Bullet-point Summary
- University of New England launches Institute of Public and Planetary Health
- Initiative funded by $5M gift from IDEXX founder David Evans Shaw
- Focus on links between environmental, animal, and human health
- Program integrates public health, environmental science, and policy disciplines
- Supports workforce development and research across Maine and beyond
- Builds on existing partnerships, including Maine Public Health Association
The University of New England (UNE) has announced the launch of the David Evans Shaw Institute of Public and Planetary Health, supported by a $5 million philanthropic gift from IDEXX Laboratories founder David Evans Shaw.
Advancing One Health–aligned education and research
The new institute is designed to advance interdisciplinary work at the intersection of environmental and human health, reflecting growing recognition of the interconnected nature of ecosystems, animal health, and public health.
Drawing on expertise across health sciences, public health, marine and environmental science, political science, and sustainable business, the institute will focus on complex challenges such as climate change, coastal resilience, aging populations, and mental health.
Building workforce capacity and collaboration
UNE aims to position the institute as a hub for research, collaboration, and workforce development, both within Maine and more broadly. The program emphasizes hands-on, team-based learning to prepare graduates to address real-world challenges across sectors.
A key component includes expanded partnerships, such as UNE’s role as the primary academic partner of the Maine Public Health Association, which connects students with more than 80 organizations for applied training in public health and policy.
Legacy of innovation and impact
The institute is named in honor of Shaw, whose career spans science-based entrepreneurship, impact investing, and innovation. His prior contributions to UNE include the Shaw Innovation Fellowship, launched in 2021 to promote interdisciplinary problem-solving among students.
Projects emerging from the fellowship have addressed topics including climate change, maternal health systems, and health disparities—areas aligned with the institute’s broader mission.
Positioning for future health challenges
University leadership says the institute reflects a broader shift in higher education toward addressing global health and environmental challenges through integrated, cross-disciplinary approaches.
By combining education, research, and community engagement, UNE aims to strengthen workforce readiness while contributing to solutions that improve both human and planetary health outcomes.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
