Natalie Sampson

Natalie Sampson, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She specializes in environmental health, community organizing, and environmental justice. Her affiliations include roles with the American Public Health Association, the Michigan Center on Lifestage Environmental Exposures and Disease, and the National Council for Environmental Health and Equity. She teaches courses on environmental health and community organizing, emphasizing practice-based learning in Metro Detroit.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan
• M.P.H. in Health Promotion, Portland State University
• B.S. in Environmental Studies, University of Michigan

Research interests focus on democratizing environmental health science and policymaking, particularly through community-based approaches. Key areas include environmental justice, youth leadership, and public participation in policymaking. She collaborates with community organizers, activists, and researchers to address systemic inequities in environmental health outcomes.

Her publications highlight trends in community-driven environmental justice advocacy, youth engagement in public health initiatives, and the importance of accessible policy language. Recent work emphasizes Detroit-focused issues like flooding resilience and air quality in industrial areas.

Advising and partnerships involve mentoring students in environmental health research and fostering collaborations with agencies, educators, and community groups. She co-founded initiatives like the Environmental Health Research-to-Action Youth Academy and contributed to projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge community benefits assessment.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with organizations such as the Michigan Center on Lifestage Environmental Exposures and Disease, the National Council for Environmental Health and Equity, and local Detroit community groups to advance environmental justice research and policy.