Tessa Bonney

Tessa Bonney is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She leads the SPH Success Program and mentors students in the Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Safety programs through the Great Lakes Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health (2019)
• M.P.H. in Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health (2016)
• B.S. in Biology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL (2012)

Dr. Bonney's research focuses on employment precarity and its impact on worker health, especially among low-wage and underemployed populations in high socioeconomic hardship communities. Her work integrates public health, occupational safety, and policy to promote health equity and worker justice. She investigates how insecure work arrangements affect behavioral and physical health outcomes and explores interventions through labor-health collaborations and technical assistance.

Her recent publications highlight trends in precarious employment, hazardous occupational exposures, and policy responses, particularly in marginalized communities. The research spans quantitative analysis of national cohorts and qualitative assessments of workforce development programs, showing a strong commitment to interdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship.

Scientific Awards and Certifications:

• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Board for Global EHS Credentialing
• Certified in Public Health (CPH), National Board of Public Health Examiners

Dr. Bonney serves as Principal Investigator on a CDC/NIOSH-funded grant examining employment precarity and adverse behavioral health outcomes in national longitudinal cohorts. She actively contributes to academic-practice partnerships, providing technical assistance to labor and public health sectors. She teaches and mentors students in industrial hygiene and occupational safety, shaping future public health professionals.

She is affiliated with the Great Lakes Center for Occupational Health and Safety and plays a key role in the SPH Success Program, supporting student success and inclusion within the School of Public Health.