Rob Scot McConnell

Overview

Dr. Rob Scot McConnell is a Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences and Spatial Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). He directs the NIH/EPA-supported Southern California Children’s Environmental Health Center and co-directs the NIEHS T32 training program in environmental genomics. His research focuses on the health effects of air pollution, particularly on children’s respiratory and neurological health, including asthma, cardiovascular disease susceptibility, and autism spectrum disorder. He also investigates environmental determinants of obesity and metabolic disorders, e-cigarette hazards, and the co-benefits of clean air policies.

Affiliations

• Keck School of Medicine of USC
• Southern California Children’s Environmental Health Center (Director)
• NIEHS-supported Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center (Career Development Program Co-Director)
• EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Particulate Matter Panel

Dr. McConnell’s work bridges epidemiology, environmental health, and public policy, with a focus on translating scientific findings into actionable health and environmental policies.

Research Interests

His research spans multiple disciplines, including:

• Air Pollution Health Effects: Long-term impacts on respiratory and cardiometabolic health, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and adolescents.
• Environmental Exposures and Neurodevelopment: Investigating links between air pollution, prenatal exposures, and autism spectrum disorder.
• Metabolic Health: Studying how environmental pollutants contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
• E-cigarette Risk Assessment: Evaluating the respiratory and behavioral health consequences of vaping among youth.
• Policy and Public Health: Quantifying the health co-benefits of air quality improvements and tobacco control measures.

Scientific Awards and Honors

• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Member of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)

Grants and Funding

Dr. McConnell leads NIH- and EPA-funded studies on environmental health, including projects on autism, obesity, and tobacco product regulation. His work has been continuously supported by federal grants for over two decades.

Labs and Collaborations

He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at USC and globally, including partnerships with the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center and the USC Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science.