David J.X. González, PhD (he/him/él)
Principal Investigator / Investigador Principal
I’m an Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. I study the health impacts of extractive industries and climate-driven disasters, with a focus on health inequities. My published work has contributed to public health and environmental policymaking.
[UC Berkeley profile, Professional website]
Anali Casarrubias
Latinx Research Center Fellow / Becaria del Centro de Investigación Latinx
Paulina Castro Nava, MPH (she/her/ella)
DrPH Student / Estudiante de Doctorado de Salud Pública
I am a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at UC Berkeley. Originally from Oxnard, CA, I earned my Bachelor’s in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Master of Public Health and Certificate in Public Health Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. My years working in community health centers, local government, and community-based research inspire me to focus my research in mapping the health inequities from climate change, as well as to co-develop the healing opportunities for a just transition into environmental justice.
Xing Gao, PhD
Affiliated Researcher / Investigadora Afiliada
I am a social epidemiologist and a UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. Leveraging epidemiologic and geospatial methodologies, my research investigates the relationships between structural drivers, place, and the well-being of racialized communities. I hold a PhD in Epidemiology and an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from UC Berkeley, along with a BA in Geography and International Studies from Macalester College. [LinkedIn]
Marcela Muñoz Pizza, PhD
Affiliated Researcher / Investigadora Afiliada
In my current position I am an assistant professor in the Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California. I am engaged in research that focuses on environmental justice, particularly in extreme heat events and air pollution exposure. My work also focuses on community-based adaptations and nature-based solutions to enhance resilience among vulnerable populations. My other research lines focus on environmental economic valuation through non-market valuation methods and public participation in water management.
Jazlyn Ragio, BA
MPH Student / Estudiante de Maestría de Salud Pública
I am a second-year Master of Public Health student in the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Program, pursuing a minor in Racism, Health, and Social Justice. My current research interests include investigating the impact of climate change on maternal health outcomes, with a specific focus on marginalized and minoritized populations. Originally hailing from New Jersey, I hold a BA in Neuroscience from Wellesley College. [LinkedIn]
Lara Schwarz, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar / Becaria Postdoctoral
I am a postdoctoral scholar in Environmental Health Sciences at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. I hold a Bachelor’s in Environment from McGill University, a Master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology from San Diego State University (SDSU), and a PhD in Global Health through the UC San Diego-SDSU Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health. My research focuses on the intersection of climate and health, examining the impacts of harmful exposures such as extreme heat and wildfire smoke on public health, and associated health disparities. Ongoing work includes studying the adverse health effects of extreme weather events on populations living in the United States-Mexico border region and investigating factors contributing to their social vulnerability. [LinkedIn]