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Mercedes A Bravo

Assistant Research Professor of Global Health
Duke Global Health Institute

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Research Professor of Global Health · 2021 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers
Assistant Research Professor in Population Health Sciences · 2023 - Present Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments
Assistant Research Professor in the Division of Environmental Natural Sciences · 2024 - Present Environmental Natural Science, Nicholas School of the Environment

In the News


Published February 3, 2025
Global Health Effects of Extreme Temperatures
Published August 17, 2022
Childhood Lead Exposure is Linked to Low Test Scores for Black Students, Study Finds

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Recent Publications


Is Fluoride the Culprit? Revisiting Evidence on Environmental Origins of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu): A Narrative Review

Journal Article Toxics · November 10, 2025 Fluoride is increasingly discussed as a geogenic risk factor for chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu); an epidemic of kidney disease is affecting hot tropical farming communities worldwide. Emerging evidence continues to support the ... Full text Cite

A case-crossover analysis of short-term PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure and COVID19-related hospitalizations in the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative.

Journal Article Communications medicine · November 2025 BackgroundStudies show associations between air pollution exposure and coronavirus 2019 (COVID19) hospitalizations, but have not substantially explored regional differences. In this study, we estimate associations between shorter-term exposure to ... Full text Cite

The association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and risk for pancreatic cancer: an application of social informatics.

Journal Article Am J Epidemiol · March 4, 2025 There is a profound need to identify modifiable risk factors to screen and prevent pancreatic cancer. Air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cancer. We conducted a case-control study using ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Advancing a Holistic Understanding of Variability in Lived Experience with Sickle Cell Pain

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2019 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


Yale University · 2014 Ph.D.