Jessica Green

Each of us carries a unique microbial signature: an unseen universe of microorganisms living in, on, and around us. Scientists call this the human microbial cloud, and these trillions of tiny creatures define who we are—essentially, and forensically. But we are only beginning to understand how our microbes interact with the people, buildings, and spaces around us. How do they make us healthier, more resilient, and more vibrant? How do they influence our moods, our longevities, our wellbeing, and our relationships?

In this visually stunning talk, Jessica Green explains how the DNA sequencing revolution has transformed our understandings of who we are. Drawing upon studies conducted with high-performing athletes, she shares how the people and products we touch, the food we eat, and the air we breathe all have important consequences for our public and private health. By studying the microbial world, we can better understand what we can (and can’t) change about our bodies, and our wellbeing. And with Green’s valuable insights, we’re offered a fascinating look at the rapidly changing future of microbiological medicine and technology.

Additionally, this keynote strikes at the heart of some of the most essential questions about human nature. What constitutes a human being, fundamentally? How do we define our place in the world? What does it mean to be an individual, unique in the universe? And where does personal identity begin and end? This is a very old but excitingly new frontier—and Jessica Green is our trusted guide.

More than ever, we spend our lives indoors. Our apartments, offices, and hospitals keep us densely packed, surrounded by our neighbors and coworkers, breathing recycled air and making continual physical contact. Our sealed-off environments mean our lives are radically different from our ancestors, or even recent generations—but what does this mean on a microbial level? And what does this mean for our health and well-being as city populations continue to explode?

In this mind-opening keynote, Jessica Green explores how a deeper understanding of microbes can help us create healthier buildings (and thus enjoy healthier lives, in and outside of work). This means reimagining how we design structures, air flow, plant life, and communal spaces to control allergens, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microbial forces. As we spend money on weatherizing and air conditioning our homes, designing layouts in offices to stimulate creativity, and creating clinics and labs in sterile environments, we must also turn to leading scientists like Green to discover how the invisible world has a profound aspect on our daily lives.

This talk has major implications for architects, designers, and health care professionals interested in making better, healthier buildings. It also comes with important takeaways for business leaders and HR professionals. If we can improve indoor environmental quality, we can improve the health and productivity of our employees, making ‘building wellness’ not only a matter of science, but of economics and finance as well.