Upcoming Events

Tuesday, June 16th 12-1:30 p.m.

The Pollinator Patch

Open Lab, Hillman Library

Join us for a lunchtime design session!

Bring your creativity and design a quilt square for the Pitt Climate Change Quilt!  Using repurposed lab coats and scrubs, create a colorful quilt square celebrating pollinators and our shared commitment to a thriving planet.

RSVP here!

Wednesday, September 9th 3:00-5:30pm

Wild Connections: One Health, Planetary Health, and Sustainability

University Club Ballroom and Terrace

Join the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, the Office of Sustainability in the Health Sciences, and the School of Public Health for a keynote conversation with author, Andrew Moore, and a panel discussion exploring the connections between One Health, Planetary Health, and Sustainability.

Panelists:

• Melissa Bilec PhD (Moderator) – George M. and Eva M. Bevier Endowed Chair; Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Co-Director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
• Maurreen Lichtveld MD, MPH – Dean, School of Public Health; Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health; Jonas Salk Chair in Population Health
• Cori Richards-Zawachki PhD – Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Director, Pymatuning Lab of Ecology
• Noe Woods MD – Assistant Professor of OB/GY, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Chair of Clinicians for Climate Action

RSVP coming soon!

Past Events

2026

Friday, May 8th 12-1pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

• Presenter: Michelle Varnell, Departmwent of Sports Medicine and Nutrtion, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Topic: Environmental Impacts of Surgical vs. Conservative Care Pathways
• Articles:
  • Exploring the Efficacy of Conservative Management Versus Surgical Intervention in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries: Insights Into Reinjury Rates, Quality of Life, and Long-Term Outcomes
  • Environmental life cycle assessment of surgical versus conservative care pathways for an anterior cruciate ligament injury

Thurs, April 16th 6:45-7:45pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

• Presenter: Sydney Scanlon & Nirbhay Jain, School of Medicine
• Topic: Making a Green OR
• Article: Solid Waste and Associated Environmental Impact of WALANT Carpal Tunnel Release Performed Across Three Clinical Settings

Thurs, April 16th 3:00 – 4:00pm

Trees as Social Determinants of Health by Dr. Isabela Angelelli

144 Cathedral of Learning

Did you know that people who live in neighborhoods with more trees report significantly fewer health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, and have higher perceived health? Dr. Isabela Angelelli discusses the importance of trees to our health.

Fri, April 3rd 1:30-3:45pm

Health Sciences Sustainability Film Festival 

Fri, March 27th 12-1pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

• Presenter: Tyler Johnston & Aqsa Owais, Bioengineering
• Topic: Sustainable Laboratory Practices
• Article: Environmental impact, cost, and acceptability of a laboratory sustainability certification program for biomedical research in an academic medical center

Fri, March 26th 12-1pm

Ecosystem Services & The Health Effects of Urban Green Spaces

Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld, Humboldt University of Berlin

Dr. Hirschfeld has worked on numerous inter- and transdisciplinary projects on natural climate protection, nature-based adaptation to climate change, land and water use, and integrated coastal zone management, focusing primarily on economic aspects and ecological-economic assessments. In recent years, he has focused on urban ecosystem services provided by urban green spaces, parks, and gardens. 

Mon, March 2nd 7:00-8:00pm

Herb Seed Starting Workshop

Farmer Girl Eb showed participants how to start an herb garden.

Thurs, February 26th 4:30-5:30pm

Healthcare & Sustainability Panel Discussion

Join healthcare professionals bridging the gap between healthcare and sustainability in an interactive discussion about what lies ahead for the two fields. Climate change is the biggest threat to global health of the 21st century. If you’d like to learn more about these solutions and engage in meaningful conversations with qualified professionals, this is the event for you! 

Tues, February 24th 5:30-6:30pm

Spice & Health Workshop

Jayashree Iyengar, owner of Popping Mustard Seeds, discussed how different spices are used and Dr. Michelle Thompson discussed the importance of specific diets for health.

February 6th 12-1pm

Winter Seed Starting Workshop

Discover the benefits of winter sowing during this hands-on workshop. All supplies will be provided.

January 16th, 12-1pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

• Presenter: Nathan Schneider, PhD Student, Center for Neurosciences, School of Medicine
• Topic: The Human Health Effects of Noise Pollution

2025

November 7th, 12-1pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

• Presenters: Noel Do, Emma Nordin, and Ean Maxwell, School of Dental Medicine
• Paper: Combining evidence-based health care with environmental sustainability: using the toothbrush as a model

September 5th 12-1pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

• Presenter: Puja Dutta, School of Medicine, Physician Scientist Training Program
• Topic: Climate Change as a Social Determinant of Health
• Articles:
  •  The impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on the health of children: An ethical perspective
  • Impact of prior and projected climate change on US Lyme disease incidence

June 27th 4-6pm

Dark Sky Film & Panel Discussion

Dark skies are essential not only for preserving the natural beauty of the night but also for safeguarding the health of both humans and the planet. Excessive artificial light disrupts human circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disorders, increased stress, and a higher risk of chronic illnesses such as obesity and heart disease. For wildlife, light pollution interferes with natural behaviors like migration, reproduction, and feeding, threatening biodiversity. Moreover, dark skies help reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. Protecting our night skies is a simple yet powerful step toward a healthier, more sustainable world for all living beings.

The documentary, Defending the Dark, was played, followed by a panel of experts and lively discussion over appetizers and drinks. 

May 16th 12-1pm

Planetary Health Journal Club

Jenny Snyder, a student in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program, discussed Modern Diets and the Health of Our Planet: An Investigation into the Environmental Impacts of Food Choices.

April 25th 12-1pm

Beyond the Wellhead: How Fracking Threatens Our Health with Ned Ketyer, MD

 Ketyer is a consultant for the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project bringing attention to the health effects of shale gas development in the Marcellus Shale gas patch. He is also a board member of Physicians for Social Responsibility – Pennsylvania and a Climate Reality Project Leader.

In all these roles, Ketyer connects the vast petrochemical “cluster frack” underway in Southwest Pennsylvania with local and regional health effects and the global ecological and public health catastrophes resultiong from plastic pollution and climate change that threated our health and well-being.

April 11th

Trees as a Social Determinant of Health with Isabela Angelelli

Did you know that living in a tree-filled neighborhood is linked to better health? People in greener areas report fewer conditions like heart disease, diabetes and stroke, along with higher overall well-being. Join us for a talk on the key role trees play in social determinants of health. Isabela Angelelli, School of Medicine faculty member, explores the vital connection between trees and our health.

April 10th

Health Equity Effects of Air Pollution in Pittsburgh with Patrick Campbell, GASP

Patrick Campbell, Executive Director of Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), spoke to students, faculty, and staff about air pollution in Pittsburgh and it’s health effects.

April 1st-30th

Earth Month Activities

During Earth Month, Health Sciences students held recruiting events to spread information about getting involved in sustainability at Pitt.

March 28th

Planetary Health Journal Club

Becky King from SHRS discussed the environmental impact of AI and data-driven technologies in healthcare, focusing on their high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and ecological footprint. Strategies for balancing technological advancements with sustainability, including responsible AI governance and the adoption of sustainable computing practices were discussed.

February 13th

University Art Gallery: The intersection of land and human industry

The Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation and Clinicians for Climate Action hosted an event at the University Art Gallery to explore three exhibitions focused on the intersection of land and human industry. The exhibitions included Rewilding, Joe Magarac Returns, and Broken Ground.

January 31st

Planetary Health Journal Club

Ainsley Lederer, a PhD student in the School of Pharmacy, discussed the environmental impact of pharmaceutical compounds and the application of bioremediation for removing pharmaceutical waste. 

2024

November 15th

One Health Day

We hosted our first One Health Day on November 15th. The event included speaker William T. Mallon, senior director of strategy and innovation development at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), a Sustainable Healthcare Challenge, student poster competitions, and a heat demonstration.

November 1st

Planetary Health Journal Club

Abhimanyu Nangunoori presented on waste audits in healthcare.

September 5th

Planetary Health Journal Club

Nathalia Cano, PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering led a discussion about reducing plastic in health care.

May 10th

Planetary Health Journal Club

Monet Weldon, MS1 presented on Health Care Pollution & Public Health Damage in the U.S.

March 1st

Planetary Health Journal Club

Divya Natesan, Medical Student, presented on Health Hazards, Exposures, and Impacts of Climate Change Globally.