Exposure to intense wildfire smoke during pregnancy may be linked to increased likelihood of autism

UCLA and UC Davis researchers found the strongest associations on very smoky days and in areas with cleaner air overall.

February 5, 2026

Associated Press | "Study ties particle pollution from wildfire smoke to 24,100 US deaths per year"

The Associated Press interviewed Dr. Michael Jerrett, professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, about research that links wildfire smoke exposure to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States.

February 2, 2026

How the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health faced the challenge of the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires

UCLA Fielding faculty, staff, and students have led the way to understanding the public health impact of the blazes, supporting recovery, and working to prevent future disasters.

January 28, 2026

Professor Yifang Zhu will deliver the 51st Lester Breslow Distinguished Lecture

January 27, 2026

KPCC-FM | "Pali High students return; despite testing, concern over fire toxins lingers"

KPCC-FM (LAIst/The Brief) quoted Dr. Yifang Zhu, professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, about her volunteer work supporting the re-opening of Palisades High School in Los Angeles after the 2025 wildfires.

January 23, 2026

The Atlantic | "The dangers that scientists found inside L.A.’s smoky homes"

Dr. David Eisenman, with the Department of Community Health Sciences, and Dr. Yifang Zhu, with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, were interviewed by The Atlantic about their research into the health impacts of the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires.

January 23, 2026

NPR | "Tracking the toxic fallout of the LA fires"

Dr. Yifang Zhu, professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, was interviewed for NPR's Science Friday about her research into the aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires.

January 22, 2026

Los Angeles Times | "A pesticide that has been banned for a decade is still showing up in Long Beach"

UCLA Fielding's Dr. Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times about her research into the use of the pesticide methyl bromide in California, including the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

January 16, 2026

How can we chart a safer path forward in the wake of the historic LA fires?

UCLA hosted the inaugural LA Fire Research Conference to answer that question — convening researchers from across the U.S., agencies, and survivors.

January 14, 2026

NPR | "The long-term health impacts from the LA wildfires are just becoming clear"

UCLA Fielding's Dr. David Eisenman and Dr. Yifang Zhu were interviewed by NPR about their work studying the public health impacts of the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires. Both are lead researchers for the LA Fire HEALTH Consortium, a decade-long study of the blazes; UCLA hosted the effort's inaugural research conference Jan. 14, 2026.

University of California researchers find that pesticide recommended for phase out in 2005 is still in widespread use across state

January 14, 2026

Methyl bromide remains in use in 36 of 58 California counties, and in both urban and rural areas

In a new study of the continuing use in California of the pesticide methyl bromide, researchers from UCLA and UC Irvine found the compound is still in widespread use across the state, from San Diego and Los Angeles counties north through the Central Valley.

January 11, 2026

The Washington Post | "The L.A. fires gave us an unprecedented look at the danger of urban blazes"

The Washington Post interviewed UCLA Fielding's Dr. Yifang Zhu about her research that found carcinogens in homes left standing by the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires due to smoke contamination.