Medical Geology: A 10,000 YEAR-OPPORTUNITY

Register early! SEATING LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS.

COST

$305 per person
Includes materials and lunches

REGISTRATION

To register by phone with a credit card, please call 972-860-4600 and ask for "CE Class-ENGG 1091-21116."

Instructor: Dr. Robert B. Finkelman, University of Texas at Dallas

The instructor is an internationally recognized expert in medical geology. He is the co-director of the International Medical Geology Association, a member of the UN's International Year of Planet Earth, Science Information Team for Earth and Health, and editor of the award-winning book Essentials of Medical Geology.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Geologic materials (rocks, minerals, soil, natural dust, uncontaminated water) and geologic processes (volcanoes and earthquakes) can have a profound impact on animal and human health. It is the objective of this course to familiarize the students with the geologic materials and processes that are having the most dramatic impacts on human health; to explore how collaboration between geoscientists and the biomedical/public health communities can help to improve the health of many millions of people around the world; and to facilitate contacts and networking among professionals in related health and environmental professions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Geoscience and environmental science professionals, Earth science teachers, occupational and environmental health scientists, chemists, biologists, public health professionals, nurses, counselors, students and other professionals who are interested in learning about the expanding scope of the discipline and new opportunities in the field

PROGRAM

Day 1

• Welcome, Introductions, Course Summary
• Overview of Health Impacts of Trace Elements
• Coffee Break
• Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Trace Elements
• Arseniasis & Fluorosis Case Study from Guizhou Province

  Lunch

• Health Impacts of Coal: Should We be Concerned?
• Health Impacts of Ambient Dust
• Coffee Break
• Veterinary Geology
• Summary and Questions

Day 2

• Review of Day 1
• Occupational Health Issues and Health Impacts of Mercury
• Coffee Break
• Analytical Methods Used in Geology and Health Research
• Other Medical Geology Issues: Geophagia, Trace Element Deficiencies, etc.

  Lunch

• Databases and GIS Applications to Medical Geology
• Health Benefits of Geologic Materials
• Coffee Break
• Medical Geology Today
• Summary and Questions

Dr. Robert B. Finkelman, U.S. Geological Survey, Emeritus Scientist, University of Texas at Dallas

Dr. Finkelman is an internationally recognized scientist widely known for his work on coal chemistry and as a leader of the emerging field of medical geology. Dr. Finkelman has a diverse professional background having worked for the federal government (USGS) and private industry (Exxon). He also has formed a consulting company, Environmental and Coal Associates, and has lectured and provided mentorship at colleges and universities around the world. Most of Dr. Finkelman's professional career has been devoted to understanding the properties of coal and how these properties affect coal's technological performance, economic byproduct potential and environmental and health impacts. For the past 10 years he has devoted his efforts to developing the field of medical geology. Dr. Finkelman is the author of more than 550 publications and has been invited to speak in 50 countries. He is an officer in several professional societies, associate editor of two scientific journals, holds adjunct professorships at six universities and is the recipient of several national scientific awards.