Dr. Kari Northeim
Assistant Professor, Department of Population & Community Health
Education & Experience:
I completed requirements for the PhD degree in Environmental Science from the University of North Texas-Denton. I also completed an MBA degree from Syracuse University and a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University. Prior to joining the HSC School of Public Health in 2022, I held teaching positions at UNT-Denton in the departments of Biology, and Geography and the Environment. Before completing the PhD degree, I worked in the field as an engineer for over 12 years.
Teaching Areas & Public Health Interests:
I have been involved in the field of public health for more than six years in the population-level impacts from air pollution, and health and geospatial science research. My teaching efforts focus on environmental health policy and equity. I have taught a variety of courses, including Environmental Determinants of Health, Food Security and Sustainability; Health and Climate Change; Health Geographical Information Science; and Python Programming. Before coming to academia, I worked for more than 12 years in an industry impacted by the 1997 Montreal Protocol, which enacted legislature to restrict harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from being emitted into the air. In this position, I worked as an advocate for stakeholders to convert and retrofit existing buildings to less harmful environmental refrigerants.
Professional Activities & Awards:
I am a member of American Association of Geographers and the Texas Education Agency. I have served as an air quality advocate for Downwinders at Risk since 2020, focused on ozone air quality awareness. I am also a member of the Denton County Medical Reserve Corps and have been a big sister in Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2003.
Scholarly Interests:
My research interests include air pollution monitoring policy, health exposure assessments, social vulnerabilities, sustainability and pre-hospital care.
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