Simone Charles

Dr. Simone Charles is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She serves as Associate Chair of the Curriculum Committee and Director of the Certificate in Risk Science & Human Health. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology from Michigan State University, an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, and a BS in Natural Sciences from the University of West Indies, St. Augustine.

Dr. Charles' research spans several critical environmental health domains:

• Environmental exposure science and risk assessment modeling
• Health disparities related to environmental hazards
• Environmental justice and community engagement
• Climate change and health impacts
• Tobacco smoke exposure and chemical tracers
• Lead hazard exposure and healthy housing initiatives

Her work has evolved from traditional exposure science to focus on public health practice through academic-community partnerships addressing environmental health impacts on underserved communities. Dr. Charles has made significant contributions to migrant farmworker health, minority adolescent health, and asthma reduction initiatives, with her research directly informing state-level policy including Georgia's statewide strategic plan for lead exposure prevention.

Dr. Charles has received notable recognition including the 2013 NIH NIMHD Translational Health Disparities scholar designation and 2012 Health Equity Leadership Institute fellowship. She currently serves as Associate Editor for the Environmental Justice journal, demonstrating her leadership in this field.

As an educator, she teaches multiple courses including Environmental Toxicology in Communities, Infectious Disease and Emergency Response in Communities, and Climate, Justice, Health & Sustainability, emphasizing environmental health literacy and addressing disparities in underserved communities.