Jennifer Lai

Jennifer Lai serves as Assistant Professor of Sociology within the Department of Sociology at the University of Vermont's College of Arts and Sciences, maintaining her office at 31 South Prospect Street, Room 104 in Burlington, VT.

Her academic journey includes:

• B.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University (2010)
• Ph.D. in Sociology from Michigan State University (2021)

Dr. Lai's research program centers on environmental sociology and feminist science studies, critically examining knowledge production across medical, agricultural, and higher education contexts. Her current investigations explore environmental contributors to type 2 diabetes and social infrastructure dynamics in rural communities. She teaches specialized courses on the American healthcare system and intersectional research methodologies while directing the Prospect Laboratory for undergraduate research development.

Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent thematic threads connecting agricultural decision-making, environmental health disparities, and spatial inequalities. Her work demonstrates sophisticated integration of feminist STS frameworks with empirical studies of power structures across diverse settings from farming communities to healthcare systems.

Through the Prospect Laboratory, Dr. Lai cultivates undergraduate research capacity by introducing foundational social theory and methodological training. While specific grant details remain unreported, her laboratory functions as a critical nexus for student engagement in sociological inquiry.

No scientific awards were documented in the available institutional materials.