Nicole Iroz-Elardo received her PhD in Urban Studies from Portland State University in 2014. She is an interdisciplinary researcher that focuses on supporting healthy communities through understanding the intersection of planning, governance, and public health.  Her doctoral research evaluated stakeholder participation within three transportation Health Impact Assessments (HIA) including the extent to which HIA can provide vulnerable communities an avenue to influence policies that affect their every day lives.   

Dr. Iroz-Elardo has been working as an applied researcher on environmental health issues since 2003 when she hired onto a data analysis group at Battelle Memorial Institute.  Most recently, Dr. Iroz-Elardo held the position of Principal at Urban Design 4 Health.  In this role, she managed the health equity and monetization portfolios. 

Dr. Iroz-Elardo worked for the HIA program within the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division.  While at OHA, Dr. Iroz-Elardo supported several transportation related projects.  She was the lead analyst and author of two HIAs supporting Metro's Climate Smart Communities Scenario planning effort.  Other research and practice interests include ongoing development of practical tools to help planning professionals understand and embed the social determinants of health within public decision-making; monetizing health impacts; and the ongoing trajectory of the HIA field.

When Dr. Iroz-Elardo is not diving deep into a research project, she is gardening or taking care of her ducks.  She currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her spouse and two children.

Dr. Iroz-Elardo focuses on supporting decision-makers in understanding and applying a social determinants of health frame to public decisions.  Areas of applied research include the impact of health due to 

• transportation modes and options
• built environment including land use
• air quality, particularly from transportation sources
• other environmental health issues such as indoor air quality, housing, water quality

Dr. Iroz-Elardo has particular interest and expertise in helping understand equity implications of transportation and land use plans.

Dr. Iroz-Elardo is an international expert in estimating the economic impact of changes in health outcomes from changes in the built environment.

Dr. Iroz-Elardo has diverse toolbox of methodologies and experience to support your project including

• quantitative modeling including tool development for ongoing decision-making support
• qualitative methods such as interviews, content analysis, and thematic analysis
• in-depth literature reviews to assess the state of the science
• communicating public health implications to diverse audiences
• stakeholder engagement strategies
• Health Impact Assessments
• evaluative methodologies

Browse through the website for examples of projects and methods that may be applicable to your challenge.