r. Sebastian Rowland, PhD, researches the air quality and public health impacts of energy systems as a scientist at PSE Healthy Energy, a nonprofit research institute. At PSE Dr. Rowland applies his experience in public health, data science, and epidemiology to characterize the health risks associated with natural gas leaks, quantify the role of air pollution in health disparities and assess climate vulnerability and solutions in frontline communities. Dr. Rowland received his PhD from Columbia University where he modeled uncertainties in fine particulate matter concentrations to inform future monitoring efforts and examined the cardiovascular effects of short-term temperature exposures. Prior to his PhD, Dr. Rowland helped develop the first national census of underground natural gas storage wells and facilities at the Center for Climate, Health, and Global Environment (C-CHANGE) at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, where he earned his MS; investigated environmental hazards as an environmental consultant; and earned his BA in Biology.
Title of Talk: Uncovering the Hidden Health Risks of Energy Systems
Nationwide and globally, energy systems are undergoing massive transitions, as well as retrenchment of older technologies. Where these systems operate where we work, live, and play, they can impact air quality and public health – yet too often these impacts are not part of the conversation about transitions. In this talk, Dr. Sebastian Rowland will describe recent research uncovering some of these health impacts. He will discuss the air quality impacts and public health risks of natural gas leaks and cooking with gas in the home, as well as recent work characterizing climate vulnerability and quantifying the role of air pollution in maternal health disparities.
Time: March 12th, 2026 12:00 PM Eastern Time
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