UBC experts on heat
With temperatures set to rise across the province, the B.C. government has announced new measures to increase resiliency to heat events. UBC experts are available in the coming weeks to comment on heat-related topics.
Lualawi Mareshet Admasu (he/him)
PhD Student, Dept. of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Email: ladmasu@eoas.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Heatwaves, mechanisms and forecast
* Limited availability June 4-7
Dr. Michael Brauer
Professor, School of Population and Public Health
phone: 604-999-6838
Email: michael.brauer@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Health impacts of extreme heat
- Air pollution, air quality and health
- Preventive measures, climate adaptation, urban greenspace benefits
- Health of seniors
* Unavailable June 17-24
Dr. Chris Carlsten, MD, MPH
Professor and Head, UBC Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine
Tel: 604-839-1561
Email: christopher.carlsten@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Respiratory problems, health effects of heat waves, climate change
- Air pollution and air quality
Dr. Jay Carr
Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Heart, Lung & Vascular Health, UBC Okanagan
Email: j.carr@alumni.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health
- Neuronal control of breathing
Professor William Cheung (he/him)
Canada Research Chair (Tier II, Ocean Sustainability and Global Change), Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Tel: 778-837-7252
Email: w.cheung@oceans.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, Cantonese
Expertise:
- Oceans and fisheries
* Unavailable June 4-11 and 24 -28
Dr. Wendy Hall, RN, PhD
Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
phone: 604-822-7447
Email: wendy.hall@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Heat exposure and effects on sleep
- Ways to reduce body temperature, particularly when individuals do not have access to air conditioners or cross-ventilation
* Limited availability June 3-13
Dr. Monica Li, MD, FRCPC, FAAD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept. of Dermatology & Skin Science
Tel: 604-218-6761
Email: info@vancouverskinmd.com
Interview languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Expertise:
- Sun protection and sunscreen
- Impact of heat and wildfire smoke on skin and hair
- Practical tips to protect skin and hair from sun, heat and wildfire smoke
Dr. Harvey Lui
Professor, Dept. of Dermatology and Skin Science
Dr. Melissa McHale, PhD (she/her)
Associate Professor, Dept. of Forest Resources Management, Urban Forest Research Hub
Email: melissa.mchale@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Increased urban heating, urban heat island effect
- Climate-resilient communities, heat mitigation at human relevant scales, equity and heat
- Nature-based solutions for cooling, landscaping choices and heat, energy, and water consumption tradeoffs
* Available after June 7
Dr. Tara Moreau, PhD
Associate Director, UBC Botanical Garden
phone: 604-690-5375
Email: tara.moreau@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Tips for gardening in a drought, sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation and resilience in plants
* Unavailable after June 19
Dr. Lorien Nesbitt, PhD (she/her)
Assistant Professor, Department of Forest Resources Management
Email: lorien.nesbitt@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, Spanish
Expertise:
- Urban trees, nature-based solutions, environmental justice, community-based planning for climate change
Dr. Daniel Pauly, PhD (he/him)
Sea Around Us Principal Investigator and Professor, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
phone: 604-822-1201
Email: d.pauly@oceans.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, French, German
Expertise:
- Oceans and fisheries
- Climate change-induced fish kills
- Marine heatwaves
- Impacts of climate change on fish growth and reproduction
* Unavailable June 20-26, July 22-26
Dr. John Richardson, PhD (he/him)
Professor, Biodiversity Research Centre, Dept. of Forest and Conservation Sciences
Tel: 604-822-6586
Email: john.richardson@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Impacts on freshwater life and terrestrial wildlife and plants
- Impact on the evaporation of water from the land and reservoirs, lakes and streams
Dr. Michael Schwandt, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Population and Public Health
Tel: 604-875-4375
Email: michael.schwandt@vch.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Health impacts of wildfire smoke
- Community and personal actions for health protection
- Health equity considerations
Dr. Babak Mohamadpour Tosarkani (he/him)
Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, UBC Okanagan
Tel: 236-865-7531
Email: babak.tosarkani@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Emergency supply chain preparedness, disaster relief operations
