A day at the GPSA Expo 2026: Sharing research on wildfire smoke in Idaho

By Shahriar Md Arifur Rahman

On March 13, 2026, I had the opportunity to present the first study of my dissertation research at the 2026 GPSA Annual Graduate Expo at the University of Idaho, held at the Bruce Pitman Center. The event brought together graduate students from various disciplines to share their research and creative work in a public, engaging format. It was a valuable space for scholarly exchange, allowing presenters to discuss their projects with faculty, peers, and judges, while also learning about the wide spectrum of work being done throughout campus.

My poster analyzed Idaho people' perceptions of wildfire smoke risk and the factors influencing their decisions to undertake preventative measures. Using survey data and particulate matter exposure data, the study explored how factors such as residency history, recent smoke exposure, and psychological perceptions help explain why some individuals respond more strongly to wildfire smoke than others. The project contributes to ongoing conversations about environmental risk, public health, and behavioral adaptation in smoke-prone regions.

This study explicitly examines the notion that people do not respond to wildfire smoke based only on the physical presence of smoke in the air. Their responses are also influenced by experience, familiarity, and their interpretation of risk. In Idaho, where wildfire smoke has become a persistent seasonal concern, long-term inhabitants and newcomers may perceive smoke differently. My research investigates whether repeated exposure may cause certain individuals to normalize smoking over time, thereby diminishing their urgency to engage in preventative measures. The study combines social survey data with long-term exposure estimates, providing a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between environmental conditions and human perceptions in shaping behavior. This is important because understanding these patterns can help improve public health communication and support more effective responses to wildfire smoke in vulnerable communities.

Presenting this work at the expo was a rewarding experience. It provided an opportunity to explore the broader implications of the study, receive thoughtful questions and feedback, and reflect on how to communicate complex findings in a more accessible way. I appreciated the opportunity to represent our lab and the department, share part of my dissertation journey, and engage with a community of researchers working on diverse and important topics.