Prof. Bhavna Shamasunder
Title & Affiliation
Professor
University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)
Specialization
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Justice
- Urban Health Disparities
- Community-Based Research
- Chemical Exposures
- Public Health and Policy
Biography
Professor Bhavna Shamasunder teaches and conducts research in environmental health and justice, with a focus on the disproportionate and cumulative environmental burdens experienced by urban communities of color. Her work is grounded in community-based research and is carried out in close partnership with populations most affected by industrial pollution.
Her research investigates the health impacts of living near urban oil drilling sites, particularly in Los Angeles, and examines how environmental exposures contribute to health inequities. In addition, she studies how consumer product marketing and usage—especially beauty products—can lead to unequal chemical exposures among women of color, highlighting the intersection of environmental justice, public health, and social inequality.
Professor Shamasunder’s work has been supported by leading research institutions, including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Science Foundation, and the California Breast Cancer Research Program, reflecting the significance and applied impact of her scholarship.
Education
- Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
- M.ES. Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
- B.S./B.A., University of California, San Diego (Biology and Development Studies)