Jessica Leibler, DrPH, MS

Jessica H. Leibler, DrPH ScM is an environmental epidemiologist in the Department of Environmental Health at BUSPH, and her research focuses on environmental exposures experienced by disadvantaged populations. Her work has two central themes: assessing causes and risk factors for chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt), specifically among youth Central America; and environmental transmission of pathogens through food systems. Dr. Leibler currently is the PI of a longitudinal cohort study of youth in Central America to study the origins of CKDnt and is engaged on multiple occupational studies in the region. She has studied antibiotic resistant bacterial transmission among industrial food animal workers in the Midwestern United States and the rise of novel zoonotic influenza viruses through animal agriculture, including influenza D virus. Dr. Leibler has also led research on antibiotic resistant bacterial infections and hygiene practices among people experiencing homelessness in Boston and has studied health disparities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Leibler is actively engaged in teaching and mentoring students. In 2017, she was awarded the top award for teaching at BUSPH, the Norman Scotch Award, and she received national recognition for teaching from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) as the recipient of the 2017 Early Career Public Health Teaching Award. Dr. Leibler holds a doctoral degree in Environmental Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental studies from Williams College.