Genee S. Smith

Genee S. Smith, PhD, MSPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University. She is also affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions. Her research integrates environmental epidemiology, spatial analysis, and exposure assessment to advance environmental justice and reduce place-based health disparities.

Education:

• PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2013
• MSPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009
• BS, Fayetteville State University, 2005

Dr. Smith's research focuses on the disproportionate impacts of climate change and neighborhood-level environmental exposures—such as air pollution, extreme weather, and degraded infrastructure—on vulnerable populations. She leverages large national datasets and conducts community-based participatory research to address structural inequities in the built, natural, and social environments. Her work is deeply rooted in social determinants of health, racial disparities, and environmental justice.

Her recent publications (2024–2025) reflect a strong trend in climate and health equity, structural determinants of vulnerability, environmental racism, and community-academic partnerships. Themes include gentrification and healthcare access, urban heat and mental health, and frameworks for equitable research and policy action.

Scientific Awards:

• American Lung Association Lung Health Dissertation Grant
• NIEHS Environmental Epidemiology Predoctoral Training Grant
• Sigma Xi International Scientific Research Honor Society
• Joan Cornoni-Huntley Scholarship, UNC Chapel Hill
• Graduate Tuition Incentive Scholarship, UNC Chapel Hill

Dr. Smith is actively involved in mentoring, teaching, and collaborative research. She teaches courses such as Environmental Justice and Public Health Practice and participates in the Exposure Sciences & Environmental Epi Journal Club. She collaborates extensively across disciplines and is committed to training the next generation of public health scientists through community-engaged scholarship.

Laboratories & Research Teams: While no specific lab name is mentioned, Dr. Smith is active in research networks related to environmental justice, health disparities, and climate resilience, particularly through her affiliation with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions and her collaborative publications.