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
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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. She serves as the Senior Associate Dean of Research and Director of Graduate Studies for the Yale School of the Environment. Her research investigates how human health is affected by atmospheric systems, including air pollution and weather. 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. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Last Updated on March 12, 2026.
Appointments
School of the Environment
ProfessorPrimaryChemical and Environmental Engineering
ProfessorSecondaryEnvironmental Health Sciences
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- MSc
- University of Birmingham, Global Ethics and Justice (Philosophy)
- MSc
- University of Edinburgh, Philosophy
- PhD
- Johns Hopkins University, Environmental Engineering
- MS
- Johns Hopkins University, Environmental Management and Economics
- MS
- Stanford University, Environmental Engineering
- BS
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Environmental Engineering
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Environmental Health; Epidemiology
Public Health Interests
Climate Change; Environmental Health; Epidemiology Methods
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
Thomas M. Gill, MD
Brian Leaderer, MPH, PhD
Kai Chen, PhD
Kevin Sheth, MD, FAHA
David Felson, MD, MPH
429Publications
141,257Citations
Environmental Health
Publications
2026
High-resolution projections of extreme heat and thermal stress in southeastern U.S.
Lu S, Do K, Zhang Y, Chen X, Leung R, Bell M. High-resolution projections of extreme heat and thermal stress in southeastern U.S. Weather And Climate Extremes 2026, 52: 100878. DOI: 10.1016/j.wace.2026.100878.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsWeather Research and ForecastingPseudo Global WarmingHigh-resolution projectionsHeat daysExtreme heatLand–atmosphere couplingLand surface conditionsHigh-resolution simulationsShared Socioeconomic PathwaysRegional dynamicsSynoptic anomaliesAtmospheric circulationRadiative forcingSoil moisture depletionSocioeconomic PathwaysDominant driverCurrent climateNorth CarolinaAggressive mitigationClimate changeSpatial characteristicsGlobal warmingSurface conditionsMoisture depletionMaximum temperatureTemporal variation in the association between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter and mortality across subpopulations in North Carolina and Michigan, U.S.
Stewart R, Kim H, Song Y, Choi H, Chen C, Choi Y, Bell M. Temporal variation in the association between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter and mortality across subpopulations in North Carolina and Michigan, U.S. Epidemiology 2026 PMID: 41849246, DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001977.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsPM2.5-mortality associationsPM2.5-mortalityShort-term exposure to fine particulate matterEnvironmental health disparitiesNon-Hispanic blacksCase-crossover analysisNon-Hispanic whitesExposure to fine particulate matterNorth CarolinaFine particulate matterOdds of mortalityStudy periodHealth disparitiesSociodemographic variablesYears of ageOdds ratioParticulate matterMortality impactEducational attainmentHealth impactsTemporal variationTemporal trendsOddsDisparitiesAssociationDensity of animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and cancer incidence: A county-level ecological study across three U.S. states
Son J, Deziel N, Bell M. Density of animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and cancer incidence: A county-level ecological study across three U.S. states. Environmental Research 2026, 299: 124298. PMID: 41856233, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124298.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCancer incidenceIncidence rate ratiosStratified analysisCounty-level ecological studySite-specific cancersUS statesIndividual-level dataPublic health implicationsPotential public health implicationsControl countiesExposed countiesRate ratiosCancer typesIncidence dataEnvironmental health risksHealth implicationsPropensity scoreCountyStatistical significanceExposure assessmentHealth risksEcological studiesAssociationLongitudinal approachGeographic regionsImpacts from sector-specific energy policies on mortality: Co-benefits and socioeconomic disparities across three midwestern states in the year 2050
Stewart R, Farzad K, Zhang Y, Gillingham K, Hobbs B, Esty D, Bell M. Impacts from sector-specific energy policies on mortality: Co-benefits and socioeconomic disparities across three midwestern states in the year 2050. Environmental Research 2026, 299: 124288. PMID: 41839343, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124288.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCo-benefitsFine particulate matterClimate change mitigation strategiesGreenhouse gas emissionsParticulate matterEnvironmental justice indexMidwestern U.S.Gas emissionsPolicy scenariosMitigation strategiesEducational isolationEnergy policy scenariosStatistical lifeCensus tract levelMidwestern stateEffects of policiesSociodemographic subpopulationsSocioeconomic disparitiesReference levelDisadvantaged populationsExposureConcentrationEnergy policyExpected mortalityPolicy casesAssociations between ambient exposure to styrene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes and hospitalizations in the US Gulf region
Choi Y, Wang C, Warren J, Woo J, Engel L, Baek B, Bell M. Associations between ambient exposure to styrene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes and hospitalizations in the US Gulf region. Environmental Research 2026, 298: 124217. PMID: 41802659, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124217.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInterquartile range increaseAmbient concentrationsRespiratory hospitalizationsRange increaseAmbient concentrations of benzeneHealth impactsConcentrations of benzeneHazardous air pollutantsCase-crossover designConditional logistic regressionAdverse health outcomesPublic health attentionLow ambient concentrationsBTEX exposureHealth outcomesAir pollutionBTEXMedicare beneficiariesOlder adultsHealth attentionBenzene concentrationExposure estimatesHospitalization riskGulf regionLogistic regressionUnequal exposures, unequal attention: advancing environmental health research in rural areas
Deziel N, Bell M. Unequal exposures, unequal attention: advancing environmental health research in rural areas. Environment International 2026, 209: 110173. PMID: 41797195, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2026.110173.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLeave no one behind: a call to include people with disabilities in climate change and health research
Kim S, Kim Y, Park J, Kim R, Lee W, Bell M, Lee J. Leave no one behind: a call to include people with disabilities in climate change and health research. The Lancet Planetary Health 2026, 101440. PMID: 41771283, DOI: 10.1016/j.lanplh.2026.101440.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsClimate change-related health risksDisability-related characteristicsHealth of peopleHealth databasesClimate changeSociodemographic factorsHealth researchHealth dataHealthEpidemiological studiesDisability-related informationDisabilityHealth risksPeopleKnowledge gapsVulnerability patternsIndirect impactAdaptation strategiesClimatePopulationPersonal viewBillion peopleIntegrating mobility data into air pollution research for public health
Wang Q, Bell M, Zhang Y. Integrating mobility data into air pollution research for public health. Nature Health 2026, 1: 280-289. DOI: 10.1038/s44360-026-00056-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAir pollution epidemiologyAir pollution health impactsPublic health interventionsTemporal variabilityHealth inequalitiesAir pollution researchHealth interventionsExposure misclassificationExposure trajectoriesVulnerable populationsVariability of exposureGlobal health riskPollutant concentrationsScalable opportunitiesPremature deathPollution researchHealth impactsPublic healthAir pollutionHealth risksExposure estimatesExposure assessmentEquitable environmentRisk assessmentHealthThe joint impact of temperature, humidity, and air pollution on COVID-19 incidence: a multi-country time-series study in 439 cities
Wagatsuma K, Feurer D, Yu W, Xu R, Riffe T, Kniffka M, Acosta E, Armstrong B, Mistry M, Lowe R, Royé D, Hashizume M, Tobias A, Vicedo-Cabrera A, Madaniyazi L, Sheng Ng C, Íñiguez C, Ragettli M, Lavigne E, Correa P, Ortega N, Kyselý J, Urban A, Orru H, Indermitte E, Maasikmets M, Breitner-Busch S, Schneider A, Honda Y, Alahmad B, Zanobetti A, Schwartz J, Carrasco G, Holobâca I, Kim H, Lee W, Bell M, Scovronick N, Acquaotta F, de Sousa Zanotti Stagliorio Coelho M, Diaz M, Félix Arellano E, Michelozzi P, Stafoggia M, de'Donato F, Rao S, Seposo X, Tong S, Klompmaker J, Guo Y, Masselot P, Gasparrini A, Sera F. The joint impact of temperature, humidity, and air pollution on COVID-19 incidence: a multi-country time-series study in 439 cities. Environment International 2026, 208: 110090. PMID: 41621133, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2026.110090.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsElevated PM2.5Air pollutionEnvironmental stressorsEffects of environmental stressorsEffects of meteorological conditionsShort-term effectsCity-specific estimatesAir qualityInteraction effectsQuasi-Poisson modelExposure-response associationsMeteorological factorsDaily COVID-19Meteorological conditionsTime-series studyImpact of temperaturePollutionCold-dry conditionsIndices of temperatureMultiple citiesComposite indexStressorsJoint impactMultilevel random effects meta-analysesRelative humidityBrazil is already experiencing the brutal impacts of climate change
Lorenz C, Cavendish T, de Azevedo T, Bell M, Nardocci A, de Fátima Andrade M, Nogueira T. Brazil is already experiencing the brutal impacts of climate change. Revista De Saúde Pública 2026, 60: e6. PMID: 41711897, PMCID: PMC12904542, DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2026060007009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsClimate changeImpacts of climate changeClimate adaptation policiesClimatic eventsProlonged dry periodsComprehensive risk assessmentDiverse ecosystemsSevere climatic eventsWidespread deforestationBrutal impactAdaptation policiesRisk assessmentDry periodGlobal climate dynamicsDeforestationWeather eventsDeepening inequalitiesClimateBrazilExcessive rainfallWildfirePublic health crisisEcosystemVulnerable populationsDisease outbreaks
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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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
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News
- February 24, 2026
School News
- October 30, 2025Source: Why Should I Trust You?
A model for public health in the age of mistrust
- 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
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School of the Environment
195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States