Matilda van den Bosch

Matilda van den Bosch is a physician and PhD holder in Landscape Planning and Public Health. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia (School of Population and Public Health and Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences) and holds senior research roles at ISGlobal (Spain), the European Forest Institute (Italy), and Lund University (Sweden). Her research focuses on urban nature’s impact on health, particularly childhood development and neurodevelopmental outcomes. She has advised major organizations like WHO, UN Environment, and the US EPA, and edited the Oxford Textbook of Nature and Public Health (2018). Key areas include greenness exposure metrics, climate change mitigation co-benefits, and environmental health equity. Her work bridges epidemiology, ecology, and urban planning to promote human and ecosystem health.

Education & Positions:

• PhD in Landscape Planning and Public Health
• Medical degree (trained physician)
• Adjunct Professor, UBC
• Senior Researcher, ISGlobal/European Forest Institute
• Affiliate Researcher, Lund University Faculty of Medicine

Research Interests:

• Urban nature’s role in mental/physical health
• Childhood health and neurodevelopment
• Environmental exposure assessments (air pollution, noise)
• Climate change adaptation strategies
• Green infrastructure policy

Awards & Recognition:

• Primary editor of Oxford Textbook of Nature and Public Health (2018)

Grants & Collaborations:

• BlueHealth Initiative (EU-funded)
• Green4C Alliance (interdisciplinary green health research)
• Global health partnerships with UN agencies

Labs & Networks: Collaborates with ISGlobal’s Biocities Facility, UBC’s environmental health teams, and the European Forest Institute’s research networks.