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Close to 160 people gathered at the 10th annual Research Day Symposium on April 5 to network and learn about student research in environmental and occupational health. This year’s theme was “Leaving a Legacy,” in celebration of 10 years of the symposium and 10 years of the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH). 

ColoradoSPH Dean Jonathan Samet set the tone with his keynote address. He shared an overview of his work in the field of environmental health, including addressing global pollution and tobacco use, and how he sees new researchers like those in the room charting the path forward. The take home message — doing quality research and using those findings to promote the health of people and the environment is more important now than ever. 

“As the new Dean of the Colorado School of Public Health,” said Jonathan Samet, MD, MS, “I am proud of our accomplishments in environmental and occupational health that are so critical for the state and nation.” 

The recipe for leaving a legacy of lasting, positive change is not precise. But this event made it clear that collaboration is a key ingredient. 

From the attendee list to the planning process — partnership was a common thread. ColoradoSPH’s Center for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE) and Department of Environmental and Occupational Health hosted the symposium in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Students, faculty, and staff from Colorado State University (CSU) and ColoradoSPH, as well as members of the community, attended. 

CHWE Director Dr. Lee Newman summed up the best part of the day as the reminder that his legacy, as well as that of the center and school, is inspiring the next generation. 

“These students are my legacy. I could not be prouder. The research they are conducting will help keep workers safer and healthier. In many cases, their efforts are already being put to good use by companies right here in Colorado and even nationally,” said Newman. 

Graduate and post-graduate students and other scientists beginning their careers in this field gave 28 poster presentations and seven platform presentations. Most of the presenters were students and medical residents from CHWE’s training arm, the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center. The MAP ERC is supported by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety and funds the education of trainees in five occupational health and safety programs based at CSU and ColoradoSPH. The center also supports interdisciplinary learning through shared academic, social, and field experiences for trainees, including Research Day. 

Presentation topics ranged from safety in the brewing industry to the effect of oil and gas development on health. The event also featured seven, five-minute “ignite” presentations on a mix of research findings and professional advice on leadership and communication skills. Nine individuals received awards for their presentations. 

The winner of the Outstanding Platform Presentation Award was: 

Eero Dinkeloo, Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, “Exacerbation of Atrial Fibrillation and Oil and Gas Development” 

The winners of the Outstanding Poster Presentation Award were: 

• Colleen Brents, Ergonomics and Safety, Colorado State University, “Brewery Worker Motion during Keg Handling” 
• Scott Braley, Health Physics, Colorado State University, “Net Risk in Evacuation and Reoccupation Decision Making”
• Madison Hanscom, Occupational Health Psychology, Colorado State University, “Perceptions of Age and Occupational Safety: Can Generational Labels Play a Role?”
• Jared Khattak, Industrial Hygiene, Colorado State University, “A Comparison of NIOSH 7402 and the Tsai Diffusion Sampler for Collecting and Analyzing Carbon Nanotubes” 
• Courtney Nowrocki, Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, “Measuring and Understanding Sources of Fecal Contamination in Hotspots for the Carcinogenic Liver Fluke Opisthorchis Viverrini”
• Brandon Penix, Occupational Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health, “A DOT Focused Educational and Biometric Screening Program and CDL Outcomes in a Metropolitan Public Works Department: A Quality Improvement Study”
• Eric Smith, Occupational Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health, “A DOT Focused Educational and Biometric Screening Program and CDL Outcomes in a Metropolitan Public Works Department: A Quality Improvement Study” 
• Ashely Stumpf, Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, “Automated Wireless Hearing Testing Administered to Patients in Outpatient Cancer Treatment Centers”

The next Research Day Symposium will be held on April 4, 2019 at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, CO. More information about the event   

Story by Avery Artman, communications and media coordinator at the Center for Health, Work & Environment.