Petros Koutrakis

Biography

Dr. Petros Koutrakis is the Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation at the T.H. School of Public Health of Harvard University. He has over 40 years of experience in environmental health sciences, with expertise in human exposure assessment, ambient and indoor air pollution, environmental analytical chemistry, remote sensing, and environmental radioactivity. He has authored more than 650 peer‑reviewed publications and 11 USA patents. He received the 2018 Excellence in Exposure Science Award from the International Society of Exposure Science. At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, he has shaped curricula and mentored dozens of doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.

Publications

• Long-Term Ambient Benzene Exposure and Brain Disorders Among Urban Adults: Effect Modification by Genetic Susceptibility and Potential Mediation by Plasma Proteins.

  Guo J, Zhong X, Koutrakis P, Vieira CLZ, Si F, Wang Y, Lian X, Fan Y, Wang Z, Huang S, Li J. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2026 May 29

  PMID: 42213015

• Associations of personal temperature exposure in the preceding days with vital signs, biochemical, and hydration parameters in cystic fibrosis.

  Anagnostopoulou P, Kouis P, Pantavou K, Michanikou A, Matthaiou AM, Ioakim K, Alahmad B, Nikolopoulos G, Koutrakis P, Yiallouros PK. Sci Rep 2026 May 28

  PMID: 42209702

• A national analysis of the impact of proximity to nuclear power plants on lung, breast and colon cancer mortalities in the U.S., 2000-2020.

  Alwadi Y, Schwartz J, Christiani DC, Kaltofen M, Coull BA, Evans JS, Wei Y, Koutrakis P. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2026 May 20

  PMID: 42162233

• Association of Short-Term Pollen Exposure With Lung Function in COPD Patients.

  Healy JP, Ni W, Coull B, Koutrakis P, Synn A, Nassikas N, Rice MB. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis 2026 May 09

  PMID: 42114267

• Association of Plasma IL-6 with Indoor Radon Exposure in Children with Non-Allergic Asthma.

  Alsulami S, Jung YS, Nadeau K, Permaul P, Li L, Koutrakis P, Gaffin JM, Phipatanakul W, Banzon TM. J Pers Med 2026 Apr 30

  PMID: 42188340