What inspired your interest in Planetary Health?

My journey into Planetary Health stems from my dual identity as a registered nurse and environmental health researcher. While working in oncology wards in Pakistan, I witnessed how climate-exacerbated exposures—like heat stress and microplastic pollution—directly harm patient health. This inspired me to pursue a Master of Health Science at Johns Hopkins, where I explored the intersection of climate change, public health, and health equity. From working on exposome precision medicine dashboard for LMICs to leading a WASH project in Sierra Leone, I’ve centered community voices, especially women and children, in climate-health solutions. As part of the inaugural cohort of Emerging Leaders in Planetary Health and Human Security with PSR, I continue to advocate for climate-resilient health systems, sustainable hospitals, and nursing-led preparedness frameworks. Planetary Health is not just a field—it’s a call to action for preventive, justice-centered, and system-transforming care.

Tell us about your Planetary Health work at JHU

As a recent graduate of the Master of Health Science program in Environmental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, my work centered on advancing justice-driven Planetary Health solutions. My capstone, Invisible Threats, investigated the intersection of microplastic pollution, climate change, and pediatric asthma in urban environments—integrating climate data, equity indicators, and public policy. At JHU, I contributed to multiple research initiatives: from developing an exposome-based digital health tool for precision medicine in LMICs to evaluating chemical exposures in the BREATH asthma project. I also led a WASH intervention design for Tasso Island, Sierra Leone, addressing water and sanitation inequities. As part of the Emerging Leaders in Planetary Health and Human Security program, I engaged with cross-sector experts to amplify climate-health advocacy. My work bridges environmental science, public health, and community-centered innovation—advancing the core mission of Planetary Health: to safeguard human health by healing the planet.

What excites you about the future of Planetary Health?

What excites me most about the future of Planetary Health is the rising recognition that healing the planet is inseparable from healing people—especially the most vulnerable. For too long, disciplines have worked in silos, but Planetary Health demands bold, transdisciplinary collaboration. It invites nurses, scientists, policymakers, engineers, and activists to the same table to co-create solutions that are localized, equitable, and sustainable. I’m inspired by youth momentum, Indigenous leadership, and frontline workers who are not waiting for change—they are driving it. The next frontier is not just innovation, but compassion-led, justice-driven systems transformation. Whether it’s climate-resilient hospitals, WASH interventions, or integrating exposome science into care delivery, the future lies in solutions that uphold both ecological integrity and human dignity. My advice: root your work in empathy, elevate marginalized voices, and embrace solidarity. Planetary Health is not just a discipline—it’s a shared movement of hope and responsibility across generations and geographies.