Protecting Health in a Changing Climate Webinar
Description
Climate change is one of the defining health challenges of our time. Join us for Protecting Health in a Changing Climate, a thought-provoking webinar exploring what a changing climate means for our health, our communities and the future of healthcare.
The webinar will bring together Associate Professor Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins and Dr Gongbo Chen to explore the latest evidence on climate-related health impacts, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations, maternal and child health, community resilience and the Asia-Pacific region.
The discussion will consider areas that can receive less attention in conversations about climate and health, including the impacts of climate change on pregnancy, early childhood and long-term health outcomes, as well as the increasing pressures climate-related events place on healthcare services.
What we'll explore
What the latest evidence tells us about the health impacts of a changing climate.
Climate-related health risks across the Asia-Pacific region, including impacts on vulnerable populations, maternal and child health, pregnancy and early childhood.
How climate-related hazards can affect access to healthcare, health outcomes and the delivery of health services.
Building climate-resilient healthcare systems and communities.
The role of health professionals in preparing for and responding to a changing climate.
How communities can adapt, build resilience and identify priorities for action.
Practical ways we can work together to protect health now and into the future.
An opportunity to connect and engage
The session will include interactive Poll Everywhere activities, providing an opportunity to test your knowledge, consider community priorities and explore perspectives on climate and health.
You can also submit a question when registering for the webinar. Selected questions will be grouped thematically and discussed during the live Q&A, with additional questions from the Zoom chat considered during the session.
Event Date | Thursday 3 December 2026 |
|---|---|
Time | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (AEST) |
Format | Online via Zoom |
Lineup
Associate Professor Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins
Associate Professor Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins is an interdisciplinary climate and health researcher whose work focuses on strengthening maternal and child health adaptation and resilience in the face of climate change. Her research examines how environmental, social and health system factors interact to shape health outcomes for pregnant women and young children, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and the continuity of healthcare during climate-related events. Her work spans climate change, health systems and digital health innovation, exploring how data and digital technologies can help anticipate disruptions to care, improve access to health services and support more effective preparedness and response strategies. She is also committed to embedding equity, gender responsiveness and environmental sustainability into health policy, healthcare delivery and digital health practices. Zerina founded the Maternal and Child Health Climate Adaptation and Resilience (MCH-CARE) Network, which brings together communities, health services, researchers and policymakers across Australia and the Asia-Pacific to address climate-related health risks for pregnant women and young children. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with government, universities and other organisations, she works to translate research into practical solutions that strengthen community resilience and support climate-resilient health systems. Her work also encompasses the responsible use of digital health technologies and the environmental sustainability of healthcare innovation. Alongside her research and collaborative partnerships, Zerina is committed to mentoring emerging climate and health researchers and advancing evidence-informed approaches to protecting health in a changing climate.
Dr Gongbo Chen
During his PhD at Monash University (2015-2018), Dr. Chen developed a cutting-edge method using satellite data and machine learning to predict air quality. He applied this method in numerous epidemiological studies, unraveling the health effects of air pollution. To enhance global collaborations and facilitate the adoption of this method, Dr. Chen strategically decided to go to China and join Sun Yat-sen University to expand his unit's collaboration and conducted extensive research there. During this period (2019-2023), he significantly broadened his collaborative network, including with researchers in Brazil, China, UK and US, published original research in top-tier journals, and secured three CIA grants. In 2023, Dr. Chen moved back to Australia to advance his career and rejoined the same unit at Monash University where he did his PhD. As a Research Fellow at the Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, Dr. Chen was awarded the Monash Early Career Postdoctoral Fellowship, NHMRC Centre for Safe Air Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, and subsequently ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA). He oversees key research projects, mentors PhD students, and leads the development and implementation of advanced air quality prediction models, focusing on evaluating the health effects of bushfire smoke and air pollution. Dr Chen's research achievements significantly surpass the typical expectations for EMCRs. Since 2017, He has published > 210 peer-reviewed papers, with 64 for which he was first/corresponding-author and 94% published in JCR Q1 journals, such as The Lancet, Lancet Planetary Health, JAMA Pediatrics, and Nature Communications. He is ranked among top 2% scientists worldwide 2020-2025 (Stanford/Elsevier), with 12,033 citations and an h-index of 60 (Google Scholar). Dr. Chen has secured 6 grants as CIA with nearly $1 million in funding and won the Monash FMNHS Dean's Award for Excellence in Research and the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award for Research.
Agenda
- 8:30 pm - 8:35 pm
Welcome | Acknowledgement of Country
- 8:35 pm - 9:15 pm
Keynote Presentation
- 9:15 pm - 9:30 pm
Q&A Discussion
Dr Gongbo Chen and Associate Professor Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins will answer a selection of pre-submitted questions.
- 9:30 pm
Webinar Wrap Up
FAQs
- How do I join the webinar?
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to access the webinar. On the day of the event, simply click the link a few minutes before the start time. Make sure your device has a stable internet connection, and your audio and video settings turned off.
For best experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop with the latest browser version.
- Can I ask questions during the webinar?
Upon registration, you’ll have the opportunity to submit questions in advance for the panel to address during the Q&A discussion. During the webinar, if time permits, you can also utilise the Zoom chat to ask additional questions, and we’ll do our best to respond.
- Will this webinar be recorded?
Yes. The webinar will be recorded, and a link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants after the event. This way, you can rewatch the session or catch up if you’re unable to attend live.
- Who should attend this webinar?
Whether you work in health, research, education, policy or community settings, or simply want to better understand what climate change means for our health and future, this webinar will provide an opportunity to learn, reflect and engage in the conversation.
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