Data2Action

Arlene Oetomo is a climate change and public health researcher leveraging smart home technologies, including smart thermostats, to monitor indoor temperatures. Her work assesses the impacts of extreme heat events, such as heat waves, particularly in underserved communities. Arlene is exploring the applications of generative AI for public health. She aims to combat infodemics and extreme weather events, contributing to more resilient communities. Passionate about advocating for climate justice, Arlene is committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to safe spaces. She is a two-time Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada scholar and a VERGE 2023 Emerging Leader.

Shahan is a PhD candidate at the School of Public Health Science, specializes in digital epidemiology, harnessing technology to combat pressing public health issues stemming from climate change. His research revolves around using cost-effective technologies and artificial intelligence to address critical public health challenges arising from climate change. Shahan has always had a burning desire to change the world and bring a positive change to people's lives, especially those living in underserved communities. In collaboration with UNICEF in Mongolia, he actively engages in initiatives employing low-cost air quality sensors to monitor and predict adverse outcomes related to air pollution exposure in underserved communities. Shahan is the recipient of the NSERC scholarship and will serve as a 2023 COP observer representing the University of Waterloo.

Irfhana Zakir Hussain is a global citizen with a persistent drive to enact change. She knows that the real-life impact of global health and IoT technology is immeasurable and believes that it is the responsibility of those with the skill and willpower to ensure that such ventures ethically and positively shape the world. After completing her B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, Big Data Analytics, Irfhana is now pursuing a PhD in Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, where she contributes to various initiatives as an AI for Public Health researcher.

is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo and the Director of the Ubiquitous Health Technology Lab (UbiLab). The UbiLab focuses on developing systemic approaches to health data integration, leveraging mHealth and IoT for public health surveillance. As the J.W. Graham Information Technology Emerging Leader Chair in Applied Health Informatics, Dr. Morita has focused his research program on the development of platforms and data ecosystems for leveraging crowdsourced data (i.e., data already collected by sensors) from mobile health, wearables, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices to support public health initiatives, public health surveillance, and environmental monitoring.

Luka has a MSc in Information Design Systems by the Federal University of Parana, Brazil, and a MSc in Public Health and Health Systems by the University of Waterloo, Canada. They currently work with using data visualizations as knowlege transaltion tools for the healthcare field. Their interests lie in using Information Design to bridge the gap in communication between healthcare systems and the general public.