Professor and Chair, Environmental and Occupational Health
Public Health

Spatial epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, environmental disparities, exposure modeling, GIS

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My research involves epidemiologic analyses of health data for examining the contributions of known risk factors and environmental exposures to the underlying pattern of disease risk with a particular emphasis on the importance of location. I work extensively with geographic methods to model environmental exposures and identify communities where health risks are elevated. A current focus of my research is the health effects of environmental exposures in children. For a new NIEHS study of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), I will be working with colleagues at UCI, UC Berkeley and Yale to examine associations with childhood cancers in local Orange County and Los Angeles County communities with contaminated drinking water. Another recent study will investigate the health benefits of portable air cleaners in LA Unified elementary schools located in communities with poor air quality. As a researcher with the Boston University Superfund Research Program for the past 15 years, I have investigated spatial and chemical/non-chemical patterns of cancer, reproductive outcomes, ADHD-related behaviors, and risky behaviors. Another current grant applies spatial statistics to assess geographic location as a barrier to receiving adequate ovarian cancer treatment in California and the effects of air pollution on survival. My work also includes international collaborations with researchers in France, Sweden, Portugal, Denmark, and Italy.

A full list of my published work is available at My NCBI Bibliography:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/41165235/?sort=date&direction=descending

UCI PFAS Health Study (CDC/ATSDR U01 TS000308; PI: Bartell; 2019 – 2024) Role: Co-I. This study, along with other studies in the CDC/ATSDR PFAS multi-site health study, will determine whether modelled and measured serum concentrations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with a variety of cross-sectional health outcomes in child and adult participants.

HI-FIVE - Health Impacts of Filtration ImproVements in Elementary Schools (California Air Resources Board 20RD015, 2021-2025). Role: Principal Investigator. The overall goal of this study is to investigate the possible health benefits directly associated with PM2.5 exposure reduction through improved filtration in elementary schools in a highly exposed community in Southern California.

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and risk of cancer in children (NIEHS R01ES032196-01A1, 2021-2024) Role: Principal Investigator (MPI). The goal of this transdisciplinary study is to fill major gaps in knowledge about PFAS routes of exposure during pregnancy and early life, and their subsequent impact on cancer risk in children. No previous epidemiologic studies have assessed childhood cancer risk associated with PFAS exposures.

Understanding Occupational Exposures to PFAS among Orange County Firefighters (CA Firefighter Cancer Prevention Full Award F01FF8764, 2024-2027). Role: Principal Investigator. The goal of this project is to conduct PFAS biomonitoring of OCFA firefighters (1000+) and identify possible occupational exposures routes.

ISEE, ISES, SER

Associate Professor
Boston University 2010—2011

Assistant Professor
Boston University 2006—2010

Environmental Health Sciences

Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research

Link to this profile
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5993

Last updated
06/18/2025