Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
Fostering diverse and inclusive leaders in environmental health. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (Director: Dr. Ami Zota) + Environmental Health News (Media Partner).
https://agentsofchangeinej.org/
https://agentsofchangeinej.org/
Pinned
A 🧵on why our fellowship is changing.
In the first five years, we’ve achieved so much:
🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽🔬We have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
✍️📝We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
🎧🎤Our podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
In the first five years, we’ve achieved so much:
🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽🔬We have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
✍️📝We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
🎧🎤Our podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
🚽 It’s World Toilet Day — yes, that’s a thing.
And it matters more than most people realize. A 🧵👇
And it matters more than most people realize. A 🧵👇
November 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
🚽 It’s World Toilet Day — yes, that’s a thing.
And it matters more than most people realize. A 🧵👇
And it matters more than most people realize. A 🧵👇
As housing took center stage in local elections, we’re revisiting an essay by MyDzung Chu as part of our From the Vault series.
She reminds us that housing justice isn’t just about affordability; but it’s about health and belonging 🌱🏘️
🔗 Read here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
She reminds us that housing justice isn’t just about affordability; but it’s about health and belonging 🌱🏘️
🔗 Read here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
From the Vault: Why housing security is key to environmental justice
Across U.S. cities, a new wave of mayors is putting housing justice on top of the agenda. Mỹ Dzung Chu reminds us why seeing housing as a human right and a public health matt is more urgent than ever.
agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
As housing took center stage in local elections, we’re revisiting an essay by MyDzung Chu as part of our From the Vault series.
She reminds us that housing justice isn’t just about affordability; but it’s about health and belonging 🌱🏘️
🔗 Read here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
She reminds us that housing justice isn’t just about affordability; but it’s about health and belonging 🌱🏘️
🔗 Read here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
🌪️ @newyorker.com just spotlighted former Agents Of Change fellow @robbieparks.bsky.social!
His research reveals the invisible health toll of hurricanes — from chronic illness to mental health impacts long after storms end.
Read more 👇
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
His research reveals the invisible health toll of hurricanes — from chronic illness to mental health impacts long after storms end.
Read more 👇
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
The Hidden Devastation of Hurricanes
Their health effects extend far beyond official death tolls.
www.newyorker.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:07 PM
🌪️ @newyorker.com just spotlighted former Agents Of Change fellow @robbieparks.bsky.social!
His research reveals the invisible health toll of hurricanes — from chronic illness to mental health impacts long after storms end.
Read more 👇
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
His research reveals the invisible health toll of hurricanes — from chronic illness to mental health impacts long after storms end.
Read more 👇
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Big news! 🥁
Dr. @amizota.bsky.social, our founder and director, just received the David P. Rall Award from @apha.org for her trailblazing work on toxic chemicals and health equity. 🌿👏
Here’s to science that protects us all! 💪
Dr. @amizota.bsky.social, our founder and director, just received the David P. Rall Award from @apha.org for her trailblazing work on toxic chemicals and health equity. 🌿👏
Here’s to science that protects us all! 💪
November 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Big news! 🥁
Dr. @amizota.bsky.social, our founder and director, just received the David P. Rall Award from @apha.org for her trailblazing work on toxic chemicals and health equity. 🌿👏
Here’s to science that protects us all! 💪
Dr. @amizota.bsky.social, our founder and director, just received the David P. Rall Award from @apha.org for her trailblazing work on toxic chemicals and health equity. 🌿👏
Here’s to science that protects us all! 💪
This #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we revisit Diné Fellow in Residence Kevin Patterson’s essay on how drought & water loss endanger not just survival, but culture & sovereignty.
🪶✍️ Read here → substack.com/home/post/p-...
🪶✍️ Read here → substack.com/home/post/p-...
From the Vault: Protecting Indigenous children means protecting water
For Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we're republishing Kevin Patterson's essay, which illuminates the deep connections between environmental justice, cultural survival, and tribal sovereignty.
substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
This #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we revisit Diné Fellow in Residence Kevin Patterson’s essay on how drought & water loss endanger not just survival, but culture & sovereignty.
🪶✍️ Read here → substack.com/home/post/p-...
🪶✍️ Read here → substack.com/home/post/p-...
That time we met a James Beard Award winner 🍲
At Kalaya, in Philly, Chef Nok Suntaranon reminded us that every story — and every meal — carries memory, care, and purpose.
Read our latest Substack post on what her story taught us about ours ⬇️ agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/what-a-jam...
At Kalaya, in Philly, Chef Nok Suntaranon reminded us that every story — and every meal — carries memory, care, and purpose.
Read our latest Substack post on what her story taught us about ours ⬇️ agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/what-a-jam...
What a James Beard award-winner taught us about ourselves
A recap of our fourth in-person retreat.
agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
That time we met a James Beard Award winner 🍲
At Kalaya, in Philly, Chef Nok Suntaranon reminded us that every story — and every meal — carries memory, care, and purpose.
Read our latest Substack post on what her story taught us about ours ⬇️ agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/what-a-jam...
At Kalaya, in Philly, Chef Nok Suntaranon reminded us that every story — and every meal — carries memory, care, and purpose.
Read our latest Substack post on what her story taught us about ours ⬇️ agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/what-a-jam...
✨ The Agents of Change retreat is back! For the 4th year, we gather in Philly to think about environmental health & justice. 🌍💡 #AgentsOfChange
September 30, 2025 at 2:08 PM
✨ The Agents of Change retreat is back! For the 4th year, we gather in Philly to think about environmental health & justice. 🌍💡 #AgentsOfChange
NEW PAPER ALERT❗ The Taking Stock study, a collab taking a look into the impacts of beauty products on Black and Latina women in California, just published new results.
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social , @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social , Silent Spring Institute, LA Grit Media and @bwwla.bsky.social
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social , @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social , Silent Spring Institute, LA Grit Media and @bwwla.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM
NEW PAPER ALERT❗ The Taking Stock study, a collab taking a look into the impacts of beauty products on Black and Latina women in California, just published new results.
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social , @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social , Silent Spring Institute, LA Grit Media and @bwwla.bsky.social
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social , @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social , Silent Spring Institute, LA Grit Media and @bwwla.bsky.social
💄🧴 Choosing safer personal care products can help lower exposure to harmful chemicals.
A new study of Black & Latina women in South LA shows that shopping choices do make a difference. 👇🧵
A new study of Black & Latina women in South LA shows that shopping choices do make a difference. 👇🧵
September 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
💄🧴 Choosing safer personal care products can help lower exposure to harmful chemicals.
A new study of Black & Latina women in South LA shows that shopping choices do make a difference. 👇🧵
A new study of Black & Latina women in South LA shows that shopping choices do make a difference. 👇🧵
🗣️ Ever pitched an op-ed and heard nothing back?
Join an online roundtable w/ editors from Nature, The Conversation, & Undark to hear what works—and what doesn’t.
🗓️ Sept 25
⏰ 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
💻 Online
🔗 Register:
ucla.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🔒 This session is exclusively for our AoC fellows.
Join an online roundtable w/ editors from Nature, The Conversation, & Undark to hear what works—and what doesn’t.
🗓️ Sept 25
⏰ 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
💻 Online
🔗 Register:
ucla.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🔒 This session is exclusively for our AoC fellows.
September 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🗣️ Ever pitched an op-ed and heard nothing back?
Join an online roundtable w/ editors from Nature, The Conversation, & Undark to hear what works—and what doesn’t.
🗓️ Sept 25
⏰ 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
💻 Online
🔗 Register:
ucla.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🔒 This session is exclusively for our AoC fellows.
Join an online roundtable w/ editors from Nature, The Conversation, & Undark to hear what works—and what doesn’t.
🗓️ Sept 25
⏰ 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
💻 Online
🔗 Register:
ucla.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🔒 This session is exclusively for our AoC fellows.
🚨 Did you know that 2.2 million people in the U.S. still don’t have basic drinking water or plumbing? This crisis doesn’t affect everyone equally. A 🧵 on our latest Substack, available here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
From the vault: Water injustice on display in the Southwest US
To introduce our fellows in residence, we'll be sharing their previous essays – most are as timely as when they were first published.
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🚨 Did you know that 2.2 million people in the U.S. still don’t have basic drinking water or plumbing? This crisis doesn’t affect everyone equally. A 🧵 on our latest Substack, available here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
🚨 New on Substack!
Dr. @yoshira.bsky.social — exposure scientist, EJ scholar & our assistant director — is bringing her creative, snarky, but hopeful voice to a new newsletter, "Hazards & Hopes" 💌
Expect:
📖 Publications
✊🌎 EJ insights
🤓 Advice + more
Follow her 👉
Dr. @yoshira.bsky.social — exposure scientist, EJ scholar & our assistant director — is bringing her creative, snarky, but hopeful voice to a new newsletter, "Hazards & Hopes" 💌
Expect:
📖 Publications
✊🌎 EJ insights
🤓 Advice + more
Follow her 👉
Hazards & Hopes | Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne | Substack
Mostly things on environmental health, sometimes popculture, lots of tajin. Click to read Hazards & Hopes, by Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne, a Substack publication. Launched a month ago.
yoshiravh.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:01 AM
🚨 New on Substack!
Dr. @yoshira.bsky.social — exposure scientist, EJ scholar & our assistant director — is bringing her creative, snarky, but hopeful voice to a new newsletter, "Hazards & Hopes" 💌
Expect:
📖 Publications
✊🌎 EJ insights
🤓 Advice + more
Follow her 👉
Dr. @yoshira.bsky.social — exposure scientist, EJ scholar & our assistant director — is bringing her creative, snarky, but hopeful voice to a new newsletter, "Hazards & Hopes" 💌
Expect:
📖 Publications
✊🌎 EJ insights
🤓 Advice + more
Follow her 👉
💧 New on Substack: Water injustice in the Southwest US
From AI data centers draining fragile supplies to the Navajo Nation’s centuries-long fight for water rights—this essay shows why water is life, but access is never equal.
Read here 👉 substack.com/home/post/p-...
From AI data centers draining fragile supplies to the Navajo Nation’s centuries-long fight for water rights—this essay shows why water is life, but access is never equal.
Read here 👉 substack.com/home/post/p-...
From the vault: Water injustice on display in the Southwest US
To introduce our fellows in residence, we'll be sharing their previous essays – most are as timely as when they were first published.
substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:54 PM
💧 New on Substack: Water injustice in the Southwest US
From AI data centers draining fragile supplies to the Navajo Nation’s centuries-long fight for water rights—this essay shows why water is life, but access is never equal.
Read here 👉 substack.com/home/post/p-...
From AI data centers draining fragile supplies to the Navajo Nation’s centuries-long fight for water rights—this essay shows why water is life, but access is never equal.
Read here 👉 substack.com/home/post/p-...
🧵 Washington just made cosmetic history 🚨❗ It became the first state in the US to ban ALL formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics—like skin creams, styling gels, even lash glue. Here's why it matters 💅
September 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
🧵 Washington just made cosmetic history 🚨❗ It became the first state in the US to ban ALL formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics—like skin creams, styling gels, even lash glue. Here's why it matters 💅
Asian immigrant women in the U.S. have the highest levels of arsenic in their bodies — more than any other group.
New research co-written by Dr. MyDzung Chu shows why. 🧵
✨ This is part 3 in our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research on Asian community health, presented at #ISEEISES2025
New research co-written by Dr. MyDzung Chu shows why. 🧵
✨ This is part 3 in our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research on Asian community health, presented at #ISEEISES2025
August 30, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Asian immigrant women in the U.S. have the highest levels of arsenic in their bodies — more than any other group.
New research co-written by Dr. MyDzung Chu shows why. 🧵
✨ This is part 3 in our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research on Asian community health, presented at #ISEEISES2025
New research co-written by Dr. MyDzung Chu shows why. 🧵
✨ This is part 3 in our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research on Asian community health, presented at #ISEEISES2025
🌆🔥 Boston’s Chinatown is the city’s hottest neighborhood—literally.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on Dr. MyDzung Chu’s research on Asian community health, shared at #ISEEISES2025, where she presented 3 papers on heat, equity & environmental justice. 🧵
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on Dr. MyDzung Chu’s research on Asian community health, shared at #ISEEISES2025, where she presented 3 papers on heat, equity & environmental justice. 🧵
August 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🌆🔥 Boston’s Chinatown is the city’s hottest neighborhood—literally.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on Dr. MyDzung Chu’s research on Asian community health, shared at #ISEEISES2025, where she presented 3 papers on heat, equity & environmental justice. 🧵
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on Dr. MyDzung Chu’s research on Asian community health, shared at #ISEEISES2025, where she presented 3 papers on heat, equity & environmental justice. 🧵
🏠🩸 Did you know public housing can help protect kids from lead poisoning?
New research led by Dr. MyDzung Chu uncovers the surprising link between housing and children’s health.
This is Part 1 of our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research, presented at #ISEEISES2025 🧵
New research led by Dr. MyDzung Chu uncovers the surprising link between housing and children’s health.
This is Part 1 of our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research, presented at #ISEEISES2025 🧵
August 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🏠🩸 Did you know public housing can help protect kids from lead poisoning?
New research led by Dr. MyDzung Chu uncovers the surprising link between housing and children’s health.
This is Part 1 of our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research, presented at #ISEEISES2025 🧵
New research led by Dr. MyDzung Chu uncovers the surprising link between housing and children’s health.
This is Part 1 of our 3-part series on Dr. Chu’s research, presented at #ISEEISES2025 🧵
✨ 📸 🌟 Our Agents of Change might not be selling out stadiums around the world, but they sure had a hectic week during #ISEEISES2025!
It was inspiring to be surrounded by colleagues to and connect and build new collaborations around environmental health and justice.
It was inspiring to be surrounded by colleagues to and connect and build new collaborations around environmental health and justice.
August 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
✨ 📸 🌟 Our Agents of Change might not be selling out stadiums around the world, but they sure had a hectic week during #ISEEISES2025!
It was inspiring to be surrounded by colleagues to and connect and build new collaborations around environmental health and justice.
It was inspiring to be surrounded by colleagues to and connect and build new collaborations around environmental health and justice.
If you're attending #ISEEISES2025, make sure to join MyDzung T. Chu for her talk later today!
August 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
If you're attending #ISEEISES2025, make sure to join MyDzung T. Chu for her talk later today!
Have you read our first Substack yet? if you haven't, here's the main take away of why our program (and newsletter!) is changing! If you want to learn more, read the full entry here: substack.com/home/post/p-...
August 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Have you read our first Substack yet? if you haven't, here's the main take away of why our program (and newsletter!) is changing! If you want to learn more, read the full entry here: substack.com/home/post/p-...
As Plastic Treaty negotiations reach an end, we invite you to read fellow in residence @timisneat.bsky.social's essay on centering the voices of communitises in plastic legislation. it is as relevant as ever. Read it here: www.ehn.org/communities-...
August 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
As Plastic Treaty negotiations reach an end, we invite you to read fellow in residence @timisneat.bsky.social's essay on centering the voices of communitises in plastic legislation. it is as relevant as ever. Read it here: www.ehn.org/communities-...
‼️🌎🚨As #PlasticsTreaty negotiation enter its final days, we bring you fellow in residence @timisneat.bsky.social picks of talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique plastic pollution advocates, groups and science organizations to follow.
Illicitglory Lady GIF
ALT: Illicitglory Lady GIF
media.tenor.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
‼️🌎🚨As #PlasticsTreaty negotiation enter its final days, we bring you fellow in residence @timisneat.bsky.social picks of talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique plastic pollution advocates, groups and science organizations to follow.
A 🧵on why our fellowship is changing.
In the first five years, we’ve achieved so much:
🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽🔬We have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
✍️📝We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
🎧🎤Our podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
In the first five years, we’ve achieved so much:
🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽🔬We have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
✍️📝We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
🎧🎤Our podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
August 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
A 🧵on why our fellowship is changing.
In the first five years, we’ve achieved so much:
🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽🔬We have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
✍️📝We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
🎧🎤Our podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
In the first five years, we’ve achieved so much:
🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽🔬We have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
✍️📝We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
🎧🎤Our podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
We reimagined our fellowship. Read our first Substack post to learn more about this change: shorturl.at/iCUeZ
August 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
We reimagined our fellowship. Read our first Substack post to learn more about this change: shorturl.at/iCUeZ
‼️🆕 Funding cuts are drying up career paths, fracturing collaborations, and stalling scientific progress. The stakes have never been higher.
As a result, we reimagined our fellowship. Read our first Substack post to learn more about this change: shorturl.at/iCUeZ
As a result, we reimagined our fellowship. Read our first Substack post to learn more about this change: shorturl.at/iCUeZ
Things are lonely for researchers. This community wants to combat that.
Why our program – and this newsletter – is changing.
shorturl.at
August 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
‼️🆕 Funding cuts are drying up career paths, fracturing collaborations, and stalling scientific progress. The stakes have never been higher.
As a result, we reimagined our fellowship. Read our first Substack post to learn more about this change: shorturl.at/iCUeZ
As a result, we reimagined our fellowship. Read our first Substack post to learn more about this change: shorturl.at/iCUeZ