By Janine Cortez and Suzette Smiley-Jewell

By Anthony Kalife

WCAHS welcomes Alvaro Medel-Herrero to its team of investigators. In a recent interview with Anthony Kalife, WCAHS’ fall writing intern, Alvaro spoke about his research and working at UC Davis.

What is your educational background?

By Janine-Jeth Cortez

Located approximately 25 miles northwest of Sacramento, Knights Landing is home to a large Hispanic/Latino population that works in agriculture. This past October, WCAHS participated in a community health fair held at the Knights Landing United Methodist church. Many different organizations, including WCAHS, set up tents and booths in the church courtyard to provide free health and safety information as well as basic health screenings.

WCAHS welcomes new investigator Dr. Christopher Simmons to the research team. Simmons, an Assistant Professor in the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology, will be conducting a study on biosolarization as an alternative technology to soil fumigation. Soil fumigants are used to kill nematodes, weeds, bacteria, fungi, and insects that damage crops. Here, he talks about his research.

Why are alternatives to soil fumigants needed?

Agricultural health and safety will be featured at the upcoming Migrant Labor and Global Health (MLGH) Conference to be held at UC Davis March 2-3, 2017. Often referred to as a “megatrend” of our time, global migration is a phenomenon that involves over 244 million people worldwide, most of whom move in search of work and wellbeing. In the US along, 80 million people are first or second generation immigrants.

We are pleased to announce that the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCAHS) just received a $10 million grant renewal from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Agriculture still remains one of the most hazardous industries in the US based on occupational fatality rates. Agriculture is also the largest industry in California and employs up to one million farm workers, primarily Latino immigrants who are a vulnerable population.