Health Risks from Wildfire Smoke and Focus on Vulnerable Populations
Amidst the haze from Canadian wildfires affecting North America and preparations for the annual wildfire season in the western United States, Dr. Neeta Thakur focused on mitigating health risks caused by smoke exposure, particularly within minority and economically disadvantaged groups.
Dr. Thakur's Career and Advocacy
For over ten years, Dr. Thakur, a pulmonologist and researcher at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), successfully secured federal funding for her work. However, recent political shifts, notably under President Donald Trump, have placed her at the forefront of defending public health science against ideological restrictions.
Leadership and Legal Efforts
At 45 years old, Dr. Thakur serves as the medical director of the Chest Clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and has become a leading plaintiff in legal efforts to preserve scientific research funding and integrity amid these challenges.