Environmental leaders gather to discuss the Chesapeake Bay and human health at the Symposium on Chesapeake Bay, Human Health and Eco-Toxicology hosted by the INstitute of Marine and Environmental Technology on May 14th and 15th.

"Stop acting like we're bulletproof" urged Congressman Elijah Cummings at the kick off of a two-day conference on the Chesapeake Bay and human health at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, May 14-15.

Maryland scientists and environmental leaders gathered to discuss the Chesapeake Bay and human health at a statewide symposium. The event brings together leading scientists from the University System of Maryland and policy makers from State and federal agencies to address critical problems in the Bay related to human health, such harmful algal blooms and toxic substances in the Bay.

The opening ceremony included remarks from Dr. Russell Hill, Interim Director, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Dr. Jay Perman, President, University of Maryland Baltimore, Chancellor William "Brit" Kirwan, Chancellor, University System of Maryland, Attorney General Doug Gansler, State of Maryland, Congressman Elijah Cummings, U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Donald Boesch, President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

The symposium takes place in the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), a new University System of Maryland research center at the Inner Harbor. This unique strategic alliance involves scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the University of Maryland Baltimore and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. IMET's scientists are involved in cutting-edge research in microbiology, genetic analysis and biotechnology, using marine life to develop new drug therapies, alternative energy and other innovations to improve public health and economic opportunities.