Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series:

“Using GIS and Satellite Data to Study Climate, Environment and Social Determinants of Health” by Kevin Lane, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health at Boston University School of Public Health, Interim Director of Environmental Health Doctoral Program, and Chief Data Officer – Center for Climate Health.

Place can have a profound impact on our health. Where we are born, grow, learn, work and play can shape our health and wellbeing in many different ways. Interdisciplinary work and advancements in geospatial sciences, satellites and big data approaches have resulted in new insights into the combined impacts of residential exposure to climate, environmental and social determinants of health (CESDOH) can have on our health. This presentation will provide a foundation on the importance of GIS in CESDOH research.

Dr. Lane’s research team focuses on the intersection of air pollution, built environment, urbanization and impacts of climate change on health in local, national, and international settings. His expertise in big-data and spatial research has led to the development of novel methods that integrate geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing data and time-activity algorithms to improve exposure assessment for health studies. Currently, Dr. Lane is principal investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration ASCENT Project 18 Community Measurements of Aviation Emissions Contribution to Ambient Air Quality. He also leads the data core for the NIH CAFÉ Research Coordinating center and is the chief data officer for the BUSPH Center for Climate Health supporting research on climate change health impacts for researchers across the globe.