Mislael A. Valentín-Cortés

Mislael Valentín-Cortés, PhD, MPH, MSW, is a Puerto Rican mixed-methods researcher, evaluator, educator, and public health practitioner with over eight years of experience in health education, program evaluation, and epidemiologic research. His work examines how climate change, environmental hazards, and sociostructural inequities impact physical, mental, and reproductive health in historically marginalized communities. A strong proponent of community-based approaches to public health, he integrates participatory methods to ensure research and interventions are responsive to the needs of affected populations.

Dr. Valentín-Cortés is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, where he investigates the health consequences of climate-related disasters and environmental injustices across multiple domains, including physical, mental, and reproductive health. His research spans Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, and Latin America, addressing the ways in which environmental and social conditions shape health disparities and resilience in these regions.

He holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Michigan, where his research explored the intersections of climate change, extreme events, and systemic inequities. He also earned a Master of Public Health in health behavior and health education and a Master of Social Work in social policy and evaluation from the University of Michigan, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English and social science from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, he witnessed firsthand the adverse health effects of poverty, resource scarcity, and unequal social structures—an experience that shaped his deep commitment to addressing these issues. He has worked across academic institutions, public health agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations, using research and practice to advance health equity and disaster resilience. Early in his career, his work focused on how social determinants—including racism, discrimination, xenophobia, sexism, and economic inequality—affect the health of socially-made vulnerable populations, including Latinx communities, immigrants, women, and older adults.

As Puerto Rico and other regions continue to experience climate-related disasters and environmental challenges, Dr. Valentín-Cortés remains committed to studying and addressing these crises through a public health equity lens. His work aims to inform policies, support community-led solutions, and promote sustainable recovery efforts that center the voices and needs of affected communities.