Rachel Morello-Frosch

I am a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.  As an environmental health scientist and epidemiologist, my research examines social determinants of environmental health among diverse communities in the US with a focus on social inequality, psychosocial stress and how these factors interact with environmental chemical exposures to produce health inequalities. My work has examined this environmental justice question in the context of ambient air pollution, drinking water quality, climate change as well as prenatal exposures to environmental chemicals and effects on developmental outcomes.  I also collaborate with other scientists and community partners to leverage public data as well as apply community-based participatory research methods to carry out much of my research, including developing study protocols, conducting data collection and leveraging research results to improve policy.  In collaboration with researchers, regulatory scientists, and community partners, I have developed scientifically valid and transparent tools for assessing the cumulative impacts of chemical and non-chemical stressors to improve regulatory decision-making and advance environmental justice in California.