Andrea Baccarelli

Andrea Baccarelli is an Italian American epigeneticist and clinical endocrinologist, best known for his academic contributions in the field of epigenetics, mitochondriomics, and computational epigenomics, with a research focus on investigating the impact of environmental exposures on human health.^[1] He currently serves as the 10th dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.^[2]

Andrea Baccarelli
10th Dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2024
Preceded by	Jane Kim (interim)
Personal details
Born	Italy
Citizenship	American, Italian (Dual citizenship)
Education	PhD, University of Milan MPH, University of Turin MD, University of Perugia
Scientific career
Fields	Environmental health sciences, epigenetics, mitochondriomics, and computational epigenomics
Institutions	National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics Universita' degli Studi di Milano Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Education and career

Baccarelli graduated cum laude with a medical degree from the University of Perugia, Italy in 1995, obtained his Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Turin, Italy, and his Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene from the Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Italy, in 2003.^[3]

He completed his residency in endocrinology at the University of Milan and his postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (2000–2004).^[4]

Baccarelli has served as the Dean of the Faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health since January 2024. He previously taught at the Harvard Chan School as the Mark and Catherine Winkler Associate Professor of Environmental Epigenetics from 2010 to 2016.^[5]

He also served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health from 2016 to 2023.^[6][7] While at Columbia, he led the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health and Justice in Northern Manhattan, which brought together scientists, advocates, community organizations and the public to understand health concerns caused by environmental exposures and to address inequities.^[8]

Baccarelli's research has pioneered the field of public health epigenetics, which explores how environmental factors can modify gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.^[9] His studies have demonstrated that air pollution can alter the epigenome, leading to changes in gene regulation that may contribute to the development of diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative conditions.^[10][11]

Baccarelli conducted research showing that short-term exposure to air pollution, including levels considered "acceptable," can impair cognitive ability in the elderly.^[12][13][14] Baccarelli also found that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin partially protected against the negative cognitive effects of pollution.^[15] He also conducted research showing that ambient air pollution is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures in older individuals.^[16][17]

Awards and recognition

In 2020, Baccarelli was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.^[18] He has also been an active member of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, serving as the society's president from 2022 to 2023.^[19]

Baccarelli was recognized as the “Person of the Year” by the City of Perugia, Italy.^[20][21]

In 2024, he was honored as the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Hans L. Falk Memorial Lecture Award recipient, recognizing his contributions to environmental health sciences.^[22]