Paul Chandanabhumma, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Chandanabhumma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Executive Committee Member of the Michigan Mixed Methods Program. His research interests lie at the intersection of health inequities, race, culture, community engagement, and the social production of medical and public health practices. He completed his PhD in Community Health Sciences at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan Mixed Methods Program. His mixed methods dissertation research examined the influence of group diversity on the achievements of community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships.
Dr. Chandanabhumma brings the perspective of health equity, climate change adaptation in communities (mental health, use of community health workers, etc.), current research (focus on heat, details of study, methodology used), community based participatory research, and what you can do to ‘be an agent of climate preparedness.’
Liesl Clark, M.S.
Liesl Eichler Clark of the School for Environment and Sustainability is U-M's first director of climate action engagement. She leads a new initiative aimed at linking the university’s expanding sustainability research, collaborations and engagement with external partners to accelerate climate action across the state of Michigan and beyond. Previously, Clark served as director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet, chaired the Council on Climate Solutions and led development of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. In addition to her role as prior director of EGLE, Clark is a successful entrepreneur in the clean energy and sustainability space having co-founded the clean energy consulting firm 5 Lakes Energy. She also was instrumental in the creation of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council and served as the president for three years as well as serving on a variety of business and nonprofit boards. Her professional career combines the public and private sectors to inform her passion for leadership, communication, and this beautiful state.
Ms. Clark brings the perspective of public health and public policy, implication of legislation and MI Healthy Climate Plan, climate change and emergency preparedness, and environmental justice/racism.
Larry Junck, M.D.
Dr. Junck is a Professor of Neurology and Active Emeritus with Michigan Medicine. He was Director/Co-director of the Brain Tumor Program for over 2 decades. He is the recipient of the health system’s Best Clinician Award and is on the Board of Directors of the Michigan State Medical Society. Among his many involvements in climate change, he is the founder and leader of Michigan Medicine Climate Voices, serves on the Board of Directors of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action, and is co-founder/co-leader of Neurologists Interested in Climate and Health.
Dr. Junck brings the perspective of general overview of climate change and its health consequences (air pollution, disparate health outcomes, increased infection, etc.), when/how to discuss with patients, and what ways physicians can get involved in advocacy (Climate Voices).
Alexandra H. Targan, M.D.
Dr. Targan is a faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine. She was born and raised in Michigan and focused her undergraduate degree on Health and Sustainability at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment (now SEAS). Prior to her medical training, she served as the Executive Director of the student organization, Kill-A-Watt, aimed at reducing energy use in undergraduate housing, and completed the Graham Sustainability Scholars program through the Graham Sustainability Institute in 2013. She then co-founded her medical school's chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. She has particular interest in incorporating her knowledge about climate impacts into clinical care to help our beautiful state and the people in it thrive in the face of the climate crisis.
Dr. Targan brings the perspective of a general overview of climate change, statement of importance, high level summary of current practices and primary care approach.
