The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $499,450 Project Grant under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to the University of Florida (UF) Division of Sponsored Research. The grant supports a Research Coordination Network (RCN) that aims to break down disciplinary barriers between geoscience and healthcare domains to develop better prediction and prevention frameworks for climate-driven health issues involving infectious pathogens and bioaerosols.
The RCN will engage geoscience and healthcare professionals nationwide to explore conceptual relationships between infectious agents, bioaerosols, and environmental transport processes. The goal is to establish feedback mechanisms and joint problem-solving approaches that can enhance healthcare delivery systems and public health responses to emerging infectious disease threats exacerbated by changing climatic conditions. The project runs from July 2024 to June 2027 and includes the development of a "Predict Prevent Data Exchange" technological platform to facilitate collaborative research and educational initiatives in this interdisciplinary area.