My pronouns are she/her
I am researching the link between the health of ecosystems and human health. With humans experiencing an increasing prevalence of mental and physical (non-communicable diseases) health issues, reduced exposure to nature could be one of the missing links. There is evidence for the benefits of nature on human health, and my research will focus on the function of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants for this purpose. VOCs are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, and some lab-tested compounds such as α-pinene, have been shown to induce physiological and psychological calming. I seek to use human health metrics such as mental health surveys, salivary amylase, cortisol, and heart rate variability in conjunction with volatile organic compound analysis to assess:
- Does volatile organic compound composition vary with ecosystem quality and biodiversity?
- Are diverse and intact ecosystems associated with increased health benefits to people?
- Is there a link between the volatile organic compounds that benefit human health and compounds associated with other important ecosystem functions, such as pollination?
This work will bridge a knowledge gap in understanding the influence of land management practices on VOCs profiles and the associated role in services related to human health and the provisioning of other ecosystem services.
