photo: joshbousel

April 2-3 at the American Museum of Natural History:

EXPLORING THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Milstein Science Symposium
Presented by the American Museum of Natural History’s
Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics
New York City, New York, USA
April 2 and 3, 2009
http://cbc.amnh.org/health/

Health and the environment are deeply intertwined for populations, species, and ecosystems, as well as for human lives and livelihoods. Human endeavors in agriculture, energy and food production, transportation, and infrastructure development can have far-reaching and significant impact on the health of all species. Understanding these relationships is increasingly critical in the context of our changing world and the accelerating loss of biodiversity.

This two-day conference will present a diversity of viewpoints and experiences spanning the natural, medical, and social sciences, as well as policy planning. Presenters will discuss knowledge/data gaps and the limitations of current approaches, and examine innovative methods that move beyond speculation to a grounded understanding of impacts and realistic solutions. Particular emphasis will be placed on consideration of multiple and interacting stressors and decision making for maximizing benefits to both health and the environment.

CALL FOR POSTERS
A limited number of posters will be accepted for presentation during the Symposium.
Posters that address any aspect of the relationship between health and the environment will be considered. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Links between the health of plants, wildlife, domestic animals, and/or humans
- Anthropogenic drivers of disease emergence
- Environmental change and disease ecology
- Environmental change and pathogen evolution
- Pathogen discovery in natural reservoirs
- Ecology of host-pathogen interactions
- Climate change and health
- Health-related ecosystem functions and services
- Environmental sustainability and health
- Health and biodiversity conservation
- Capacity building in environment and health

Poster Abstract Submission DEADLINE: January 30
Members of a Poster Selection Committee will determine which abstracts are to be accepted based on their relevance and general level of interest. Please Note: The American Museum is unable to provide financial support to poster presenters for travel or accommodation.

Details available at: http://cbc.amnh.org/health/ (including a list of confirmed speakers)
Or send an email to: cbcsymposium@amnh.org

Special Student Pricing and Early-Registration Discounts Through February 13
Students $30
AMNH Members $120
General Admission $130

FREE Evening Program
Thursday, April 2, 7 pm
“It Takes a Planet: Connecting the Health of People and Nature”
http://cbc.amnh.org/center/programs/upcoming.html#2

“Exploring the Dynamic Relationship Between Health and the Environment” is proudly sponsored by the Paul and Irma Milstein Family, by a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of the United States Department of Defense (DARPA), and by the Mack Lipkin Man and Nature Series.

We hope that you will join us here at the Museum on April 2 and 3!