Bio: Dr. Mayumi Ishizuka earned her Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from Hokkaido University in 1998 and began her career as a researcher at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan. In 2000, she joined the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine at Hokkaido University as an Assistant Professor, and since 2010, she has been serving as a Professor, heading the Laboratory of Toxicology. Her research focuses on the health risks posed by environmental pollutants, particularly in developing regions like Africa. Since 2009, she has led large-scale projects addressing environmental contamination, including a multidisciplinary initiative in Zambia to tackle lead pollution starting in 2015. This project brought together over 200 researchers to study the mechanisms of high-concentration lead contamination, predict its toxic effects on humans and animals, and propose sustainable solutions. In addition to her work on environmental toxicology, she is particularly interested in studying interspecies and interstrain differences in sensitivity to environmental chemicals. Her work contributes to understanding how various organisms, including wildlife and humans, respond differently to chemical exposures.

Abstract: In Africa, rapid resource development has placed significant pressure on the environment, leading to widespread ecological challenges. Among them, lead contamination stands out as one of the most critical global environmental issues. It is estimated to cause 900,000 deaths annually and significantly reduces healthy life years for millions of people. In Africa, lead poisoning continues to claim lives, particularly in regions heavily impacted by mining activities. Since 2015, we have been conducting a project in Zambia to address the issue of lead contamination and its impacts. Our research has revealed alarmingly high blood lead levels among residents in some communities, posing severe health risks. The project is conducted under the framework of the One Health concept, which integrates the health of humans, animals, and the environment, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex challenges. In this project, we aim to uncover the mechanisms driving high levels of lead contamination in the region. We also strive to predict the toxicological effects on both humans and animals and propose practical solutions to mitigate these impacts. By sharing our findings, we hope to contribute to the global effort to tackle environmental pollution and its consequences on health and ecosystems.