Rachel Grashow, PhD, MS
Environmental & Computational Neuroepidemiologist
Rachel has a PhD in Computational Neuroscience from Brandeis University, and a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard Chan School. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wesleyan University.
Current Positions
- Director of Epidemiological Research Initiatives for the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University
- Senior Research Scientist at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
- Co-Principal Investigator of Families Engaged in Managing Football Lives (FEM-FL)
- Principal Investigator of the Women in Sports (WINS) Study at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
- Board Member & Secretary, the Center for Black Agency and Resilience
Research Focus
Her work focuses on how environmental exposures (head trauma, social determinants of health, neurotoxicant exposures) affect cognitive health and overall wellbeing.
Rachel’s research and work is guided by her passion to create sound science that can be understood by all. She is deeply committed to working with community stakeholders including professional athletes, pregnant women, military veterans, and elders to enhance health and wellbeing. At every level of her work, Rachel asks how social determinants of health (e.g., exposure to racism, trauma, or caregiver stress) impact healthspan and lifespan.
Rachel believes that narrative change that empowers communities and emphasizes resilience (not just deficits, disease, and death) is the best path to a more just, joyous, and connected world.