Harvard Catalyst Profiles

University of Maryland	BS	1969	Physics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Ms	1972	Meteorology
Harvard school of Public Health	ScD	1979	Environmental Health

Dr. Douglas W. Dockery is a prominent figure in environmental epidemiology, currently the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Research Professor, Emeritus of Environmental Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With a career spanning five decades, Dr. Dockery has significantly influenced the understanding of how air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter, affects human health.

He received a B.S. in physics from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then earned his ScD in environmental health from the Harvard School of Public Health, laying the groundwork for a career that would intertwine environmental science and public health.

Dr. Dockery's seminal work began with the Harvard Six Cities Study, for which he served as a Principal Investigator. Initiated in the late 1970s, this study provided groundbreaking evidence that linked air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter, to an increase in mortality rates and a reduction in life expectancy across different U.S. cities. This research demonstrated how communities exposed to higher levels of particulate pollution suffered from greater health challenges, including increased mortality rates, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular problems. This study's findings have become central to environmental health policies, influencing regulatory standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization.

Beyond the Six Cities Study, Dr. Dockery's research has consistently highlighted the health risks associated with even low levels of particulate matter prevalent in developed nations. His work has shown that episodes of particulate air pollution correlate with spikes in hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and cases of acute respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. This includes conditions such as asthma attacks, lower lung function, heart attacks, and cardiac arrhythmias.

More recently, Dr. Dockery focused on the positive impacts of improved air quality, evaluating the health benefits of air pollution controls and advocating for policies that enhance environmental and public health. His research and advocacy have been vital in shaping cleaner air policies and understanding the critical links between air quality and health outcomes.

Over his career, Dr. Dockery has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, with his 1993 paper on air pollution and mortality being one the most cited in air pollution literature. His research has been supported by numerous grants from entities such as the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Health Effects Institute.

As a respected leader and administrator, Dr. Dockery has held roles such as President of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology from 1998 to 1999, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard from 2005 to 2016, and Director of the Harvard-NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences from 2008 to 2019. His contributions to environmental epidemiology have been recognized with awards such as the inaugural John Goldsmith Award from the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, celebrating his outstanding contributions to the field.

Dr. Dockery became a Research Professor in 2016 and an Emeritus Professor in 2022. In his retirement, he is focusing on reflections regarding the development of air pollution epidemiology and its impact on public policy. He has co-authored a book with Arden Pope titled “Particle of Truth: A Story of Discovery, Controversy, and the Fight for Healthy Air,” which is set to be published in the spring of 2025.

Dr. Dockery is not accepting new students or fellows.