Ambika Pandey, a recent graduate of Conestoga’s Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (BEPH) program, was awarded the 2022 Len Hiebert research award from the Environmental Health Foundation of Canada. Pandey was nominated by faculty for the BEPH research project she completed on the public health risks associated with backyard swimming pool rentals - a trend that rose in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Len Hiebert - Environmental Health Review award is presented to a student or team of students conducting a research project during the academic year in each of the degree programs accredited by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). The award includes a $500 prize and was created to encourage student participation in research and publication of critical environmental public health findings.
Pandey’s paper is under review for publication in the CIPHI journal, the Environmental Health Review. Several local health units have also requested pre-print manuscripts for review to support their policies on emerging public health issues related to backyard pool rentals.
Conestoga’s Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (BEPH) is an innovative four-year program, delivered at the honours level, that prepares graduates for a number of progressive public and private sector careers as environmental public health professionals. Accredited by CIPHI, students will obtain applied and integrated knowledge and skills in environmental public health sciences, emphasizing environmental epidemiology, toxicology and risk exposure and assessment.