2025 Seminar Description

Infectious Respiratory Disease

Jordan Peccia, Thomas E. Golden Jr. Professor of Environmental Engineering

Infectious respiratory disease is a major cause of illness and death in the world. There are more than 1 billion respiratory infections each year in the US, impacting our well-being and economic security. The world still lacks effective therapeutics for many respiratory infections, and new viral strains and antibiotic resistant bacteria continue to emerge.

This seminar will broadly consider infectious respiratory disease. We start with the biology of pathogens and human infection and then move to routes of transmission, focusing on how one catches a cold. We'll cover technical and social concepts of infection control measures including vaccines, masking, and building ventilation.

The topic is broad, and the seminar is well suited for junior high and high school teachers in science and the humanities. The material in the seminar could also be suitable for units written by elementary grade teachers. It is my hope that by learning about current and past pandemics, teachers and students will gain a better knowledge of this human health threat that continues to impact the life of every person.