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Michelle L. Bell, PhD

she/her/hers
Mary E. Pinchot Professor at the School of the Environment and Professor of Environmental Health; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

Contact Information

Michelle L. Bell, PhD

Mailing Address

  • School of the Environment

    195 Prospect Street

    New Haven, CT 06511

    United States

Appointments

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.

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)

Activities

  • Landslides and mental health
    Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia 2018
    Landslides and mental health
  • Air pollution, temperature, and health
    Seoul, Seoul, South Korea 2016
    Air pollution, temperature, and health
  • Pollution - Heat-Related Mortality in Latin American Cities
    São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile; Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico 2008
    Professor 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.
  • Pollution, Sandstorms, & Hospital Admission
    China; Taiwan 2008
    Professor Bell is examining the relationship between air pollution, sandstorms, and hospital admissions in Taiwan.

Honors & Recognition

AwardDate
National Academy of Medicine2020

Professional Service

OrganizationRoleDate
Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), U.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.2021 - Present

Departments & Organizations