SWCOEH Connects with OEHS Community at AIHA Connect 2026
From June 1–3, occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals from around the world gathered in New Orleans for AIHA Connect 2026, the premier annual conference for the industrial hygiene (IH) field. Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the event welcomed over 3,000 attendees for three days of education, collaboration, networking, and innovation.
The Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH) was proud to be part of this year’s conference with a booth in the bustling expo hall. We connected with professionals, partners, alumni, students, and potential trainees while sharing information about our programs, research, and outreach efforts.
Several of our SWCOEH trainees attended the conference, participating in educational sessions, exploring emerging topics, and learning about new ideas shaping the future of worker health and safety. Some trainees even had the opportunity to present their research projects.
Presentation Highlight
Dr. Yi-Hsuan (Amelia) Chen, a postdoctoral research fellow with the Texas Firefighter Cancer Study, presented F10: Rethinking Firefighter Particulate Matter Exposure Across Fire Scenarios: Integrating Size-Resolved Aerosols and Urinary Metal Biomarkers. Reflecting on her experience at the conference, she shared, “Presenting our research at AIHA Connect was an energizing experience. Sharing our team’s work on firefighter health and particulate exposure assessment with such an engaged community sparked meaningful conversations and new ideas.” Chen added, “Reconnecting with former colleagues and meeting fellow industrial hygiene leaders strengthened my motivation to advance this research, and I’m excited to bring that momentum back to our team.”
Student Attendance
This year, SWCOEH supported Hannah Lacaste, a NIOSH IH trainee, in attending the conference. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “AIHA Connect 2026 was an incredibly meaningful experience for me as a student and trainee. I arrived eager to learn, meet professionals, and better understand the opportunities in industrial hygiene, but I did not expect the conference to have such a lasting impact on my career path.”
The conference served as an opportunity to network and build professional connections. Lacaste shared, “Through conversations and networking, I received two internship opportunities: a summer internship with TIGA Consultants supporting the Kansas Army National Guard and a yearlong internship with Los Alamos National Laboratory. I also made connections that helped me explore a path toward becoming an Industrial Hygiene Officer with the U.S. Navy after graduation.”
Her biggest takeaway, and advice for students attending similar events, is to “put yourself out there and stay open to networking.” She added, “I am grateful to NIOSH for sponsoring my attendance and to the SWCOEH team for supporting me as a trainee. I left with new opportunities, mentors, connections, and a clearer vision for my future in industrial hygiene.”
Alumni Reception
A highlight of the week was the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Industrial Hygiene and Exposures Sciences (Program Director: Dr. Jooyeon Hwang) and University of Houston-Clear Lake Occupational Safety and Health Program (Program Director: Dr. Robert Phalen) Alumni Reception on June 2nd at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. The reception welcomed alumni from our two schools as well as other Texas institutions for program updates, conversation, and meaningful professional connections.
SWCOEH extends its appreciation to the AIHA Gulf Coast Chapter for hosting the reception and creating a welcoming space for alumni, colleagues, and students to reconnect and build new relationships. We also want to offer a special thank you to Jan Koehn, CEO of JK Inc., for sponsoring the refreshments and supporting this memorable gathering.
For those interested in staying up to date with the regional OEHS community, information about joining the AIHA Gulf Coast Chapter can be found at: https://ls.aiha.org/gulf-coast-local-section
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on a successful AIHA Connect 2026, we are already looking ahead to next year’s conference, taking place May 24–26, 2027, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. We look forward to welcoming the OEHS community to our city and hope to see you there!