From November 1st to 4th, UGent, in collaboration with the University of California (UC), brought together American and European researchers in Ghent. The goal of the SPARK workshop was to develop new research ideas concerning the impact of climate change on our health. Participants worked on interdisciplinary proposals that have a chance of receiving international funding.
The workshop, an initiative of the University of California, gathered twenty researchers from ten UC campuses, including UC Davis, UC San Francisco, and UC Berkeley, along with twenty European researchers. Among the European participants were professors from UGent, such as Sara Willems and Lynn Vanhaecke, as well as researchers from VUB, UHasselt, UCL, and UAntwerpen.
The SPARK workshop focuses on the conceptual phase of research, where scientists refine ideas and shape international partnerships. Professor Sara Willems from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences emphasized the unique experience of intensive international collaboration and the new perspectives it offers for ambitious research projects addressing complex societal challenges.
The researchers addressed topics such as the interplay between climate and health, environmental exposure, health equity, and prevention. Climate change affects health in various ways, including heat stress, air quality, and the spread of diseases. Social and economic conditions play a role in who is exposed to risks and who has access to prevention and care.
Professor Lynn Vanhaecke from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine highlighted the importance of an interdisciplinary and international perspective on the subject. From her expertise in metabolomics and exposome research, SPARK offers an opportunity to develop new insights into how environmental exposures at a molecular level contribute to health risks and inequalities.
The choice of UGent as the host institution for this workshop underscores the trust in its expertise and international reputation. The university maintains close ties with UC and has extensive experience with international research programs such as Horizon Europe. Professor Ignace Lemahieu, UGent Director of Research, called the workshop an affirmation of UGent's strong international research position.
