Yale Public Health Magazine

Yuet Mei Chin Innovation Fund for Junior Faculty Working in Climate Change

Yale Public Health: Fall 2023

November 20, 2023

Nicole Smith, MPH ’24 (Environmental Health Sciences) tests ice core equipment on a snow patch in mid-July during an internship at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada.

Donor Q&A: *This donor prefers to remain anonymous about their motivation behind this gift.

What inspired you to create this fund?

My father is a professor and a scientist, and I know from him the challenges that young scientists and researchers face in getting funding for their work. I wanted to support them as they begin their careers.

Why is supporting the school’s efforts on behalf of climate change and health important to you?

Climate change and its impact on our planet and the people who live on it is, in my opinion, the most important and pressing crisis we face today. This summer, with its wildfires and record-breaking heatwaves across the globe, is a harbinger of what is to come, and I believe we urgently need people working to find solutions to mitigate the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

What is something you’d like to see your gift to YSPH accomplish?

I’d like to see it spark research that can be used to develop policies, innovative programs, or technology solutions to address the worst impacts of climate change.

What one piece of advice would you give to future generations and to future donors?

Universities such as Yale are essential for their contribution to global knowledge, and providing financial support for their mission is an important way to assist with this work. I would suggest thinking about areas where you believe it is important to expand our understanding, and investigating whether Yale has programs in those fields. It is a wonderful way to become involved on a personal level with Yale and to see firsthand the impact your support can have.