Research Scientists' Perspectives on Climate Impacts for Building Environment & Materials
Included in subscription
Description
How are building materials affected by increasing temperatures, extreme water events, increasing humidity levels, and wildland-urban interface fires? Scientists from the Chemical Insights Research Institute will discuss the effects of changing environmental conditions on the release of chemicals, unexpected chemical transformations, microbiological growth, and fire emissions and residues. Presenters will discuss how this research may translate into tools for the building community, offering a glimpse into future design of healthy and durable materials and buildings.
Course expires 06/05/2026
Learning Objectives
Identify how architects and scientists collectively drive market transformation towards healthier spaces.
Describe the impact of evolving environmental conditions related to climate change on building products and materials.
Describe the tools and technologies used to quantify the impact of extreme weather events on human health and well-being within the built environment.
Understand new scientific research to impact future design choices.
Dr. Black founded the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, a nonprofit organization that oversees the International GREENGUARD Certification Programs. She founded Air Quality Sciences, Inc. (now UL Air Quality Sciences) a testing and research leader focused on chemical and biological air pollution. Dr. Black currently leads ULRI’s non-profit Chemical Insights Research Institute whose mission is to deliver scientific insight policymakers, healthcare providers, business leaders and consumers depend on to make informed environmental health decisions.
Birgitte Messerschmidt is Director, Research, National Fire Protection Association. She is responsible for NFPA’s Research Strategy, Research on fire problems and other safety issues, Data collection efforts to maintain NFPA’s fire incident and fire service databases and the NFPA Research library. She has a M. Sc. In Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark and has spent her entire career working on fire safety issues. Making our built environment more resilient to fire through better understanding of the impact of construction products and methods, as well as testing procedures and policy has been a career long passion. She has been involved in testing and research as well as standardization and advocacy. She has published and presented numerous papers on fire safety issues.
Holley Henderson (LEED Fellow, WELL AP + Fitwel Ambassador) is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Education for Chemical Insights Research Institute. Her background includes interior design, sustainability consulting and providing education for the built environment community. A frequent speaker on sustainable design issues, she has presented for many groups including Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, IFMA World Workplaces, NeoCon, Greenguard Summit, Hospitality & Design (HD) Conference, CBRE World Conference, the International Convention Center Conference, as well as numerous professional associations, academic institutions and corporate audiences. Holley is author of the book Becoming a Green Building Professional.
Dr. Horner’s research includes: indoor mold growth, water losses, microbial VOCs, indoor allergens, aerobiology, and emissions of ultrafine particles and ozone. He taught IAQ training, has written numerous peer reviewed papers, and presented at numerous conferences.
He has responded to hurricanes and conducted field work investigations in courthouses, offices, hotels, hospitals, housing, assisted living, schools, defense factories and marine vessels.
He served on the IAQA BoD and serves on ASHRAE 62.1 and other IAQ-related committees.