Michelle L. Bell, PhD
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Additional Titles
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Contact Info
School of the Environment
195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States
About
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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. 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. 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.
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
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0002-3965-1359- View Lab Website
Michelle Bell's Research Team
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Nicole Deziel, PhD, MHS
Brian Leaderer, MPH, PhD
Kevin Sheth, MD
Thomas M. Gill, MD
David Felson, MD, MPH
Kai Chen, PhD
Environmental Health
Publications
2026
Multi-year evaluation and application of the WRF-chem model for two major urban areas in Brazil - Part I: Initial application and model improvement
Schuch D, Zhang Y, Ibarra-Espinosa S, de Fatima Andrade M, Calderón M, Bell M. Multi-year evaluation and application of the WRF-chem model for two major urban areas in Brazil - Part I: Initial application and model improvement. Atmospheric Environment 2026, 364: 121577. DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121577.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWRF-ChemParameterization optionsWeather Research and Forecasting modelWind speedEvaluation of WRF-ChemSimulation of air qualityWRF-Chem modelTriple-nested domainsPositive biasSystematic biasMajor air pollutantsAir pollution levelsWind speed correctionSensitivity simulationsUrban fractionMeteorological variablesPM2.5 concentrationsEmission scenariosPollution levelsAir qualityAir pollutionLand useForecasting modelModel improvementLocal inventoryMulti-year evaluation and application of the WRF-chem model for two major urban areas in Brazil part II: Multi-Year evaluation and urban-centric analysis
Schuch D, Zhang Y, Ibarra-Espinosa S, de Fatima Andrade M, Calderón M, Bell M. Multi-year evaluation and application of the WRF-chem model for two major urban areas in Brazil part II: Multi-Year evaluation and urban-centric analysis. Atmospheric Environment 2026, 364: 121632. DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121632.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWRF-ChemSatellite observationsWeather Research and Forecasting modelWRF-Chem modelMulti-year evaluationPM2.5 performanceCloud fractionSatellite retrievalsObservations of radiationSurface stationsSpatiotemporal agreementO3 performanceMeteorological performanceEmission scenariosChemical observationsWind speedGrid resolutionImpact of O3Air qualityModel resultsForecasting modelMetropolitan areaAbsolute humidityPM2.5Urban areas
2025
Combined and synergistic effects of heat and fine particulate matter on hospitalization among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Spoto F, Zanobetti A, Delaney S, Gill T, Bell M, Dominici F, Braun D, Mork D. Combined and synergistic effects of heat and fine particulate matter on hospitalization among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Environmental Epidemiology 2025, 9: e440. PMID: 41293543, PMCID: PMC12643645, DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000440.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsOdds ratioEnvironmental stressorsConditional logistic regression modelsResidential zip codeCase-crossover designDaily heat indexSame-day associationsADRD populationLogistic regression modelsAir pollutionSynergistic effectHealth risksZip codesADRDHealth effectsContiguous USWarm seasonAlzheimer's diseaseHeat daysRegression modelsSynergistic effects of heatHospitalDementiaHealthInteraction termsA case-crossover analysis of short-term PM2.5 exposure and COVID19-related hospitalizations in the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative
Ward-Caviness C, Platt A, Fisher E, Weaver A, Bell M, Bravo M. A case-crossover analysis of short-term PM2.5 exposure and COVID19-related hospitalizations in the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative. Communications Medicine 2025, 5: 459. PMID: 41203787, PMCID: PMC12594757, DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-01063-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsCase-crossover analysisRandom-effects meta-analysisEffects meta-analysisAssociated with higher riskCore Based Statistical AreasAdverse associationShort-term PM2.5 exposurePM2.5 exposureCase-crossover approachExposure to fine particulate matterMeta-analysisAir pollution exposureDaily PM2.5 concentrationsConcentrations of PM2.5Fine particulate matterPollution exposureHospitalization riskCohort CollaborationGround-based monitoringUnited StatesPM2.5 concentrationsAverage PM2.5MethodsThis studyParticulate matterHospitalEvaluating associations between the transition to cleaner cooking energy use and hypertension in India
deSouza P, Lee J, Németh J, Mani S, Jain A, Kar A, Peel J, Al-Kindi S, Kinney P, Pillarisetti A, Ye W, Kim R, Subramanian S, Bell M, Simoes E. Evaluating associations between the transition to cleaner cooking energy use and hypertension in India. Environmental Research Health 2025, 3: 045008. DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/ae1755.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNational Family Health SurveyPrevalence of hypertensionNFHS-5Cardiovascular disease risk factorsIndia National Family Health SurveyDistrict levelDisease risk factorsFamily Health SurveyPublic health outcomesSolid fuel useHealth outcomesHealth SurveyHypertension prevalenceNFHS-4Socioeconomic groupsUrban/rural designationOlder populationSurvey designRisk factorsLarge-scale policiesPrevalenceCooking energy useAssociationSESNational levelCross‐Sectional Association of Ground‐Level Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide With Cardiac Mechanics Using Speckle‐Tracking Echocardiography in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Chang A, Kaufman J, Shah S, Tan A, Patel R, Margolis H, Psaty B, Gardin J, Al‐Kindi S, Austin T, Bell M, Chen K, Odden M. Cross‐Sectional Association of Ground‐Level Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide With Cardiac Mechanics Using Speckle‐Tracking Echocardiography in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Echocardiography 2025, 42: e70330. PMID: 41146536, PMCID: PMC12664112, DOI: 10.1111/echo.70330.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCross-sectional associationsAssociated with subclinical markersGround-level ozoneCommunity-dwelling older adultsLeft atrial reservoir strainSpeckle-tracking echocardiographyCardiovascular Health StudyGaseous air pollutants exposureAir pollution exposureNitrogen dioxideHealth StudyBaseline heart diseaseOlder adultsPollution exposureLogistic regressionStrain abnormalitiesBinary outcomesCardiovascular diseaseLongitudinal strainMarker of diastolic dysfunctionEarly diastolic strain rateAir pollutionImproved global air quality health index reveals ozone and nitrogen dioxide as main drivers of air-pollution-related acute mortality
Huang W, Li T, Masselot P, Xu R, Gasparrini A, Sera F, Bell M, Hashizume M, Breitner S, Tong S, Kan H, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Yu W, Yu P, Zhou S, Sun Q, Zhang J, Lavigne E, Madureira J, Guo Y, Gaio V, Li S, Guo Y, Network M, Pan S, Zanobetti A, Schwartz J, Tobias A, Íñiguez C, Ragettli M, Kim Y, Ng C, Diaz M, Arellano E, da Silva S, Orru H, Indermitte E, Maasikmets M, Schneider A, Honda Y, Huber V, Jaakkola J, Urban A, Vicedo-Cabrera A. Improved global air quality health index reveals ozone and nitrogen dioxide as main drivers of air-pollution-related acute mortality. One Earth 2025, 8: 101488. PMID: 41362416, PMCID: PMC7618329, DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101488.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsAir Quality Health IndexAir quality indexAir pollutionSingle-pollutant modelsMulti-pollutant modelsAmbient air pollutionContribution of pollutantsQuality IndexNONitrogen dioxidePollutionDaily mortalityAdditive modelMortality riskAcute mortalityOverall mortality riskGlobal significanceCombined effectsHealth indexAirTarget controlGlobal mortalityOzoneMortalityRiskAdvancing heat-related mental health research: moving beyond epidemiological links
Wortzel J, Lawrance E, Minor K, Boyle H, Wortzel J, Bell M, Yaggi H. Advancing heat-related mental health research: moving beyond epidemiological links. The Lancet Planetary Health 2025, 9: 101341. PMID: 41101320, DOI: 10.1016/j.lanplh.2025.101341.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricAnthropogenic climate change contributed to excess dengue risk related to hydrometeorological conditions in Brazil and China
Yu W, Li C, Royé D, Sera F, Ryti N, Bell M, Ebi K, Woodward A, Saldiva P, Coélho M, Wang H, Ma W, Liu Q, Yan J, Zhao Q. Anthropogenic climate change contributed to excess dengue risk related to hydrometeorological conditions in Brazil and China. One Earth 2025, 8: 101388. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101388.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsAnthropogenic climate changeClimate changeImpacts of anthropogenic climate changePalmer Drought Severity IndexHydrometeorological conditionsClimate actionHuman-induced climate changeHuman activitiesHigh urbanizationClimateDrought Severity IndexUrban characteristicsDengue riskModification effectBrazilEffects of urban characteristicsUrban planningChinaTypical countriesUrbanizationAssociation Between Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Severity of Acute Respiratory Infections Among Young US Children in the Major Cities in the United States: A Claims-based Cohort Study
Foo D, Regan A, Heo S, Schneider E, Canner J, Song Y, Bell M. Association Between Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Severity of Acute Respiratory Infections Among Young US Children in the Major Cities in the United States: A Claims-based Cohort Study. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2025, 12: ofaf442. PMID: 41141444, PMCID: PMC12548786, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf442.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsShort-term PM2.5 exposurePM2.5 exposureShort-term exposure to fine particulate matterIntensive care unitPrescription claimsClaims-based cohort studyExposure to fine particulate matterInterquartile range increaseAcute respiratory infectionsYoung US childrenChildren aged <5 yearsHealth insurance plansRisk of ICU admissionHospital-admittedLength of stayUS childrenInfluenza vaccination statusRange increasePrivate health insurance plansArea levelSeverity of acute respiratory infectionsHospital admissionCohort studyGeneralized linear modelInsurance plans
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
- 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
- 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