UCLA Fielding School of Public Health researcher recognized by International Society of Exposure Science
Dr. Yuan Yao been recognized as a "2026 Young Investigator," in part because of her research into the impact on human health of the 2025 wildfires.
A UCLA Fielding School of Public Health scientist has been recognized for her work as an early career environmental health researcher, including studies into the aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires.
Dr. Yuan Yao, a postdoctoral researcher with a research group led by Dr. Yifang Zhu, professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, will receive the “2026 Young Investigator Meeting Award” from the International Society of Exposure Science, one of the leading global associations of scientists who study the connections between pollutant exposure and human health.
“My research focuses on the intersection of air pollution, climate change, and human health, and my aim as a scientist is translate factual evidence into practical solutions for people who need help, both here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Yao, who has worked at UCLA since 2022. “It is truly an honor to be recognized by the ISES and my peers for this work, which is intended to reduce health disparities, strengthen public health preparedness, and support equitable energy transitions.”
The award will be presented at the ISES’ annual conference, currently set for Oct. 4-8 in Vancouver, Canada, said Dr. Erin Haynes, ISES’ president and the Kurt W. Deuschle Professor of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health.
“These distinguished individuals represent the very best of our Society, demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, service, mentorship, and scientific excellence,” Haynes said in a statement. “Their contributions continue to advance the field of exposure science, strengthen our global community, and inspire the next generation of researchers and practitioners.”
Yao’s work at UCLA has included:
- Researching the impact of wildfire smoke on the health of Angelenos after the 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires, including peer-reviewed work that even after fires are extinguished, residents who return to their homes may remain at risk of exposure to known carcinogens because of smoke damage;
- Installation of an air quality monitoring network in West Los Angeles that provides free, 24/7, air quality measurements to the public;
- Studying the impact of electric vehicle fast charging stations on air quality, including peer-reviewed research that found pollutant concentrations were significantly higher closer to charging facilities than elsewhere in urban areas; and
- Supporting the UCLA Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study, a multi-year project to study the health impacts of the 2025-16 natural gas field blowout in Los Angeles County, which has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed findings related to premature births, maternal and child health, and emergency room visits, among others.
It is that level of scientific inquiry and dedication to discovering the real-world consequences of air pollution on human health that has made Yao an exemplary scholar, said Dr. Michael Jerrett, professor in the UCLA Felding School’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences and leader of several of the disaster-related projects where Yao has conducted research.
“On all these projects, Dr. Yao has tirelessly led the field monitoring for air pollution exposures, directed the analysis, and taken a leadership role – and she has been incredibly sensitive and kind, as well, dealing with the people involved, many of whom were disaster victims,” Jerrett said. “She cares deeply about the science, but also understands, inherently, how significant our work is when it comes to protecting the public in these sorts of emergencies, today and tomorrow - that is a huge part of UCLA Fielding’s mission, and it has been a pleasure to work with her.”
