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Dr. Erica Walker is the RGSS Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. She received her bachelor’s degree in math and economics from Simmons University, her master’s degree in environmental economics/urban planning from Tufts University, and her ScD degree in environmental health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Afterwards, Erica conducted postdoctoral research at UConn Health and the Boston University School of Public Health before joining the faculty at Brown University. In this interview, she shares more about her life and science.
People Behind the Science Podcast Show Notes
Life Outside of Science (2:09)
To stay healthy and relieve stress, Erica loves going on long runs. She also likes to spend her free time making pottery and ceramics, including plates, mugs, cups, and bowls. Her latest goal is to make a ceramic lamp.
The Scientific Side (3:47)
Erica is an environmental epidemiologist and exposure scientist. Through her work, she aims to identify and solve problems that matter for communities that are often overlooked, particularly in her home state of Mississippi.
A Dose of Motivation (4:54)
“Then the knowing comes: I can open
to another life that’s wide and timeless.”
— From “I Love the Dark Hours of My Being” by Rainer Maria Rilke
What Got You Hooked on Science? (8:49)
Erica never expected to become a scientist. Growing up in a household of conspiracy theorists taught her to question everything. But when she left home, she initially planned to pursue a career as an artist, furniture maker, or book binder. Her plans changed when she became frustrated with extremely noisy neighbors, and began systematically collecting data to address the problem. A friend suggested that she channel this energy into public health, and Erica soon realized that noise was not just a problem in her apartment. Communities around the country were dealing with noise from airports, highways, trains, and other environmental sources. She became fascinated by the opportunity to study these issues and help others. Erica ultimately decided to apply to PhD programs, and she continued to follow “the path of least resistance” as she progressed through her training to a faculty role.
The Low Points: Failures and Challenges (23:28)
One of Erica’s most memorable failures came during graduate school when she failed her doctoral comprehensive exam. This experience forced her to set aside her ego and honestly reflect on how she could improve. It taught her the importance of self-reflection, accountability, and recognizing that failure does not mean the end of the road. These are now lessons she shares with her students.
More recently, Erica faced a difficult situation that involved ending a collaboration with a community partner. Though the ensuing investigation found she was in the right, it still affected her professional reputation. The experience reinforced her commitment to doing what she believes is right, even when it comes at a personal or professional cost. It also showed her how difficult it can be to rebuild trust once it has been damaged. Erica sees this lesson as relevant not only to her own career, but also to the broader challenges facing public health, academia, and science.
A Shining Success! (31:50)
One of Erica’s most meaningful successes has been the opportunity to return to her home state of Mississippi and contribute through research focused on children’s health and environmental exposures. She is especially proud that one of her studies is now in its fourth year, despite funding challenges and other setbacks along the way. Many children growing up in Mississippi today do not have access to the same opportunities she had. Through therapy, Erica has worked to channel her feelings of guilt about this into research that serves the communities that shaped her. More broadly, she hopes her work can demonstrate the value of public health research that is responsive to community needs, focused on meaningful real-world problems, and capable of helping rebuild trust between scientists and the public.
Book Recommendations (37:51)
The Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley Twins series by Francine Pascal, and the River Heights series by Carolyn Keene.
Most Treasured Travel (39:46)
Erica is not a fan of going to conferences. However, attending conferences has provided her with opportunities to explore places she might not have otherwise visited. Innsbruck, Austria, has emerged as one of her favorite places. She loves its clean air, peaceful soundscape, good food, reliable public transportation, and pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly design. Being in this city really emphasized for her that good urban planning and infrastructure can really impact quality of life.
Quirky Traditions and Funny Memories (44:10)
Scientists aren’t always methodical, polished people who consistently make the right decisions. On one of her research trips to Mississippi, Erica and her colleagues had to stop to use the restroom. They had a choice between a casino and a rest stop, and Erica chose the casino, hoping for cleaner facilities. It only hit her as they were walking out of the casino that the optics of them being there during a work trip were probably not ideal. These kinds of situations are a good reminder that scientists are human too. They make mistakes, experience imposter syndrome, get tired, fail, and sometimes don’t make the best choices.
Advice For Us All (51:08)
Don’t become complacent. And embrace being wrong, making mistakes, and changing your mind as new evidence emerges. Science is always evolving, and all of these things are part of learning and discovery.
Guest Bio
Erica’s research focuses primarily on understanding how environmental exposures shape human health, with an emphasis on air, noise, water, and soil quality. Her expertise spans multiple disciplines, blending epidemiology, environmental science, and community-engaged research. Guided by a firm belief in community-initiated work, her approach prioritizes building lasting infrastructure and leaving every community better off than when she arrived. Driven in equal measure by deep curiosity and survivor’s guilt, much of her current work investigates the health impacts of multi-pollutant exposures on children living in her home state of Mississippi. Beyond her academic research, Erica has a mixed bag of creative interests, including a humbling struggle with pottery (Disclaimer: she makes no claims to mastery at the wheel, though she thoroughly enjoys the process!). She also harbors a strong disdain for emails that start with “hope you are doing well.”
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