Post-Event Recap: CEET 20th Annual Symposium
CEET proudly marked its Twentieth Annual Symposium—celebrating two decades of impactful research, collaboration, and leadership in environmental health sciences.
This milestone event brought together a vibrant community of leading scientists, dedicated community partners, alumni, and emerging scholars. The symposium served not only as a celebration of CEET’s achievements but also as a platform to inspire new ideas and future collaborations.
The day featured a dynamic and engaging program, beginning with presentations that showcased CEET’s impactful community-engaged research and the partnerships that have driven progress over the past 20 years. An alumni panel highlighted diverse career pathways in environmental health sciences, offering valuable insights and inspiration for trainees and early-career researchers.
The symposium also featured a poster session where trainees shared their innovative research, reflecting the depth and breadth of work within the CEET community. A keynote address by Dr. Leonardo Trasande, “The Plastic Paradox: Implications for Chronic Disease, and What We Can Do About It,” provided a thought-provoking examination of pressing environmental health challenges and actionable solutions.
Additional sessions explored emerging scientific approaches and perspectives from CEET Thematic Area Leaders, emphasizing forward-looking directions in the field. The day concluded with a networking reception, giving attendees the opportunity to reconnect, celebrate shared accomplishments, and continue building momentum for the future.
A highlight of the symposium was the recognition of two distinguished members of the CEET community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ian A. Blair, PhD recipient of the Founding Member Award, and to Maurice M. Sampson II, recipient of the Outstanding Community Partner Award. Their leadership and dedication have played an integral role in shaping the Center’s success.
As CEET looks ahead, the symposium underscored the strength of its community and its ongoing commitment to advancing environmental health through research, education, and collaboration.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and our partners across the University of Pennsylvania—including the Perelman School of Medicine, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, the Abramson Cancer Center, and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics—for their enduring support and commitment.