Dr. Linda Tomasso | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Linda Tomasso, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, United States

Dr. Linda Powers Tomasso is an environmental health scientist specializing in the intersection of nature exposure, human well-being, and sustainable urban development. With a PhD in Population Health Sciences from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, she has pioneered research on nature affinity and its role in public health. Her work integrates epidemiology, sustainability, and policy to develop innovative solutions for climate adaptation and urban resilience. She has led multiple NIH-funded projects exploring the cognitive and emotional benefits of green spaces and their implications for urban planning. A sought-after speaker and researcher, Dr. Tomasso collaborates internationally to promote evidence-based policies for environmental health. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans sustainability science, global health, and urban ecology. Through her extensive teaching and mentorship roles, she is shaping the next generation of environmental scientists dedicated to improving public health outcomes through sustainable practices and nature-based interventions.

Professional Profile

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Suitability for the Research for Research Excellence Award – Dr. Linda Powers Tomasso

Dr. Linda Powers Tomasso is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Research Excellence Award due to her extensive contributions to environmental health, sustainability, and public health research. With a Ph.D. in Population Health Sciences from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a strong interdisciplinary background, she has demonstrated excellence in investigating the relationship between nature, human health, and sustainability. Her research focuses on nature affinity, urban green spaces, and climate change adaptation, which are critical areas in contemporary public health and environmental science.

Her work as a Principal Investigator on multiple funded projects highlights her leadership in developing AI-driven visualization tools for climate adaptation and studying the health impacts of urban green spaces. She has successfully secured significant research grants, including $150,000 from the REI Cooperative Fund and over $500,000 from MQDC Corporation in Thailand, demonstrating her ability to attract substantial funding for high-impact research. Furthermore, her collaborations with international organizations and governmental bodies, such as NOAA and the NIH, illustrate her global research influence.

🎓 Education

Dr. Tomasso holds a PhD in Population Health Sciences from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where her research explored the health impacts of nature engagement. She was a Harvard Presidential Scholar and received funding from the NIH and REI Foundation. She earned an MA in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University, focusing on carbon reduction strategies and land use accounting, earning an Outstanding Thesis Award. She also holds an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, where she was a research assistant to Dr. Madeleine Albright. Her undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Notre Dame, where she graduated magna cum laude with dual majors in American Studies and Spanish, including an exchange year at Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City. Her diverse academic background integrates environmental science, diplomacy, and sustainability, contributing to her holistic approach to environmental health research and policy development.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Tomasso is a Research Associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, leading multiple projects on environmental health and urban resilience. She is the principal investigator on an NIH-funded study developing AI visualization tools for nature-based climate adaptation. She has conducted extensive research on workplace well-being, urban green spaces, and socio-demographic barriers to nature access. Previously, she worked with the Center for Health and the Global Environment, overseeing research on sustainability in China and organizing international conferences. She has collaborated with NOAA on blue carbon sequestration projects and contributed to urban sustainability research in Thailand. As an educator, she has designed and taught courses at Harvard Extension School, focusing on sustainability and quantitative analysis. Her work integrates cutting-edge research with applied solutions for public health and urban planning, emphasizing the importance of nature in mitigating environmental and health challenges in the face of climate change.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Dr. Tomasso has been widely recognized for her contributions to environmental health research. She received the Harvard Presidential Scholar Award for academic excellence and leadership. Her doctoral research was funded by the NIH National Research Service Award and the REI Cooperative Fund, highlighting its significance in public health. She was awarded the Outstanding Thesis Award for her master’s work on greenhouse gas inventories at Harvard University. Additionally, she secured grants from the Harvard NIEHS Center for Environmental Health to develop community-based visualization tools for climate resilience. She has been invited to speak at global conferences on sustainability and urban health. Her work has received over 70 citations, emphasizing its impact on environmental health policy. Through her research, funding success, and academic accolades, Dr. Tomasso has established herself as a leader in bridging the gap between environmental science, public health, and sustainable urban development.

🌍 Research Skills On Environmental Science

Dr. Tomasso’s research expertise spans environmental epidemiology, sustainability science, and urban health. She specializes in mixed-methods research, integrating quantitative analysis with qualitative community-based studies. Her work focuses on nature-based interventions for public health, leveraging AI visualization tools to develop climate adaptation strategies. She has extensive experience in statistical modeling, GIS mapping, and policy evaluation, contributing to evidence-based solutions for urban sustainability. Her interdisciplinary approach includes collaborations with international researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders. She has conducted field studies on the psychological and cognitive benefits of green spaces, designing surveys and focus groups to assess socio-environmental factors affecting public health. Her research has been published in high-impact journals, influencing policy decisions on urban planning and climate resilience. With a strong background in grant writing and project leadership, Dr. Tomasso continues to advance innovative strategies for integrating nature into urban development to enhance public well-being.

Publication Top Notes

• Development of Visualization Tools for Sharing Climate Cooling Strategies with Impacted Urban Communities

  • Author(s): Linda Powers Tomasso, Kachina Studer, David Bloniarz, Dillon Escandon, John D. Spengler
  • Citation: Tomasso, L. P., Studer, K., Bloniarz, D., Escandon, D., & Spengler, J. D. (2025). Development of Visualization Tools for Sharing Climate Cooling Strategies with Impacted Urban Communities. Atmosphere.
  • Year: 2025
  • DOI: 10.3390/atmos16030258

• Individual Differences in Perceived Changes and Impacts on Well-Being of Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Author(s): Jiaxuan Xu, José Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, Vasuta Chan, Deunchalerm Khiewpun, Wendy M. Purcell, John D. Spengler, Linda Powers Tomasso
  • Citation: Xu, J., Cedeño Laurent, J. G., Chan, V., Khiewpun, D., Purcell, W. M., Spengler, J. D., & Tomasso, L. P. (2024). Individual Differences in Perceived Changes and Impacts on Well-Being of Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Building and Environment.
  • Year: 2024
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111984

• Developing Implementable Nature-Based Cooling Interventions to Mitigate the Health Risks of Urban Heat Islands on Older Adults

  • Author(s): Not explicitly listed
  • Citation: Developing Implementable Nature-Based Cooling Interventions to Mitigate the Health Risks of Urban Heat Islands on Older Adults. (2023). California Digital Library DMP Tool.
  • Year: 2023
  • DOI: 10.48321/D1F32S

• Toward a Theory of Nature Experience and Health

  • Author(s): Linda Powers Tomasso, Jarvis T. Chen
  • Citation: Tomasso, L. P., & Chen, J. T. (2022). Toward a Theory of Nature Experience and Health. Ecopsychology.
  • Year: 2022
  • DOI: 10.1089/eco.2022.0005

• Implications of Disparities in Social and Built Environment Antecedents to Adult Nature Engagement

  • Author(s): Linda Powers Tomasso, Nabi Nazari, Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, Jarvis T. Chen, John D. Spengler
  • Citation: Tomasso, L. P., Nazari, N., Cedeño Laurent, J. G., Chen, J. T., & Spengler, J. D. (2022). Implications of Disparities in Social and Built Environment Antecedents to Adult Nature Engagement. PLOS ONE.
  • Year: 2022
  • DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274948

• Cultural Sets Shape Adult Conceptualizations and Relationships to Nature

  • Author(s): Linda Powers Tomasso, Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, Jarvis T. Chen, Paul J. Catalano, John D. Spengler
  • Citation: Tomasso, L. P., Cedeño Laurent, J. G., Chen, J. T., Catalano, P. J., & Spengler, J. D. (2021). Cultural Sets Shape Adult Conceptualizations and Relationships to Nature. Sustainability.
  • Year: 2021
  • DOI: 10.3390/su132011266

• Time Spent in Nature Is Associated with Increased Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors

  • Author(s): Nicole V. DeVille, Linda Powers Tomasso, Olivia P. Stoddard, Grete E. Wilt, Teresa H. Horton, Kathleen L. Wolf, Eric Brymer, Peter H. Kahn Jr., Peter James
  • Citation: DeVille, N. V., Tomasso, L. P., Stoddard, O. P., Wilt, G. E., Horton, T. H., Wolf, K. L., Brymer, E., Kahn, P. H. Jr., & James, P. (2021). Time Spent in Nature Is Associated with Increased Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
  • Year: 2021
  • DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147498

• The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Well-Being across Urban Gradients under COVID-19

  • Author(s): Linda Powers Tomasso, Jie Yin, Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, Jarvis T. Chen, Paul J. Catalano, John D. Spengler
  • Citation: Tomasso, L. P., Yin, J., Cedeño Laurent, J. G., Chen, J. T., Catalano, P. J., & Spengler, J. D. (2021). The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Well-Being across Urban Gradients under COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
  • Year: 2021
  • DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041511

• The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Well-Being across Urban Gradients under COVID-19 (Preprint)

  • Author(s): Linda Powers Tomasso, Jie Yin, Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, Jarvis T. Chen, Paul Catalano, John D. Spengler
  • Citation: Tomasso, L. P., Yin, J., Cedeño Laurent, J. G., Chen, J. T., Catalano, P., & Spengler, J. D. (2020). The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Well-Being across Urban Gradients under COVID-19 (Preprint).
  • Year: 2020
  • DOI: 10.20944/preprints202012.0484.v1