Gregory Wellenius, ScD Hear my name
Beverly A. Brown Professor for the Improvement of Urban Health
Boston University

ScD, Harvard School of Public Health
MSc, McGill University
BSc, McGill University



Gregory Wellenius serves as the Beverly A. Brown Professor for the Improvement of Urban Health, a Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Director of the Center for Climate and Health. He is an environmental epidemiologist committed to reducing the health threats of continued climate change through research, training, and engagement. He co-leads the NIH-funded CAFE Research Coordinating Center to support the global health and extreme weather research community and other efforts focused on building global capacity to accelerate climate and health research. Dr. Wellenius previously served as a visiting scientist with Google and currently serves on the Research Committee of the Health Effects Institute.

In partnership with a faculty, staff, and students from diverse disciplines, Dr. Wellenius’s research seeks to generate the actionable scientific evidence needed to ensure that our communities are as resilient, sustainable, and healthy as possible. Specifically, his group seeks to: 1) understand the adverse health impacts of extreme weather events, air pollution, and other climate-relevant hazards, 2) assess the effectiveness of strategies to reduce these adverse health impacts, and 3) leverage novel signals to provide timely and actionable insights to public health officials and other key stakeholders. For example, his recent publications highlight the risks posed by extreme heat to our physical and mental health, the limited health benefits of heat warnings and advisories, and the potential utility of data on internet search patterns and population mobility to inform public health.

Prior to joining the faculty at BU in 2020, Dr. Wellenius served as Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health and Director of Brown’s Center for Environmental Health and Technology. Prior to that, he earned dual doctorate degrees from the Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Cardiovascular Division of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital), and served as Instructor in Medicine at BIDMC and Harvard Medical School. He has published extensively on the cardiovascular effects of ambient air pollution, contributed to the US EPA’s 2009 Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter, provided invited expert testimony on this topic before the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, and served as a co-author of the 4th National Climate Assessment of the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). He is the 2019 winner of the ISEE Tony McMichael Mid-Term Career Award.

Professor
Boston University School of Public Health
Environmental Health


Director
Boston University School of Public Health
Center for Climate & Health




GeoCAFE - An RCN to Convene, Accelerate, Foster, and Expand Geosciences Research Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Human Health (C2H2)
05/15/2024 - 04/30/2029 (Multi-PI)
PI: Gregory Wellenius, ScD
National Science Foundation
RISE-2427815

MAPC Lower Mystic Cool Communications to Build Regional Heat Resiliency FY25/FY26 MVP Action Grant
10/24/2024 - 06/30/2026 (Subcontract PI)
Metropolitan Area Planning Council Comm of MA


CAFÉ: a Research Coordinating Center to Convene, Accelerate, Foster, and Expand the Climate Change and Health Community of Practice
05/10/2023 - 04/30/2026 (Multi-PI)
PI: Gregory Wellenius, ScD
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
1U24ES035309-01

Contributions of Prescribed Fire and Agricultural Burning to Air Quality and Health
12/01/2023 - 11/30/2025 (Subcontract PI)
Georgia Institute of Technology Health Effects Inst


Fostering Collaborations: A Symposium to Advance Equitable Heat Health Actions
03/23/2025 - 09/30/2025 (Subcontract PI)
Metropolitan Area Planning Council Doris Duke Fdn


Longitudinal effects of Air Pollution Exposures on Lung growth and development of biomarker of lung function deficit in Urban Children
10/01/2020 - 09/30/2025 (Subcontract PI)
JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research DBT/Well. Tr India A


Gateway Exposome Coordinating Center (GECC) for Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementia
08/01/2024 - 07/31/2025 (Subcontract PI)
University of Southern California NIH NIA
1U24AG088894-01

Evaluation of Municipal Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in the United States
04/01/2020 - 04/01/2024 (PI)
Wellcome Trust


Contributions of Prescribed Fire and Agricultural Burning to Air Quality and Health
12/01/2022 - 11/30/2023 (Subcontract PI)
Georgia Institute of Technology Health Effects Inst


Contributions of Prescribed Fire and Agricultural Burning to Air Quality and Health
12/01/2021 - 11/30/2023 (Subcontract PI)
Georgia Institute of Technology Health Effects Inst


Showing 10 of 14 results. Show All Results


Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

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  1. Stowell JD, Maji KJ, Li Z, Hu Y, Vaidyanathan A, Milando C, Russell AG, Kinney PL, Odman MT, Wellenius GA. Associations between PM2.5 from prescribed burning and emergency department visits in 11 Southeastern US states. Environ Int. 2025 Sep; 203:109770.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40914101; DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109770;
     
  2. Agrawal T, Phuleria HC, Mohan A, D'Souza G, Thimmulappa R, Jayaraj BS, Mani MR, Patil S, Samdarshi P, Nori-Sarma A, Wellenius G, Mahesh PA. Rationale and methodology of a multicentric prospective cohort study on 'Longitudinal Effects of Air Pollution Exposure on Adolescent Lungs (APEAL)' in urban India: APEAL protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Aug 12; 15(8):e106329.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40803718; PMCID: PMC12352163; DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106329;
     
  3. Lin Z, Wellenius GA, Jay J. Examining associations between street vegetation and child firearm violence at microgeographic locations in 3 US cities: a case-control study. BMC Pediatr. 2025 Aug 07; 25(1):605.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40775757; PMCID: PMC12330152; DOI: 10.1186/s12887-025-05971-4;
     
  4. Metzger A, Baharav Y, Mitchell P, Nichols L, Saunders B, Arlak A, Finke M, Gottemoeller M, Shickman K, Baughman McLeod K, Wellenius GA. Heat Wave Beliefs and Behaviors in Southern Spain. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Jul 31; 22(8). PMID: 40869782; PMCID: PMC12386305; DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22081196;
     
  5. Adams QH, Gause EL, Baker RE, Hamer DH, Werneck GL, Hutyra LR, Shioda K, Wellenius GA. Impact of weather extremes on the spatiotemporal dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 Jul; 19(7):e0013316.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40720386; PMCID: PMC12303289; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013316;
     
  6. Kelley JC, Hartwell C, Mix EC, Gridley-Smith C, Wellenius GA, Nori-Sarma A, Hess JJ, Errett NA. Extreme heat preparedness and response implementation: a qualitative study of barriers, facilitators, and needs among local health jurisdictions in the United States. Environ Res Health. 2025 Sep 01; 3(3):031002.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40708678; PMCID: PMC12284719; DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/adf08b;
     
  7. Hoover C, Trivedi AN, Bello A, Culpepper WJ, Hoover GG, Gasper J, Gaither R, Jiang L, Rennix C, Schneiderman A, Wellenius GA, Woskie SR, Savitz DA. Deployment to Military Bases With Open Burn Pits and Mental Health Conditions and Injury Mortality Among US Veterans. J Occup Environ Med. 2025 Nov 01; 67(11):e783-e790.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40662966; DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003493;
     
  8. Mahesh PA, Kaleem Ullah M, Greeshma MV, Patil S, Samdarshi P, Veerabhadraiah H, Khayum A, Agrawal T, Phuleria HC, D'Souza G, Wellenius G, Nori-Sarma A, Ponnuraj L, Mahadevaswamy SKK, Mayigaiah SC, Thimmulappa RK, Mohan A. Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Indian Adolescents: Insights From the APEAL Study. Clin Exp Allergy. 2025 Sep; 55(9):795-807.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40625107
     
  9. Romitti Y, Sue Wing I, Spangler KR, Wellenius GA. The effects of residential air conditioning and social vulnerability on heat-related hospitalizations in California. Environ Int. 2025 Aug; 202:109659.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40652595; PMCID: PMC12519414; DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109659;
     
  10. Bello A, Savitz DA, Rennix C, Jiang L, Trivedi AN, Wellenius GA, Woskie SR. The impact of burn pit waste segregation practices on respiratory and cardiovascular health risks among US military veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Environ Health. 2025 Jul 01; 24(1):40.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40598547; PMCID: PMC12211290; DOI: 10.1186/s12940-025-01195-2;
     
Showing 10 of 254 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 254 publications over 25 distinct years, with a maximum of 24 publications in 2019

YearPublications
20001
20021
20032
20041
20054
20064
20072
20087
20098
20102
20116
201212
20137
201412
201514
20165
201711
201819
201924
202016
202121
202221
202317
202422
202515


Heat crisis: El Paso deaths soar to record levels

El Paso Matters 8/21/2025

El Paso’s heat is killing in record numbers

Inside Climate News 8/17/2025

These Cities Are Taking Action Against Extreme Heat

TIME 7/29/2025

Extreme Heat Linked to Accelerated Aging in Older Adults, Study Finds

New York Times 2/26/2025

Heat kills thousands in the U.S. every year. Why are the deaths so hard to track?

Seattle Times 8/27/2024

Heat Kills Thousands in the U.S. Every Year. Why Are the Deaths So Hard to Track?

New York Times 8/23/2024

Heat-related Texas deaths climb after Beryl left millions without power for days or longer

Associated Press 7/21/2024

How to stay safe in the Texas heat

Texas Tribune 7/2/2024

Car crashes rise, test scores plummet: The hidden ways extreme heat affects our bodies and our minds

Fast Company 6/26/2024

Here's why an Arizona medical examiner is working to track heat-related deaths

NPR 6/11/2024

We Are Underestimating the Health Harms of Climate Disasters

The Brink 4/22/2024

The human cost of climate-related disasters is acutely undercounted, new study says

NPR 2/29/2024

‘Safe’ air-quality levels in US, UK and EU still harmful for health, study says

The Guardian 2/21/2024

Climate change is impacting babies’ birth weight

Thred 1/11/2024

Most New England states don’t track ‘heat-related’ deaths. Experts say that’s a problem

WBUR 8/31/2023

Return of El Niño raises risk of hunger, drought and malaria, scientists warn

The Guardian 8/10/2023

‘Silent killer’: experts warn of record US deaths from extreme heat

The Guardian 8/1/2023

The climate change-health nexus

Politico 5/19/2023

Warm days are contributing to gun violence surge across the US, says study of 100 cities

Medical Xpress 12/16/2022

Air pollution linked to almost a million stillbirths a year

The Guardian 11/29/2022

A Different Heatwave Warning: Online Hate—Like Violent Crime—Soars With High Temperatures, Study Suggests

Forbes 9/7/2022

Climate change is turning air conditioning into a matter of life and death. But government help is lacking

Medical Xpress 8/11/2022

Deaths of 3 women in early heat wave raise questions, fears

Associated Press 5/28/2022

Summer Heat Can Drain Mental Health

BU Today 3/11/2022

Science News | Study Says Extreme Heat is Linked to Rise in Mental Health Emergency Care

Latestly 2/27/2022

Extreme Heat Linked to Increase in Mental Health Emergency Care

Neuroscience News 2/27/2022

Hot days lead to more mental health emergencies, study finds

The Guardian 2/23/2022

Extreme heat raises risk for mental health crises in U.S., study finds

United Press International 2/23/2022

Global heating linked to early birth and damage to babies’ health, scientists find

The Guardian 1/15/2022

Climate crisis increasing risk of premature birth and childhood illness

The Independent 1/15/2022

Extreme Heat Could Impact Young and Middle-Aged Adults More than Older Adults

BU Today 1/11/2022

Which population does extreme heat affect the most?

News Medical 12/16/2021

Hot Days Can Send Even Younger Folks to the ER

US News & World Report 11/29/2021

Extreme heat may impact younger people more than elderly - study

Jerusalem Post 11/27/2021

This Squad of Researchers Is a Real-Life Justice League

BU Today 10/27/2021

Campus Reacts to BU’s Commitment to Divest from Fossil Fuels

BU Today 9/24/2021

Hidden Toll of the Northwest Heat Wave: Hundreds of Extra Deaths

The New York Times 8/11/2021

Cooling Aid Shifts From Luxury To Necessity For Some In Mass.

WBUR 7/23/2021

As Temperatures Set Records, Heat Exposure Hits Some Neighborhoods Harder than Others

BU Today 6/25/2021

Ticks and Mosquitoes, Infectious Disease Carriers, Are Expanding Their Range

BU Today 6/16/2020

2025 Boston University School of Public Health: Excellence in Research Mentoring Award
2021 Future of Privacy Forum: Award for Research Data Stewardship
2019 International Society for Environmental Epidemiology: Tony McMichael Mid-Term Career Award
2018 Brown University School of Public Health: Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching
2004 Harvard School of Public Health: Edgar Haber Award in Biological Sciences
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Climate Change
Epidemiology
Environmental Health
Extreme Heat
Hurricanes
Claims, Healthcare Administrative
Contact for Mentoring:
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