Seminar Series: Dr. Egide Kalisa
What’s in the Air You Breathe? Do-It-Yourself Approaches for a Healthier Future
Egide Kalisa
Assistant Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Short Biography:
Egide Kalisa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Before that, Dr. Kalisa was a Research Scientist in the Air Quality Division, Environment Canada and Climate Change and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Toronto. He obtained a Ph.D. in Health and Environmental Science from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand and an MSc in Air Pollution Management and Control from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Dr. Egide Kalisa is an environmental scientist specializing in air quality research and the intersection of transport emissions, climate change, and public health. Dr. Egide Kalisa has conducted research globally across various countries, including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and several African countries.
Dr. Kalisa is the founder of HumekaNeza (Breathe Easy), a program empowering schoolchildren to reduce air pollution and address air quality in schools in Africa. Dr. Kalisa received several awards, including the 2024 Voice for Science Communication by the American Geophysical Union, the 2023 Most Accomplished Researcher Award" by the National Council for Science and Technology and the 2021 Emerging Global Leader Award by the NIH, USA, acknowledging his exceptional research contribution to addressing critical societal challenges in Africa.
Abstract:
Breathing clean air is a fundamental human right—but do you know what’s really in the air you breathe? Air pollution, the largest cause of premature human mortality worldwide, is a global issue that knows no borders. Its complex mixture of toxic chemical and biological components can travel long distances, affecting regions far from their source. There has been relatively little research to address the composition of air pollution in the global atmosphere and how those mixtures affect vulnerable populations such as schoolchildren.
In my talk, I will explore the "DNA" of air—its chemical and biological composition—through research spanning the Global North and South. I will also explore how the place you live and work influences your health, particularly through the lens of air pollution and environmental factors. I will discuss how a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and citizen science approach can empower schoolchildren and communities to track pollution and implement practical solutions. I will conclude the presentation by highlighting the recipes for healthier cities and how schools can adopt low-cost interventions to improve air quality and public health.
Date: Friday, November 22
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine)
