Sustainability Leadership Fellow Cohort: 2025-2026

Ph.D. Student, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences

Research Summary: Many households in developing countries rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking, producing harmful smoke that is linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. My research focuses on understanding how household air pollution affects people’s health, particularly in rural communities. I use data from two projects, one in Honduras, where families used an improved cookstove, and another in Rwanda, where homes are transitioning to cleaner cooking and lighting options. By analyzing changes in inflammation and blood pressure levels, my research provides evidence on how cleaner energy solutions can improve health and reduce disease risks in these communities.