Using Epidemiology to Investigate Environmental Contamination

Environmental contamination can present major epidemiological challenges, particularly when relevant exposures occurred many years or even decades earlier. In this seminar, Professor Kirk will use PFAS and asbestos as case studies to explore how epidemiological methods can be used to investigate historical environmental exposures and their potential health impacts.

Professor Martyn Kirk is Head of the Department of Applied Epidemiology at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University. His research focuses on infectious diseases and environmental health threats, including human health risks associated with contaminated food, water, and environmental exposures. Before joining ANU in 2011, he worked for more than 20 years in State, Territory and federal health departments. He is Director of the Australian Field Epidemiology Training Program and previously served as Coordinating Epidemiologist for OzFoodNet. His environmental health research includes major epidemiological studies of PFAS contamination and asbestos exposure.