Air pollution has been identified by WHO as a major global health problem. In fact, one in eight deaths worldwide are related to air pollution. Therefore, it has become critical to understand the mechanisms that allow air pollutants to affect the immune response and the ways in which they lead to deadly diseases. Dr. Stephan Schwander, Associate Professor of Public Health and Director of the Center for Global Public Health at Rutgers University, explores if there is a connection between exposure to air pollution in cities and the likelihood of developing respiratory infections such as tuberculosis. Understanding this possible connection will provide the impetus for the implementation of air pollution regulations in low and middle income countries, and may lead to new recommendations for infection prevention.

Few researchers worldwide are committed to the study of pollutants impact on immune response and Dr. Schwander is renowned for his research track record in human lung immunity, and particularly in the context of tuberculosis. This expertise has allowed him to integrate novel questions into his research and to successfully obtain government funding due to the incredible significance of his work. Additionally, by partnering with global health organizations, and researchers in Mexico City, Canada, and at Duke University, he and his team are able to cast a wide net to study diverse populations and in the future, deliver robust services.

Current research includes:

• Mexico: Dr. Schwander and his team are conducting translational research in Mexico City to understand how air pollution impacts may lead to respiratory infections, and specifically to tuberculosis. He believes that by studying the different ways that pollution may impact individuals living within the city, they may be able to prevent tuberculosis in the future.
• Uganda: Over the last two decades when Dr. Schwander went to visit Uganda, he realized that air pollution was steadily growing worse. However, local government officials and institutions have yet to measure the air pollution levels. Therefore, Dr. Schwander began bringing monitors on each of his visits to record the air pollution levels. Now, he and his team are helping the city of Kampala to create a plan to mitigate pollution levels.
• United States: Although tuberculosis is primarily a disease in low and middle income countries, the infection knows no borders. As stated in March 2015 by Philip LoBue, director of the CDC’s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination “most cases are now likely brought into the country from abroad,” getting rid of the disease in this country “depends on progress against it elsewhere.” Therefore, Dr. Schwander’s research abroad has startling implications for cases of tuberculosis in the United States.
• Education: As the Director of the Center for Global Public Health at Rutgers University, Dr. Schwander helps to promote knowledge, research, and education within global public health. He is currently developing a Master's program in Public Health with concentration in Global Public Health at the Center for Global Public Health that will have its first students joining in 2016.  He also organizes and expands a Global Public Health Seminar Series at the Center for Global Public Health to engage and educate students and faculty at Rutgers and beyond in global public health topics. As the supervisor of a busy research lab he is actively involved in training biomedical approaches to studying global health questions. Therefore, his efforts are concentrated on training the next generation of scientists to engage in issues of global health.