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At the sun-drenched heart of Tirana this summer, in the historic halls of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, a powerful gathering of minds unfolded — the third International Conference on Public Health and Environment, co-sponsored by George Mason University’s College of Public Health, the Academy of Sciences of Albania, and Italy’s Collegium Ramazzini. With more than 60 researchers, practitioners, and policymakers participating over two days (June 30–July 1, 2025), the conference spotlighted cutting-edge research and collaboration in environmental and occupational health — and emphasized the increasing importance of global scientific partnerships.
A strategic gathering for a shared future
Featuring robust delegations from Albania, Kosovo, Italy, and the United States, along with scientific contributions from Brazil, Poland, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia, the event served as a platform to examine the intersection of environment and health through a uniquely regional and international lens.
“This conference reflects what is possible when science transcends national borders and becomes a force for collective action,” said Melissa J. Perry, dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason, during her opening remarks. Perry’s leadership and longstanding engagement in Albanian and Balkan public health efforts helped catalyze this international collaboration.
Topics with global relevance, grounded in regional realities
Throughout the conference, scientists tackled real-world environmental health threats, offering both alarming insights and practical pathways forward.
From air pollution to marine chemical spills, and from tuberculosis to pesticide toxicity, the presentations offered a comprehensive view of environmental risks in the Balkans and beyond. Italian researchers presented new methodologies in environmental epidemiology, while Kosovar scientists highlighted gaps in antimicrobial stewardship through a One Health lens. Experts from Brazil shared marine pollution assessments, and experts from Poland, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia contributed new insights into foodborne illness, antimicrobial resistance, and occupational health.
George Mason faculty also contributed original research, including Perry’s own work on the reproductive health effects of pesticides, underscoring the college’s global reach and scientific leadership.
The shared commitment to capacity building stood out. Presenters and panelists repeatedly emphasized the need for robust training pipelines, laboratory infrastructure, regulatory reform, and cross-sector partnerships — messages that align closely with George Mason’s mission of education, innovation, and impact.
A platform for policy, a catalyst for change
This year’s conference drew active participation from three Albanian ministers — health, environment, and agriculture — underscoring the relevance of environmental health to governance and development. Their presence amplified a key message: that scientific research must inform public policy and regulatory frameworks, particularly as Albania and its neighbors navigate European Union accession, urbanization, and climate adaptation.
Deepening regional roots and academic exchange
Over the past two years, George Mason’s College of Public Health has steadily expanded its academic footprint in Albania and Kosovo, including faculty exchanges, student study-abroad programs, and joint research initiatives.
There is growing momentum to develop a sustainable student exchange program that would allow undergraduate and graduate students from George Mason to intern with Albanian public health institutions, conduct field research, and participate in policy forums. In return, Albanian scholars — some of whom are already engaged in George Mason-facilitated fellowships — are expected to join George Mason’s campus in Virginia for collaborative training in environmental and occupational health sciences. These exchanges will simultaneously build technical knowledge and nurture global citizenship and scientific diplomacy.
By forging academic exchange pipelines, advancing the science of environmental epidemiology, or advocating for evidence-based policy, George Mason is making an indelible mark — in Fairfax, Tirana, and across the globe.