Michelle L. Bell, PhD
she/her/hers
Mary E. Pinchot Professor and Sr. Assoc. Dean of Research and Director of Doctoral Studies at the School of the Environment and Professor of Environmental HealthDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Contact Info
School of the Environment
195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States
About
Titles
Mary E. Pinchot Professor and Sr. Assoc. Dean of Research and Director of Doctoral Studies at the School of the Environment and Professor of Environmental Health
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Biography
Dr. Michelle Bell is the Mary E. Pinchot Professor of Environmental Health at the Yale University School of the Environment, with secondary appointments at the Yale School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Division; the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs; and the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Environmental Engineering Program. Her research investigates how human health is affected by atmospheric systems, including air pollution and weather. Other research interests include the health impacts of climate change and environmental justice. Much of this work is based in epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental engineering. The research is designed to be policy-relevant and contribute to well-informed decision-making to better protect human health and benefit society. She is the recipient of the Prince Albert II de Monaco / Institut Pasteur Award, the Rosenblith New Investigator Award, and the NIH Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award. Dr. Bell holds degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. in Environmental Engineering), Stanford University (M.S. in Environmental Engineering), University of Edinburgh (M.Sc. in Philosophy), and Johns Hopkins University (M.S.E. in Environmental Management and Economics and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering). She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Last Updated on May 10, 2025.
Appointments
School of the Environment
ProfessorPrimaryChemical and Environmental Engineering
ProfessorSecondaryEnvironmental Health Sciences
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- MSc
- University of Edinburgh, Philosophy (2020)
- PhD
- Johns Hopkins University, Environmental Engineering (2002)
- MS
- Johns Hopkins University, Environmental Management and Economics (1999)
- MS
- Stanford University, Environmental Engineering (1994)
- BS
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Environmental Engineering (1992)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Environmental Health; Epidemiology
Public Health Interests
Environmental Health; Epidemiology Methods; Climate Change
ORCID
0000-0002-3965-1359- View Lab Website
Michelle Bell's Research Team
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Michelle L. Bell's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Michelle L. Bell's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Michelle L. Bell is interested in exploring.
Nicole Deziel, PhD, MHS
Brian Leaderer, MPH, PhD
Kevin Sheth, MD
Thomas M. Gill, MD
Yiqun Ma
Kai Chen, PhD
383Publications
131,246Citations
Environmental Health
Publications
2025
Human Health Impacts of Energy Transitions across the United States among Sociodemographic Subpopulations for the Year 2050
Stewart R, Kim H, Choi H, Song Y, Zhang Y, Gillingham K, Esty D, Hobbs B, Bell M. Human Health Impacts of Energy Transitions across the United States among Sociodemographic Subpopulations for the Year 2050. Environmental Science And Technology 2025, 59: 11995-12007. PMID: 40498102, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c14326.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHuman health impactsConcentration-response functionsAmbient fine particlesImprove air qualityMonetized health benefitsGreenhouse gas emissionsEnvironmental health inequalitiesBaseline incidence ratePollution levelsAir qualityContiguous United StatesFine particlesHealth impactsGas emissionsMitigation strategiesSensitive to assumptionsFossil fuel productionPopulation projectionsFuel productionEconomic benefitsCobenefitsEnergy scenariosPollutionHealth benefitsEnergy transition policiesDisparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and other animal feeding operations across multiple states in USA
Son J, Lewis B, Bell M. Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and other animal feeding operations across multiple states in USA. Journal Of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 2025, 1-8. PMID: 40481211, DOI: 10.1038/s41370-025-00783-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsAt-risk populationsDisadvantaged communitiesNon-Hispanic blacksStudy investigated disparitiesLow educational levelLow socioeconomic statusAnimal feeding operationsUS statesSocioeconomic statusFeeding operationsCensus variablesHispanic populationEducation levelExposure groupExposure metricsMinority personsDisparitiesEnvironmental justiceExposure disparitiesAssess exposureIncome levelRacial/ethnic minority personsPolicy developmentHealth risksExposure intensityEffect modification by cardiovascular and metabolic disease onset on long-term PM2.5 exposure and mortality: a nationwide cohort study
Jang H, Park J, Lee E, Kang D, Moon J, Song I, Ahn S, Kim A, Kang C, Oh J, Kwon D, Min J, Kim E, Bell M, Kim H, Lee W. Effect modification by cardiovascular and metabolic disease onset on long-term PM2.5 exposure and mortality: a nationwide cohort study. Scientific Reports 2025, 15: 19570. PMID: 40467860, PMCID: PMC12137577, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-04498-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLong-term PM2.5 exposureEffect modificationPM2.5 exposureEstimate effect modificationPM2.5-mortality associationsPopulation-representative cohortTarget specific interventionsMyocardial infarctionNationwide cohort studyNon-accidental deathsEffects of PM2.5PM2.5-mortalityRisk of PM2.5Preemptive careCox regression modelsHTN/DMCohort studyHazard ratioDisease onsetCerebrovascular diseaseRegression modelsMetabolic disease onsetCohortRenal diseaseMortalityEstimating the urban heat-related mortality burden due to greenness: a global modelling study
Wu Y, Wen B, Ye T, Huang W, Liu Y, Gasparrini A, Sera F, Tong S, Lavigne E, Roye D, Achilleos S, Ryti N, Pascal M, Zeka A, de'Donato F, da Silva S, Madureira J, Mistry M, Armstrong B, Bell M, Schwartz J, Guo Y, Li S, Network M. Estimating the urban heat-related mortality burden due to greenness: a global modelling study. The Lancet Planetary Health 2025 PMID: 40318693, DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(25)00062-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsHeat-mortality associationsEnhanced vegetation indexHeat-related deathsMortality burdenIncreased greennessMeta-regression modelsGlobal model studiesUrban areasCollaborative research networksModeling studiesHeat-related mortalityMeta-analytic approachDaily mortalityHealth impactsResearch NetworkHealth impacts of heat exposureRandom forest modelPublic health threatVegetation indexWarm seasonMulti-countryMean temperatureImpact of heat exposureDaily temperatureMitigation strategiesEffects of Prenatal Exposure to PM2.5 Chemical Components on Adverse Birth Outcomes and Under-5 Mortality in South Korea
Byun G, Choi Y, Lee J, Bell M. Effects of Prenatal Exposure to PM2.5 Chemical Components on Adverse Birth Outcomes and Under-5 Mortality in South Korea. Epidemiology 2025, 36: 531-540. PMID: 40257114, PMCID: PMC12118620, DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001868.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAdultAir PollutantsChild MortalityChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantInfant MortalityInfant, Low Birth WeightInfant, NewbornInfant, Small for Gestational AgeLogistic ModelsMaleMaternal ExposureParticulate MatterPregnancyPregnancy OutcomePremature BirthPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsRepublic of KoreaConceptsAdverse birth outcomesAssociated with adverse birth outcomesBirth outcomesRisk of preterm birthExposure to PMPreterm birthLow birth weightAssociated with increased odds of PTBIncreased risk of PTBOdds of preterm birthAssociations of prenatal exposureUnder-5 mortalityExposure to fine particulate matterPopulation of South KoreaAssociated with increased oddsPrenatal exposureAge 5 yearsDeath recordsBirth weightBirth recordsUnder-5Pregnancy exposureEffects of prenatal exposureEffect estimatesLogistic regressionHealth disparities associated with exposure to animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, USA
Son J, Bell M. Health disparities associated with exposure to animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, USA. Environmental Research Letters 2025, 20: 054011. DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/adc291.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDisproportionate health burdenInvestigate health disparitiesHealth burdenExposure and mortalityCause-specific mortalityCerebrovascular diseaseNorth CarolinaHigher mortality riskAssociated with higher riskHealth disparitiesBinary exposureMortality riskIndividual-levelCommunity-levelInvestigate riskEvidence of health risksLogistic regressionExposure metricsZip-codeHigh riskDiabetes mellitusDisparitiesHealth risksExposure intensityZIPThe Health Impacts of Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuel Toward Cleaner Energy
Bell M, Gillingham K. The Health Impacts of Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuel Toward Cleaner Energy. Annual Review Of Public Health 2025, 46: 315-330. PMID: 40215137, DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-071723-024649.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsIncreasing public transportationGreenhouse gasesEnergy efficiency measuresElectric vehiclesPublic transportWalkable cityPedestrian pathwaysEmissions of greenhouse gasesEnergy transitionCleaner environmentFossil fuelsEfficiency measuresPublic healthWin-win strategyEnvironmental justiceEnergy systemsSlow climate changeBrake wearHealthy societyIncreased emissionsSustainable energy sourcesExtreme Heat and Hospitalization Among Older Persons With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias
Delaney S, Stegmuller A, Mork D, Mock L, Bell M, Gill T, Braun D, Zanobetti A. Extreme Heat and Hospitalization Among Older Persons With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias. JAMA Internal Medicine 2025, 185: 412-421. PMID: 39899291, PMCID: PMC11791774, DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.7719.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsCase-crossover designOdds ratioPopulation-based cohort studyMedicare fee-for-serviceBurden of Alzheimer's diseaseConditional logistic regressionFee-for-serviceOR point estimatesRisk of hospitalizationADRDOlder PersonsOlder adultsMain OutcomesPopulation subgroupsWhite beneficiariesDiagnosis codesCohort studyEffect estimatesHealth burdenLogistic regressionCounseling patientsCumulative ORAlzheimer's diseaseIncreased hospitalizationOutdoor heatTemporal trends in the association between temperature and firearm mortality
Choi H, Heo S, Bell M. Temporal trends in the association between temperature and firearm mortality. Environmental Research 2025, 275: 121384. PMID: 40081650, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121384.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirearm mortalityPublic health initiativesLow socioeconomic statusConditional logistic regressionFirearm mortality dataFirearm death ratesHealth inequalitiesMortality trendsAttributable fractionHealth initiativesCase-crossoverMortality dataSocioeconomic statusRacial/ethnic groupsTargeted interventionsBlack/African AmericanStratified analysisVulnerable populationsLogistic regressionWhite populationHealth impactsDeath rateFirearm deathsRace/ethnicityTemporal trendsEvaluating the environmental justice dimensions of odor in Denver, Colorado
deSouza P, Rees A, Oscilowicz E, Lawlor B, Obermann W, Dickinson K, McKenzie L, Magzamen S, Miller S, Bell M. Evaluating the environmental justice dimensions of odor in Denver, Colorado. Journal Of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 2025, 1-10. PMID: 39984671, DOI: 10.1038/s41370-025-00760-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsCensus block groupsDepartment of Public HealthSocioeconomic dataLocation of facilitiesAmerican Community SurveyEnvironmental justice challengesEnvironmental justice dimensionsBlock groupJustice challengesWorkplace disparitiesCommunity SurveyIntensity categoriesPublic healthDisparitiesJustice dimensionsExposure disparitiesShape disparityImpactOur studyComplaintsCensusThemes
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Activities
activity Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)
06/22/2021 - PresentAdvisory BoardsMemberDetailsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyThe Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) provides independent advice to the EPA Administrator on the technical bases for EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards.activity Landslides and mental health
01/01/2018 - PresentResearchDetailsJakarta, Indonesiaactivity Air pollution, temperature, and health
01/01/2016 - PresentResearchDetailsSeoul, South Koreaactivity Pollution - Heat-Related Mortality in Latin American Cities
01/01/2008 - PresentResearchDetailsSão Paulo, SP, Brazil; Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile; Mexico City, CDMX, MexicoAbstract/SynopsisProfessor Bell investigates how weather is associated with heat in Latin America, and in particular how heat-related mortality may differ by socio-economic status (SES). The project also examines the effects of air pollution on mortality, whether these relationships differ by SES, and looking at air pollution and weather together. The work is based on three cities: Santiago, Chile, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Mexico City, Mexico.
activity Pollution, Sandstorms, & Hospital Admission
01/01/2008 - PresentResearchDetailsChina; TaiwanAbstract/SynopsisProfessor Bell is examining the relationship between air pollution, sandstorms, and hospital admissions in Taiwan.
Honors
honor National Academy of Medicine
12/01/2020National AwardDetailsUnited States
News
News
- September 24, 2024
Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke associated with higher risk of death
- August 21, 2024
Wildfires: what you need to know to stay safe
- May 16, 2024
Yale Climate Experts Speak Out About Climate Change
- October 18, 2023Source: CT Public
Summer wildfires drove up asthma cases in NYC emergency rooms. What does that mean for CT?
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School of the Environment
195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States