Samantha Gailey

Samantha Gailey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University (MSU), holding a joint appointment in Public Health. She is part of MSU’s inaugural class of 1855 Professors, focused on advancing social and environmental justice. Her work bridges epidemiology, psychology, and geography to address health disparities linked to greenspace inequities and structural racism.

Education:

• PhD in Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine (2021)
• BA in Psychology, Gettysburg College (2015)

Research Focus:

• Environmental justice and greenspace access
• Maternal/child health disparities
• Racial segregation and neighborhood effects
• Causal inference methods

Her interdisciplinary approach uses community engagement, ambulatory assessments, and big data analytics to inform equitable policy solutions.

Key Contributions:

• Explores links between greenspace and birth outcomes
• Examines mobility patterns and obesity
• Assesses impacts of unexpected job loss on health

Her research aims to create healthier, more sustainable communities through evidence-based interventions addressing systemic inequities.