Elizabeth Ryznar, MD, MSc, will discuss how the plastic life cycle can lead to environmental pollution and associated mental health issues.
Dr. Ryznar will speak from 12-1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 in room 3001 in the Michael F. Sorrell Center at UNMC. The title of the discussion is “Shrinkwrapped: How Plastics Harm Brain Health.”
The event will also be available on Zoom.
Dr. Ryznar is an Associate Chair of Psychiatry at St. George’s University and a part-time assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Dr. Ryznar’s talk will recognize that plastics are composed of fossil fuel-derived polymers and chemical additives, both of which can cause direct neuropsychiatric effects; describe how each phase of the plastics life cycle (production, use, and disposal) causes environmental pollution and associated mental health problems; appreciate the role of plastics reduction as a public mental health prevention strategy as well as select two action items to undertake to reduce plastics pollution.
SPARKS, WISE Minds, and LiveGreen Ambassadors ERGs helped co-sponsor the event.
October is Campus Sustainability Month at UNMC.