Jessica Polos

Trained in sociology and demography, Polos' research uses biosocial and quasi-experimental approaches to examine links among social determinants, biological mechanisms, and health outcomes.

She is particularly interested in the areas of maternal-child health, structural discrimination in health, and health disparities. Working with IPR biological anthropologist Thomas McDade, she is currently involved with several ongoing research projects linking early life adversity to inflammatory health outcomes over the life course. She also has interests in sociology of the family, focusing on fertility, parenting, and care work.

Education

• PhD in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Predoctoral Trainee in Demography, Center for Demography and Ecology and Center for Demography of Health and Aging
• MPP, University of Chicago
• BA in Anthropology, BA in International Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests

• Health Disparities
• Social determinants of health (e.g., structural racism)
• Life Course Health
• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
• Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health