Kristof interviews Dr. Sarah Haines

The Indoor Microbiome is the complex, invisible world of microorganisms living within our daily surroundings, serving as the primary ecological interface through which buildings influence human biology. In this light, we are beginning to view indoor environments not merely as passive shelters, but as powerful positive health interventions that can actively shape our immune development and long-term wellbeing.

Today, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Haines, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and Principal Investigator of the IMEE Lab, to explore the foundational framework behind this shift. We will discuss the emerging perspective of "biologically informed architectural design" and the fact that architects and interior designers don’t just curate materials, they curate our basic microbial exposures and therefore our health and wellbeing.

Sarah Haines

Professor Sarah Haines’ interdisciplinary research integrates building science, engineering, and microbiology to analyze the impact the built environment has on human health. She uses cutting-edge microbiology techniques such as next-generation sequencing, metatranscriptomics, and bioinformatics to understand the impact of moisture on indoor environmental quality. Linking to climate change, her research explores the impact of weatherization and extreme weather events on indoor air quality, particularly in low income communities who may be at a higher risk for asthma. Her work aids in understanding indoor exposures from microorganisms and chemicals providing for a cleaner and sustainable indoor environment.

Team

Hosted by Kristof Irwin

Edited by Nico Mignardi

Produced by M. Walker