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Atmospheric Science ✖️ Public Health

Our research focuses on three interconnected themes: (1) applying satellite remote sensing to understand air pollution and extreme weather; (2) developing advanced environmental exposure models to capture their spatiotemporal variations; and (3) assessing health outcomes related to these exposures. Our work has been successful in publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and attracting extramural funding.

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Interdisciplinary research themes

In conclusion, we aim to better understand the impact of air pollution and extreme weather with a focus on vulnerable populations, minority communities, and low and middle-income countries. Our projects are interdisciplinary in scope because collaborations with atmospheric scientists, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, clinical doctors, and community leaders are essential to their success. We hope to contribute new knowledge about the adverse impacts of environmental exposures to support decision-making and improve public health.

Background of the group leader

Dr. Hang earned her BS in Atmospheric Science (AS) from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (renamed from Nanjing Institute of Meteorology), one of the top AS universities in the world (1,2). She completed her graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, renowned as the birthplace of satellite meteorology (3), where she gained expertise in modern satellite remote sensing, radar and LiDAR systems, and interdisciplinary research. She holds an MS in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, a PhD in Environment and Resources, and a Graduate Certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy. Additionally, she was selected by NASA for satellite observations and climate model training at the California Institute of Technology and received support from NSF for education in sustainable climate risk management at Pennsylvania State University.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Dr. Hang was determined to apply AS approaches to address public health (PH) challenges. She was selected by Emory University as the first Climate and Health Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Rollins School of Public Health, one of the top PH schools in the US (4). Since then, her research has expanded beyond climate science to encompass environmental health. During her postdoc, she received the first-ever NASA Applied Sciences Equity and Environmental Justice Grant as a sole PI. After completing all these professional preparations, Dr. Hang joined the prestigious School of Public Health at the University of Texas, which is located in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center on planet Earth (5, 6).  

References

1. 2023 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Atmospheric Science: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2023/RS0108

2. 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities for Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/meteorology-atmospheric-sciences

3. Verner Suomi, the Father of Satellite Meteorology: https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/celebrating-verner-suomi-the-father-of-satellite-meteorology

4. 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Public Health Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/public-health-rankings

5. Quick facts: UTHealth School of Public Health: https://sph.uth.edu/about/facts

6. About Texas Medical Center: https://www.tmc.edu/about-tmc/

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