Ana María Rule

Ana María Rule is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is affiliated with several key research centers, including the Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health, the P.O.E. Total Worker Health® Center, and the CHARMED Center, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus on environmental and occupational health.

Education:

• PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2005)
• MHS, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (1998)
• BS, Universidad Iberoamericana (1983)

Dr. Rule’s research centers on the development and evaluation of novel sampling and analytical methods for assessing exposure to biological aerosols, e-cigarette aerosols, particulate matter, and environmental metals. Her work combines field studies—particularly in agricultural and healthcare settings—with controlled laboratory experiments to improve exposure assessment techniques. She investigates the public health implications of antibiotic resistance transmission via bioaerosols and the health risks posed by metal exposure from e-cigarettes. Her recent publications highlight her expertise in occupational health, indoor air quality, environmental justice, and health disparities, particularly in vulnerable populations such as agricultural workers and women of color.

Analysis of her most recent articles reveals a consistent focus on exposure science, environmental monitoring, and health equity. Her work spans methodological development (e.g., sensor calibration), epidemiological studies (e.g., sleep apnea and air quality), and community-based research (e.g., tribal health and hair salon exposures). She frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across epidemiology, microbiology, and aerosol physics.

Scientific Awards:

• Fulbright Scholarship (1996–1998)
• NIOSH Pilot Grant (1999, 2003)
• David L. Swift Award in Environmental Health Engineering (2000, 2005)
• Reconocimiento a la Superación Académica (2001–2002)
• Teaching Excellence, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2010–2021)

Dr. Rule has been actively involved in mentoring and teaching, including instructing courses such as 'Laboratory Techniques to Measure Environmental and Occupational Contaminants.' She leads the TracE Analytical Metals (TEAM) Lab and has secured research funding through grants like those from NIOSH. Her work often involves community engagement and addresses regional environmental determinants of disease.

She is associated with several research labs and collaborative networks, particularly through her leadership in the TEAM Lab and her participation in multidisciplinary projects focused on worker health, environmental exposure, and health disparities.