Heather E. Volk

Heather E. Volk is a Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with joint affiliations in Environmental Health and Engineering and Epidemiology. Her research focuses on identifying gene-environment interactions and the effects of prenatal and early-life exposures on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She holds a PhD from Saint Louis University (2006), an MPH from Boston University (2002), and a BA from the University of Notre Dame (2000).

Her work integrates genetics, biomarkers, and environmental exposure data to explore mechanisms linking pollutants like air pollution to neurodevelopmental risks. Key areas include maternal metabolic conditions, mitochondrial DNA, and dietary influences on child outcomes. Collaborations span institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Kaiser Permanente.

Recent studies examine associations between air pollution and ASD risk mitigation via folic acid, as well as sex-based differences in psychopathology among ASD children. Awards include recognition from Autism Speaks (2012) and the Autism Science Foundation (2014).

Volk advises PhD students and leads NIH-funded projects through the ECHO program. Her lab focuses on large-scale cohort studies, with over 111 publications since 2005. Active research tracks include placental epigenetic aging, prenatal chemical mixtures, and maternal mental health impacts.