The Predictive Biology Hub for Human and Environmental Health (PBH) officially launched at the University of Maryland on September 9, 2026. PBH leaders, co-principal investigators, graduate students, and prospective collaborators gathered for an afternoon of discussion about the Hub’s research initiatives. Presenters representing departments across campus, including mathematics, physics, geography, biology, and global health, shared engaging talks on pandemic threats, microbial interactions, ecosystem functioning, and other applications of computational biology. Dr. Gabi Steinbach, PBH’s associate director, said she looks forward to establishing the Hub as a center for interdisciplinary collaboration and training.

The launch event also introduced the Predictive Biology Hub’s Impact Fellows Program. Postdoctoral researchers interested in translating scientific discoveries about human and environmental systems into data-driven insights that inform health and policy and benefit society are invited to apply. Fellows will receive advanced training and a $2,500 award. The inaugural program will run from November 2026 through June 2027, and applications are due October 23, 2026. 

The first seminar in the 2026 PBH seminar series will take place on Tuesday, October 21st at 3pm in College Park. Drs. Meredith Gore and Bill Fagan will present on encounters and encounter pathways in zoonotic diseases.

PBH is supported by an impact award from the UMD Grand Challenges 2.0 Grants Program. To receive updates about upcoming PBH activities, please join our email list.