Supervisor, Pollen Monitoring Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas 

in collaboration with the Clark County School District

This week, Ira spoke with Asma Tahir, supervisor of the Pollen Monitoring Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in collaboration with the Clark County School District. In this pollinated episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Asma talks about the origins of the program, which began in 2014; why UNLV is a National Allergy Bureau certified site; why pollen monitoring generates interest in the program from across the country; how pollen is collected and how it is rated; and the unique machine, the Burkard, which is used as a sampler.

As a certified National Allergy Bureaus’ pollen and mold counter, Asma monitors, collects, counts, and identifies pollen and mold around the valley. Her research focuses on pollen and mold allergens and the effect of changing environment and weather patterns.

She earned her B.S in Botany and Zoology, BA in Psychology and her MPH in Healthcare Administration & Policy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In May 2013, Governor Brian Sandoval appointed Asma to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Behavioral Health. She is also a part-time instructor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the School of Public Health.