Jordi Sunyer

Jordi Sunyer is a Research Professor at ISGlobal (Barcelona Institute for Global Health) and Professor in Preventive Medicine and Public Health at Pompeu Fabra University, where he is affiliated with the Department of Public Health in the School of Health Sciences. He is a leading figure in environmental epidemiology, with over 25 years of experience in studying the impact of early-life environmental exposures on child health.

His research centers on the environmental origins of neurodevelopmental and cardiorespiratory diseases, particularly the effects of air pollution, endocrine disruptors, and POPs on asthma, obesity, lung function, and brain development in children. He has pioneered large-scale birth cohort studies in Spain, including the INMA and BiSC projects, and leads major international initiatives such as the ERC Advanced Grants BREATHE and AIR-NB.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on air pollution’s impact on cognitive function, brain structure, and attention in schoolchildren, utilizing advanced methods like MRI imaging and longitudinal cohort designs. His work bridges epidemiology, neuroscience, and public policy.

Scientific Awards:

• John Goldsmith Prize (2014) – The most prestigious award in environmental epidemiology

Advising and Grants: He has served as principal investigator on multiple high-impact international grants, including ERC Advanced Grants. He has mentored numerous researchers through collaborative projects and has been instrumental in translating research into public health policy, contributing to WHO guidelines, UN-IPCS reports, and government commissions.

Labs and Teams: He founded and chairs the INMA and BiSC birth cohort consortia in Spain and leads research teams at ISGlobal and Pompeu Fabra University focused on environmental health and child development.