Nicole Iroz-Elardo, PhD

I have over a decade of experience understanding the health trade-offs around dense built environments and associated transportation systems. This includes deep expertise in morbidity and mortality impacts associated with physical activity, environmental exposures, and the ability to reach health promoting goods and services. I am an international leader in monetizing the health impacts of transportation & land use decisions.

My research is deeply informed by a commitment to health equity. In addition to showing disparate potential impacts of land use and transportation plans, I am continually evaluating and reconceptualizing walkability to incorporate social & cultural norms.

My current research goals are also informed by reducing vehicular travel strategies such as reducing parking requirements or safely introducing alternative modes such as e-scooters. This is because both climate change and public health crisis desperately need a new mobility norm that makes roads safe for all ages, abilities, and road users.

More recently, I've begun looking at the health behavior implications of personal heat exposure in a changing climate. For example, I supported keeping volunteers and clients safe during outdoor COVID vaccine drives and guided evaluation efforts around cool pavement pilots at the municipal level.

I am currently interested in understanding how unhoused populations manage during extreme events; and how to support healthy habits such as public physical activity, particularly in high heat outdoor environments.