Plenary Session
Associate Professor Amelia Turagabeci will explore how climate change, rapid urbanisation and environmental contamination are reshaping microbial risk across Pacific Island communities. Drawing on her extensive research in informal settlements, Amelia will highlight how challenges such as flooding, poor sanitation and waste management influence the spread of enteric and vector-borne diseases including dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Her talk will spotlight community-level approaches to health surveillance and risk reduction, grounded in local realities and transdisciplinary collaboration. With a unique perspective at the intersection of science, public health and policy, Amelia offers vital insight into how microbial threats are playing out in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.