SWCOEH Celebrates Research Excellence and Future-Focused Leadership at Two Signature September Events

Published: September 22, 2026

The 4th Annual Bhojani Visiting Scholars Lecture Series: A Timely Conversation on AI and the Future of Work

On September 10, 2026, the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH) welcomed a packed house to the TMC3 Collaborative Building for the 4th Annual Drs. Faiyaz Ali & Mariam Maribel Bhojani Visiting Scholars Lecture Series — and this year's conversation couldn't have been more timely.

Since its founding in 2023, the Bhojani Visiting Scholars Endowment Lecture Series has done more than bring big names to Houston. Thanks to the generous support of the Bhojani family, it has become a cornerstone event that elevates UTHealth Houston School of Public Health's standing as a national leader in environmental and occupational health sciences, drawing renowned scholars into direct dialogue with the faculty, students, alumni, and community partners who carry that work forward.

This year, the spotlight belonged to Dr. John Howard, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), who took the stage to tackle one of the defining questions of our time: what does artificial intelligence mean for the future of work? His keynote, "AI and the Future of Work," moved between promise and caution — unpacking the real opportunities AI offers the workforce alongside the challenges it raises for occupational health and safety, and leaving the room buzzing with questions.

That energy carried into the panel discussion that followed, moderated by Silvia Maberti, Chair of the SWCOEH Advisory Board. Panelists Vibhu Sharma, Matt Berkheister, and Jacques Al Tawil dug into the practical side of the AI conversation - workforce readiness, innovation, and the shifting responsibilities of health and safety professionals navigating a rapidly automating world. The exchange was lively, drawing sharp questions from the audience and pushing everyone to think harder about how organizations can adopt AI responsibly, without losing sight of worker health and well-being.

By the end of the event, academic leaders, industry professionals, students, alumni, and community stakeholders had found common ground on a subject shaping the future of the field. In bringing that mix of voices together, the 2026 Bhojani Visiting Scholars Lecture Series didn't just honor the endowment mission - it reaffirmed SWCOEH's place at the forefront of occupational and environmental health sciences.

Inaugural SWCOEH Research & Practice Day Highlights Cutting-Edge Research and Real-World Impact

Following the Bhojani Visiting Scholars Lecture, the SWCOEH held our inaugural Research & Practice Day! The event showcased research and practice experiences from across the center, highlighting the innovative work our faculty and students are doing to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of workers and their communities.

We heard from SWCOEH Pilot Project awardees researching emerging issues in worker safety, health, and well-being; Docside Clinic scholars exploring waterfront workers’ access to health care and safety-net social services; NIOSH trainees and students showcasing their work in industrial hygiene and Total Worker Health®; and SWCOEH faculty presenting their latest research and practice initiatives.

Presentations were followed by Q&A sessions moderated by Sarah Felknor, DrPH; Jenil Patel, PhD; Shannon Guillot-Wright, PhD; and Eva Deemer, PhD.

Thank you to all our presenters and moderators for their participation and to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation. We look forward to building on the success of our inaugural event next year!