Join us for a critical conversation on the growing public health challenge of wildfire smoke.

This full-day symposium brings together researchers, public health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to address the health impacts of wildfire smoke and develop collaborative solutions for protecting vulnerable populations

Registration is now open!

Spaces are limited — be sure to register by April 22.

About the Symposium

Wildfire smoke has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental health challenges of our time, affecting millions across North America annually. This symposium will explore cutting-edge research on health impacts, examine effective mitigation strategies, and foster partnerships to protect public health.

Who Should Attend:

Public health professionals and researchers
Environmental health practitioners
Emergency management officials
Community health workers
Healthcare providers
Policy makers and advocates
Graduate students in related fields

Topics Include:

Impact on air quality and health
Wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires
Respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive outcomes
Effect of wildfires on human populations
Impact of wildfire-emitted carbonaceous aerosols on climate
Community resilience and postfire hazards
Novel technologies for detection, prevention, and intervention
Opportunities for NIH-funded research and cross-institutional collaboration

Key Information

Date & Time
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Format
Online or in person

📍 Location
Rutgers Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering
500 Bartholomew Rd
Piscataway, NJ 08854
View on Google Maps
Parking information will be provided upon registration

Registration
Free admission | Lunch and refreshments provided
Registration deadline: April 22nd, 2026

Members of the organizing committee

Philip Demokritou (Rutgers School of Public Health, NAMC Director)
José G. Cedeño-Laurent (Rutgers School of Public Health)
Reynold Panettieri Jr. (Rutgers Medical School, NJ ACTS Director)
Yohannes Tesfaigzi (Harvard Medical School)
Shuo Xiao (Rutgers School of Pharmacy)
Christa Wright (ULRI Chemical Insights Research Institute)
Mark Wilson (ULRI Chemical Insights Research Institute)

Sponsors

: Our speaker lineup includes leading experts in wildfire smoke research, public health practice, and environmental policy.

Opening remarks by: Michael Zwick (VP of Research Rutgers) | Alberto Cuitiño (Dean, Rutgers School of Engineering) | Perry Halkitis (Dean, Rutgers School of Public Health) | Gustavo Matute-Bello (NIH-NHLBI) | Helmut Zarbl (Director Rutgers EOHSI)

Keynote speakers: Kyle Walsh (NIH-NIEHS) | Jonathan Samet (UC Boulder)

Oral sessions: Alan Robock (Rutgers) | Alexandra Noel (LSU) | Alika Maunakea (University of Hawaii) | Alison Lee (Mount Sinai) | Amy Padula (UCSF) | Audrey Gastkins (Emory U) | Diana Hamer (National Network of Public Health Institutes) | Erik Svenson (CDC) | George Kelesidis (Delft University) | Jason White (Yale) | Jim Zhang (Duke University) | | Joseph A. Jude (Rutgers Health) | Kai Chen (Yale) | | Mohammad Baalousha (USC) | Nora Savage (NSF) | Robert Laumbach (Rutgers SPH) | Ruben Juarez (University of Hawaii) | Shuo Xiao (Rutgers Health) | Sotiris Pratsinis (ETH) | Sri Nadadur (NIEHS) | Rawad Saleh (U. Georgia)

Panelists:Michel Boufandel (NJIT) | Erik Svendsen (CDC) | Nora Savage (NSF) | Christa Wright (ULRI CIRI) | Sri Nadadur (NIH-NIEHS) | Mark Wilson (ULRI CIRI) | Jason White (Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station) | Robert Laumbach (Rutgers SPH)
: 8:00 – 8:30 AM Registration

8:30 – 9:15 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:15 – 9:30 AM Welcome by NIEHS Director: Kyle Walsh

9:30 – 10:00 AM Keynote Address: Jonathan Samet (University of Colorado)

10:00 AM – 11:25 AM Theme Session 1: Epidemiologic and Population Studies

11:25 – 11:40 AM Poster Flash Talks

11:40 AM – 12:35 PM Theme Session 2: Air Pollution Modelling

12:35 – 13:35 Lunch
: 13:35 – 15:00 Theme Session 3: Mechanistic and Toxicological Studies

15:00 – 16:20 Theme Session 4: Exposure Assessment Studies

16:20 – 17:35 Theme Session 5: Impacts of Wildfire Emissions on Climate Change

17:35 – 18:00 Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks

Register Now

Space is limited to ensure meaningful interaction and networking opportunities. Registration includes:

Full day symposium access
Lunch and refreshments
Symposium materials
Networking opportunities
Continuing education credits (pending)

Accommodations
A list of nearby hotels will be provided to registered participants.

Accessibility
The Richard Weeks Hall Building is fully accessible. Please indicate any accessibility needs or dietary restrictions in your registration form.

1^st National Symposium on Wildfires and their Impact on the Environment and Health

May 6th, 2026

Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Rutgers Busch Campus Piscataway, NJ

Join us for a critical conversation on the growing public health challenge of wildfire smoke.

Registration is now open!

Spaces are limited — be sure to register by April 22.

About the Symposium

Key Information

Members of the organizing committee

Sponsors

Our speaker lineup includes leading experts in wildfire smoke research, public health practice, and environmental policy.

Register Now

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1st National Symposium on Wildfires and their Impact on the Environment and Health

May 6th, 2026

Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Rutgers Busch Campus Piscataway, NJ

Join us for a critical conversation on the growing public health challenge of wildfire smoke.

Registration is now open!

Spaces are limited — be sure to register by April 22.

About the Symposium

Key Information

Members of the organizing committee

Sponsors

Our speaker lineup includes leading experts in wildfire smoke research, public health practice, and environmental policy.

Register Now

1^st National Symposium on Wildfires and their Impact on the Environment and Health