Daniel Rainham

Elizabeth May Chair in Sustainability and Environmental Health
Environmental Science Program 

  

Education 

1998, BES (Environmental Studies (Honours) University of Waterloo

2000, MSc (Earth and Atmospheric Science) University of Alberta

2009, PhD (Population Health) University of Ottawa
Publications: Numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and government reports

Current Funding from: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II Research Foundation

Academic Appointments Joint appointment with College of Sustainability Cross-appointments with: Community Health and Epidemiology, Earth Science, Health and Human Performance, School of Planning, School for Resource and Environmental Studies

Membership: Member, Canadian and Nova Scotia Public Health Associations Member, American Association of Geographers Member, International Association for Ecology and Health Committee Member, Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences (Environmental Studies)

Manuscript Reviewer: Climatic Research, Environmental Research, European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Health and Place, International Journal of Health Geographics, International Journal of Biometeorology, Journal of Climatology, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Public Health Reports, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health A

Websites:

Elizabeth May Chair in Sustainability and Environmental Health: http://emaychair.dal.ca/
Health Geomatics Laboratory: http://hgl.science.dal.ca/

Email: Dr. Daniel Rainham (daniel.rainham@dal.ca)

Dr. Rainham's research interests focus on environmental patterns and changes as determinants of human health. His research aims to understand how these patterns are created, how they vary in space and time, and how they are changing, particularly in the context of environmental sustainability. He also has an active interest in the development and deployment of geospatial technology in support of epidemiological inquiry, in particular with respect to exposure assessment, place and health, and environmental correlates of health.

The Inseparability of People and the Environment Our knowledge of the unexpected consequences associated with the widespread use of harmful chemicals and toxins has improved significantly since the first warnings of Rachel Carson in 1962. Despite this knowledge we continue to pour toxins and other harmful substances into the water we drink, the air we breathe and the soil from where we grow our food.

Through his research, Rainham hopes to tell the story of how humans and other species are exposed to environmental contaminants and how these exposures lead to harmful health effects. The miniaturization of technologies for measuring environmental contaminants, and for predicting human movement allow for the development of accurate human exposure models. Linking environmental epidemiology with geographic information systems and global positioning systems helps him to study how the quality of the environment can affect health status.

Dr. Rainham hopes that his work will help decision makers account for the human health implications of environmental degradation. A healthy environment will help to ensure a healthy life for all people as well as good health for generations to come.