access to care affect health — especially in communities that face the greatest burdens.

This award gives her mentoring, funding, and resources to expand that work and help create healthier, more resilient communities.

Congratulations, Clare, on this well-deserved recognition!