1 Environmental Health Research Tom Jeavons School of Applied Sciences and Engineering

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3 Environmental Health Research Is the area of public health research that looks at environmental factors that influence health and disease – interdisciplinary studies Is the area of public health research that looks at environmental factors that influence health and disease – interdisciplinary studies The air environment is a particular focus of Applied Sciences - ranging from particulates and chemical emissions in outdoor air to bioaerosols in indoor air The air environment is a particular focus of Applied Sciences - ranging from particulates and chemical emissions in outdoor air to bioaerosols in indoor air

4 Area of Research Fungal aerosols in indoor air Fungal aerosols in indoor air Asthma and its relationship to indoor fungal exposure Asthma and its relationship to indoor fungal exposure

5 Current Research Who with? Epidemiological studies with Assoc. Prof. Michael Abramson, at Monash’s Dept. of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM) Epidemiological studies with Assoc. Prof. Michael Abramson, at Monash’s Dept. of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM) Fungal beta-glucan and bacterial endotoxin analysis with Dr. Jeroen Douwes, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, NZ Fungal beta-glucan and bacterial endotoxin analysis with Dr. Jeroen Douwes, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, NZ Personal nasal sampling with Assoc. Prof. Euan Tovey (Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney) Personal nasal sampling with Assoc. Prof. Euan Tovey (Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney)

6 What is happening now? Personal air sampling - nasal sampler trapping studies Personal air sampling - nasal sampler trapping studies Studies on the association between the presence of fungi in the nose, levels of fungal contamination of the bedroom environment, and asthma Studies on the association between the presence of fungi in the nose, levels of fungal contamination of the bedroom environment, and asthma Asthma intervention studies – effect of dehumidification/cleaning on asthma severity Asthma intervention studies – effect of dehumidification/cleaning on asthma severity

7 What’s ahead Personal exposure of cancer patients to fungi in the hospital and in the home environment Personal exposure of cancer patients to fungi in the hospital and in the home environment Other collaborations? Other collaborations?

8 Conservation Biology Research Dr. Wayne Sturrock School of Applied Sciences and Engineering

9 Area of Research Reproductive cycles of endangered species e.g. Squirrel glider Reproductive cycles of endangered species e.g. Squirrel glider Gene storage Gene storage Pharmacological techniques in the collection of reproductive material Pharmacological techniques in the collection of reproductive material

10 Current Research Who with? Collaborative research with Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development (MIRD) Collaborative research with Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development (MIRD) Pearcedale Conservation Park (Moonlight Sanctuary) Pearcedale Conservation Park (Moonlight Sanctuary)

11 What is happening now? Investigating the estrous cycles of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) Investigating the estrous cycles of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) Techniques on collecting semen samples from endangered species (eg. Black Rhino)….DANGEROUS WORK! Techniques on collecting semen samples from endangered species (eg. Black Rhino)….DANGEROUS WORK! Storage procedures of reproductive material (eg. testes, ovaries, embryos and cell lines [fibroblasts]) Storage procedures of reproductive material (eg. testes, ovaries, embryos and cell lines [fibroblasts])

12 The future To be able to understand the reproductive cycles of endangered animals and, To be able to understand the reproductive cycles of endangered animals and, By using IVF technology, increase their numbers to a point where they can be re-introduced back into their natural habitat By using IVF technology, increase their numbers to a point where they can be re-introduced back into their natural habitat

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