We invite you, your family and friends to this fourth talk in the 151 Golden Years Celebrations series. Well-known FedUni geoscientist Kim Dowling explores the links between human activity, environmental health and community well-being. 

Toxins and Treasures – A Medical Geology Story

Associate Professor Kim Dowling, Federation University

Tuesday 12 October 2021, 7.00pm

Delivery: Register to receive the Zoom link 

Abstract: Soil, rocks, air, and water provide the building blocks for all that we need, but when a landscape is contaminated, our health can be drastically affected. Kim uses toenails, trees and fungi to demonstrate the links between environmental health and human health from the Victorian goldfields to Africa and Asia. Her stories show how the emerging science of Medical Geology can guide improved health outcomes, resilience and sustainability for communities.

Biography: Kim began her career as an exploration geologist and geochemist, however she turned to the emerging field of Medical Geology because it united her interests in geochemistry, the environment and human health. Kim’s research focus is on metal mobility in landscapes. She traces the movement of metals through soil, water, plants and into the food web and undertakes risk assessments of contaminated land and water for government, public health agencies and industry. 

Kim teaches Environmental Geochemistry at Federation University and is an active member of the International Medical Geology Association.

Federation University celebrates 151 years of continuous learning, teaching and research in Geosciences with a series of public presentations exploring historical, archaeological, economic and social influences associated with mining in central Victoria.  

Download PDF: 151GYC Toxins and Treasures