Thanks to UBRP Research Matters welcomes Mira Kaibara to KXCI community radio. We had so much to talk about that this is a two-part episode! Here’s what Mira has to say:
Hi, I’m Mira! I am a senior studying Neuroscience and Cognitive Science at the University of Arizona with minors in environmental studies and biochemistry. I am incredibly passionate about connecting human health with environmental issues: I have transferred this passion to various cultural and art projects on campus, the most recent being a cherry blossom sculpture project in collaboration with the Japanese American Student Association and the Campus Sustainability Fund. I hope to bridge gaps between hazardous environmental trends and human well-being through art and science and my upcoming master’s degree in Global Health: Human Health and the Environment at Royal Holloway, University of London. I have been so lucky to start this career at Dr. Jennifer Teske’s Lab, where my thesis research studies disproportionate environmental noise hazards in Tucson based on socioeconomic status (SES). Though noise exposure is linked to many health concerns, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, it is not often considered as one of the dangers of the environment. I collect noise samples across hospitals, grocery stores, and schools in Tucson that vary in SES. My data indicates that in each type of place, human-relevant noise is greater in low SES neighborhoods than high SES. This research raises concerns about environmental injustice in Tucson, how we construct our cities, and its effect on citizens. Beyond my research and art, I love to cook, swim, and play music with my friends.
