Semra Aytur

Semra Aytur, PhD, MPH, is a Professor in the Department of Health Management & Policy at the University of New Hampshire. An epidemiologist, her research examines socio-ecological resilience and the interplay between built, natural, and social environments to promote planetary health. She co-leads the $6 million ENACTS study (NSF-funded) on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for community resilience, integrating social/natural sciences, engineering, and design.

Research Focus: Climate change's health impacts, environmental health, public health policy, and community-engaged approaches. Her work addresses flooding, heat islands, recreation access, and food insecurity through NbS, while exploring links between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), cognitive decline, and physical activity. She emphasizes equity in environmental interventions and telehealth applications for vulnerable populations.

Scientific Awards:

• American Public Health Association (APHA) Climate and Health Leadership Award (2022)

Grants & Collaborations: Co-PI on NSF's ENACTS project, a multi-institutional partnership co-creating NbS ecosystems. Her projects include healthcare worker climate impact studies, telehealth interventions for veterans/families, and frameworks for integrating planetary health into clinical and policy practices.