John Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, and Director of the JPB Environmental Health Fellowship Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has conducted research on air pollution health effects, indoor air pollution, and a variety of environmental sustainability issues. Several of his investigations have focused on housing design and its effects on ventilation rates, building materials’ selection, energy consumption, and total environmental quality in homes. Spengler’s current research focuses on health and the built environment and the wellbeing benefits of exposure to Nature. Recently, his efforts included assessing COVID mitigation strategies for schools, airports and aircraft. Now, Spengler and his team are focused on adaptation to mitigate extreme heat, particularly in vulnerable urban neighborhoods.

Spengler earned a Master of Science in environmental health sciences from Harvard University, Master of Science from the Harvard School of Public Health, and PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from University at Albany, SUNY. He established the Harvard Green Campus Initiative in 2000 and chaired the university-wide committee on Harvard sustainability principles. He has been an advisor to the World Health Organization on indoor air pollution, personal exposure, and air pollution epidemiology.

In 2003, Spengler received a Heinz Award for the Environment; in 2007, he received the Air and Waste Management Association Lyman Ripperton Environmental Educator Award; and in 2008 he was honored with the Max von Pettenkofer award for distinguished contributions in indoor air science from the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate's Academy of Fellows.