Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Sancia Sehdev serves as a Research Fellow at the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College. Originally from New Delhi, she witnessed firsthand how rising pollution jeopardizes public health, especially among vulnerable populations. This early experience fueled her dedication to environmental health research and advocacy.

Sancia’s current research, conducted with Dr. Philip Landrigan, focuses on quantifying IQ loss from air pollution across Indian states. In partnership with World Bank economists, she translates these findings into economic loss estimates to inform policy decisions.

Previously, Sancia earned recognition from the Goldwater Foundation for her study on how airborne particulate matter affects brain white matter, conducted alongside biomedical engineers.

In her role at the Global Observatory, Sancia is also engaged in projects tracking occupational and environmental health risks globally. Her work bridges rigorous science with advocacy, emphasizing the need for policies that prioritize marginalized communities most affected by environmental hazards.

Sancia embodies leadership through the urgency expressed by Emma Watson’s words: “If not me, who? If not now, when?” This quote inspires her commitment to using research and her voice to drive bold, immediate action in the fight against climate change and health inequities.