The Honors College at the University of Utah is excited to announce the 2025–26 Praxis Lab: Environmental Exposure & Health: Analyzing Estimates through Artificial Intelligence

This Praxis Lab uses Salt Lake City as an exemplar and case study in focusing on the intersections of environment, health, and advances in research methodology and data collection. 

Environmental exposure, both air quality and extreme temperatures, is becoming increasingly important as research identifies their negative health impacts. Understanding the patterns of exposure is critical to better inform these impacts, examine environmental disparities, and advise vulnerable populations of potential risk.

The Challenge of  AI Environmental Data

There has been a recent growth in monitoring approaches for environmental exposure that include ground-based stations, satellite data, and modeling. However, the large amount of data available, coupled with their variable spatial and temporal distribution and changing conditions, poses a unique challenge to their thorough and accurate analysis. Recent growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods offers potential solutions to a) integrate these data, b) develop robust forecasting tools, and c) effectively communicate the results. 

Salt Lake City as a Living Lab

In this year’s PRAXIS lab, we will learn about artificial intelligence techniques to analyze the data set in novel ways to more precisely and quickly understand patterns and potential areas of risk. Salt Lake County offers an ideal testbed for these methods: a unique observation platform has been developed over the past decade which includes reliable, research-grade air pollutant and meteorological sensors mounted on light rail train cars and electric buses that have collected millions of data points for over a decade. This data complements the network of stationary regulatory and research-grade sensors managed by the Utah Division of Air Quality and the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah, respectively. Taken together, this provides a more nuanced view of local hotspots of exposure and potential areas of concern for public health.

What You’ll Explore

In this Praxis Lab, students will:

• Review the impacts of environmental exposure
• Discuss how this is monitored and associated data issues
• Introduce AI methodologies
• Use hands-on exercises to produce an improved understanding of individual exposures
• Invite guest speakers to discuss the implications of improved exposure estimates on health and policy as well as
• Develop strategies for contextualizing and effectively communicating the findings. 

Meet the Faculty

• Dr. Daniel Mendoza—Research Associate Professor, Atmospheric Sciences

• Dr. Simon Brewer—Associate Professor, Environment, Society, & Sustainability

Course Meeting Time: Thursdays, 5:15–8:15 p.m.

This Praxis Lab is an incredible opportunity for Honors students interested in data science, health equity, environmental policy, or just making a tangible impact in their community. Space is limited—register today!

Questions? Contact Dominic Pecoraro.