AOSC Seminar by Dr. Joseph L Wilkins, 2/26/2026
AOSC Seminar
Joseph L Wilkins
Howard University
Title
How do you like your smoke?
Abstract
Wildfire risk and severity have recently grown substantially due to climate change and other anthropogenic factors such as increasing development at the wildland-urban interface. Existing research has characterized substantial adverse health impacts from exposure to wildfire-associated smoke. Few existing studies have quantified long term health impacts from wildfires, and none have used a wildfire specific long-term dose-response coefficient for mortality, which we have now developed. These findings are critical for guiding societal investments for wildfire prevention and suppression. For example, in 2018, ~2 million acres burned in California, led to ~5,000 asthma related emergency room visits and hospitalizations and ~11,500 premature deaths equating to an economic impact of ~$100 billion, with respect to the EPA Value of a Statistical Life of $8.7 million (2015 dollars). Wildfire smoke risks are not uniformly distributed across people and places, and the most vulnerable communities are often disproportionately impacted. This study develops a Community Health Vulnerability Index (CHVI) for the Contiguous United States (CONUS) using three major vulnerability components: adaptive capacity, sensitivity, and exposure at the national and regional level. Accurately identifying a community’s vulnerability to wildfire smoke can help individuals, researchers, and policymakers better understand, prepare for, and respond to future wildfire events.
Bio
Dr. Wilkins currently is an award Winning Distinguished Assistant Professor at Howard University, he was previously a Research Fellow at the US Forest Service AIRFIRE Team, and before that a postdoctoral scientist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in the Office of Research and Development. His research is funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation, and NASA and he partners with each of those institution to develop workforce ready underserved minorities. He conducts research experiments and summer internship programs funded by NASA Student Airbourne Research Program and the Energy and Climate Resilience for the DOE. He serves as an executive member of the International Association of Wildland Fire, and many other groups leading the global push for air quality and health e.g., member of the International Association of Wildland Fire, NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team, Fire Science Exchange Network, and the American Geophysical Union. Additionally, he volunteers his time serving on the executive board to create greener cities and building healthy mindsets towards nature with Keep Durham Beauty a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate, and Durham Public Schools Hub-Farm.
Contact
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AOSC Seminar
Pre-seminar refreshment: N/A
Seminar: 3:30-4:30pm, Room: ATL 2400(only when in-person)
Meet-the-Speaker: 4:30-5:00pm, Room: ATL 3400(only when in-person) [For AOSC Students only]
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