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Call for Abstracts

 

Climate Change and Emerging Contaminants: Risks and Responses in Asia and Beyond

University at Buffalo (UB), State University of New York

April 9-10, 2026

 

The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, invites abstracts from scholars who work on climate change and/or environmental contaminants and their health impacts for a conference on April 9-10, 2026. Convening at the University at Buffalo in Western New York, the conference will present multidisciplinary perspectives on local and transregional climate and environmental challenges, and foster fruitful conversations that advance sustainable solutions in Asia and other vulnerable geographic regions.

 

Plenary speaker

• Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo, 14th Vice President of the Philippines (2016-2022); Mayor of Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines (elected 2025)

 

Other confirmed invited speakers

• Aimin Chen, Professor of Epidemiology and Vice Chair of Education, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania
• Francis De Los Reyes, Professor of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and Associate Faculty of Microbiology, NC State University
• Shane Snyder, José Domingo Pérez Foundation Chair and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Tech

 

Conference proceedings

April 9 (evening): keynote address; cultural performances by UB and Western New York-based community groups; reception.

 

April 10 (all day): continental breakfast; presentations from keynote speakers and other invited speakers; lunch; midday poster and networking session; contributed talks.

 

Please note: The conference will be in-person only. The conference is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend regardless of abstract submission or acceptance.

 

Abstract submission details

We invite submissions of abstracts for oral and poster presentations related to climate change and/or environmental contaminants and health challenges and solutions for Asia and other vulnerable geographic regions. A broad range of topics are welcome, including:

1. Occurrence, sources, and treatment of chemicals of emerging concerns (CECs);
2. Health impacts and intervention of CECs;
3. Multi-Omics approach in understanding the biological mechanisms of CECs;
4. AI application to address environmental contaminants and climate issues;
5. Water security in the age of tech; 
6. Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions for climate-related risks.

 

Researchers at various stages of career attainment, from graduate students to senior scholars, are welcome to submit abstracts. Because of the anticipated number of submissions and time constraints, some scholars who submit abstracts for oral presentations may be invited instead to give poster presentations.

 

Interested scholars should submit a brief abstract (200 words or less) of your paper or poster presentation. The deadline is Friday, December 12, 2025.

 

 

Cosponsors:

 

UB Asia Research Institute

UB RENEW (Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water) Institute

UB Office of Global Health Initiatives

 

Conveners

 

Nojin Kwak

Vice Provost for International Education

Professor of Communication

 

Diana Aga

SUNY Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemistry

Director, UB Research and Education in Energy, Environment, and Water (RENEW) Institute

 

Lina Mu

Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health

Director, Office of Global Health Initiatives

 

Should you have any questions, please contact:

 

Bruce Acker

Assistant Director, Asia Research Institute

backer@buffalo.edu

 

Lisa (Vahapoğlu) Lenker, PhD, JD

Education and Outreach Director, RENEW Institute

lisalenk@buffalo.edu

 

Jennifer Foster

Assistant Director, Office of Global Health Initiatives

fosterj@buffalo.edu