Dr. Allen was a panelist for the Forum’s discussions on The Vaping Debate.
Dr. Joseph G. Allen is an associate professor of exposure assessment science in the Department of Environmental Health.
Dr. Allen’s work focuses on the central role that buildings play across four domains of human health – indoor health, resource health, economic health, and environmental health. He began his career conducting forensic health investigations of sick buildings across a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, biotechnology, education, commercial office real estate, and manufacturing. His research is now focused on buildings as tools for health promotion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he is advising universities, schools, government agencies, community centers, and arts organizations on risk reduction strategies for safe reopening. Dr. Allen is a special advisor to the Chief Justice of Massachusetts on reopening jury trials. He is also a Commissioner and Chair of the Task Force on Workplace, School, and Travel Safety for The Lancet Commission on COVID-19.
Dr. Allen received a BS in biology from Boston College and an MPH in environmental health and a DSc in exposure assessment, both from Boston University. He joined the Harvard Chan School as a research associate in the Department of Environmental Health in 2010 and the School’s faculty as assistant professor of exposure assessment science in 2014. At the School, Dr. Allen is the director of the Harvard Healthy Buildings program, deputy director of the NIOSH Education and Research Center for Worker Health and Safety, and faculty advisor to the Harvard Healthier Building Materials Academy. He also serves on the Harvard University Coronavirus Advisory Group.
