Global Environmental Health LAB

Julie Hollenbeck, Ph.D, MA

President, GEH LAB Board of Directors

Dr. Hollenbeck is a human and environmental health researcher, with extensive experience in science communication and program management. She has worked in oceans and human health science for more than 10 years. She attained her Master’s degree in Marine Policy from the University of Miami, and her PhD in health research from the Peninsula College of Medicine through the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth. Dr. Hollenbeck’s research interests include environment and human health, harmful algal blooms, and environmental access inequity. Her recent research focuses on the influence of segregation and nature access inequities among African Americans.

Nicholas Davis, MS

Treasurer, GEH LAB Board of Directors

Nico is a Senior Consultant in Healthcare Analytics, a teacher assistant for a public health informatics course, and an avid bikepacker. His work focuses on health outcomes data reporting and visualization from various data sources that helps educate on health system disparities. Nico has previously worked as an HIV/STI data analyst for Howard Brown Health in Chicago, where he focused on population and socio-economic disparities that exist in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This includes extensive work in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Hepatitis B, and treatment of HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis. He received his Masters of Science in Epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he focused his health research on the global burden of infectious diseases and STIs. As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served as a high school Chemistry and Physics teacher, and as one of the National Coordinators for Mozambique’s Science Fairs for the Treatment of HIV/AIDS, Nico has a passion for environmental health education and science.

Marie LeGrand, MPH

Secretary, GEH LAB Board of Directors

Marie LeGrand is the Director of Education & Healthcare Relations for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). Ms. LeGrand is a strong supporter in promoting health equity and has work diligently with many organizations in breaking down systematic barriers, which contributes to health inequities. She currently manages the development and delivery of medical education programs nationwide, working closely with all stakeholders including patients, healthcare professionals, and other organizations in providing education on multiple sclerosis (MS) and disease-modifying therapies for individuals living with MS. She is also instrumental as a grant management specialist, health research, writing and submitting proposals to appropriate funders, as well as monitoring fiscal and programmatic aspects of funded projects. Marie LeGrand received her Master of Public Health degree from Loma Linda University, with a career focus in health promotion, population medicine and health policy primarily within underserved communities.

Kyoko Kusakabe, Ph.D., MsC

GEH LAB Board of Directors

Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe is a Professor at Gender and Development Studies, Department of Development and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. Her health research and work focuses on gender and migration, and women in the informal economy especially in the Mekong region countries. She has extensive experience working with government and NGOs to integrate gender perspectives in their policies and programs. Prior to moving into academia she worked with an NGO in Cambodia.

Herto Dwi Ariesyady, Ph.D. ST, MT

GEH LAB Board of Directors

Dr. Herto is a Senior Lecturer of the Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) localed in Bundung, Indonesia. He also serves as the Director of Facilities and Infrastructure of ITB. He received a scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology during pursuing his Ph.D. from Hokkaido University, Japan. He also received several international trainings supported by United Nation Development Programme and UNESCO-IHE. He is passionate about teaching environmental health and advising student health research.

Jennifer Gray, Ph.D., MPP

GEH LAB Board of Directors

Dr. Gray is an Professor of the Public Health Program at Northern Illinois University, College of Health and Human Sciences. She has worked with vulnerable populations and has expertise in work stress and end-of-life services challenges as well as health promotion behaviors and access to health services for persons with disabilities. Dr. Gray earned her PhD from the Division of Community Health Sciences of the UIC School of Public Health with a concentration in Gerontology. She holds a master's in public policy from the University of Chicago. While working on her doctorate health research, she was a predoctoral fellow in the Gerontological Public Health Training Program at IHRP.