UNE becomes a member of the Planetary Health Alliance

UNE Planetary Health Steering Committee members Charles Tilburg, Zach Miller-Hope, Hywda Arafat and Collyn Baeder
UNE Planetary Health Steering Committee members Charles Tilburg, Zach Miller-Hope, Hywda Arafat and Collyn Baeder

The University of New England has become a member of the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA), a consortium of more than 70 universities, NGOs and other partners with a shared mission — supporting the growth of a rigorous, policy-focused, transdisciplinary field of applied research aimed at understanding and addressing the human health implications of accelerating anthropogenic change in Earth’s natural systems. The organization focuses its efforts on three areas: education, research and policy.

UNE became involved because the PHA’s mission aligns with the global and innovative mission of the university. Interested faculty and staff from UNE have formed a University Planetary Health Steering Committee, which represents a variety of academic disciplines from across the university:

  • Pam Morgan, Ph.D. (Environmental Studies)
  • Jen Gunderman-King, M.P.H. (Public Health)
  • Charles Tilburg, Ph.D. (College of Arts and Sciences associate dean, Marine Science)
  • Hywda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D., MMEL (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
  • Collyn Baeder, M.P.H. (Health, Wellness and Occupational Studies)
  • Zach Miller-Hope, M.S. (Aquaculture/Biology)
  • Alethea Cariddi, M.S.Ed. (Sustainability)
  • Holly Parker, M.Ed. (Office of Strategic Initiatives)
  • Bethany Woodworth, Ph.D. (Environmental Studies)

The committee will explore how UNE can contribute to the field of planetary health and how planetary health concepts can be more fully integrated into the curriculum and student learning experience.

To learn more about the Planetary Health Alliance, visit: www.une.edu/sustainability/planetary-health 

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.