BIO:
Dr. Gabriel Filippelli is a Professor of Earth Sciences and Director of the Center for Urban Health at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in Indiana where he studies the broad area of biogeochemical cycling in the environment. His work includes research and comparative analysis of past climate change impacts on terrestrial and marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on how these systems respond to rapid climate change as a window into how coupled earth/human systems will respond to current and future climate change. Dr. Filippelli is also engaged with a host of public health related research projects, including assessing exposure and uptake pathways for harmful heavy metals to children in urban settings. He spent the 2013-14 academic year in Washington, D.C. working on science policy issues with the U.S. State Department as a part of the The Jefferson Science Fellowship Program, a competitive program that selects midcareer and senior scientists to work as science advisors on foreign policy issues and on matters related to the climate and the environment.
ECOLUNCH TALK:
Dr. Filippelli will give a talk at EcoLunch about his biogeochemistry research on urban health and environmental lead exposure. The special focus will be on how to energize citizen science for education and impact, particularly in communities burdened by environmental contamination issues. He will also discuss, the need to accelerate the integration of health and environmental data for the future health of cities.
DS421 TALK:
Dr. Filippelli will give a talk to DS421 on the role of science in policy at the international level based on his experiences at the U.S. State Department. He has served as a Senior Science Advisor in Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs in the Bureau of Oceans, International Environment & Science. He worked on issues related to marine pollution prevention, ocean resource governance, climate policy, and science cooperation in the Arctic. Dr. Filippelli was also part of the Urban Health working group at the Department of State. He worked extensively with various US governmental agencies, including NOAA, the Department of Treasury, the USDA, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. He also worked closely with the UN Environment Program, the Arctic Council, and several Embassies, representing his office and working toward enhancing communication and using science to inform policy.