The Planetary Health Center of Expertise (PHCOE), part of the UC Global Health Institute, addresses complex global issues that arise from the effects of climate change, rapidly growing populations and limited food and natural resources.
The PHCOE draws on the resources of all ten UC campuses and two national laboratories. Through collaborative research, community engagement, and local and international partnerships, we seek to identify new ways that humans and animal populations can foster resilience in the face of changing environments.
The mission of the Center is to lead the world in science, education, outreach, and transformative solutions to health-environment challenges.
Education is also a significant focus. PHCOE offers a Summer Field Experience Fellowship Program, a summer graduate fellowship with the California Department of Conservation, a Student Ambassador Program and an International Student Ambassador Program. The Rx One Health summer course in East Africa and the UCGHI GloCal Health Fellowship are also opportunities to conduct research, sharpen problem-solving skills to implement critical change, strengthen professional networks and explore careers in planetary and global health.
The PHCOE is co-led by Woutrina Smith, professor of epidemiology and associate director at the UC Davis One Health Institute, and David Lopez-Carr, professor of geography and director at the UC Santa Barbara Human-Environment Dynamics Lab.
Visit the UCGHI Planetary Health Center of Expertise website for more information.