International partnership aims to turn environmental research into health solutions

Joseph Steensma, EdD, MPH, MA, the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Professor and the director of public health entrepreneurship at the Bursky School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, traveled to Sarawak, Malaysia, in October to advance international partnerships to translate environmental research into practical solutions that benefit public health. 

The visit was part of Steensma's work representing WashU in its role as vice-chair for research of the UNAI SDG 15 Hub, an international academic initiative focused on the United Nations' sustainable development goal 15, Life on Land. The hub aims to advance research, education and practical action related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable terrestrial ecosystems. WashU co-leads the hub with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Macquarie University in Australia. WashU's participation in the hub is supported by Jen Mandeville, MS, a member of Bursky Public Health's Office of Innovation who specializes in planetary health.

During the trip, Steensma attended the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS26) where he discussed how digital technologies, research and environmental data can support climate action. He also facilitated conversations about practical applications of artificial intelligence, environmental monitoring and other technologies in public health.

At Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Steensma gave two guest lectures to science and engineering students on the importance of integrating ecological and public health considerations into engineering and technological innovation. He also met with representatives of the university's Centre for Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation & Economy to learn about emerging technologies and discuss collaboration opportunities.

Steensma closed out the trip by co-hosting a webinar examining how nature-positive urban development can strengthen climate resilience, improve human wellbeing and generate economic benefits. The webinar attracted 72 participants from the United States, Malaysia and Australia.