Child Brain Development, Environmental Change, and Economic Mobility

Researcher: Khahlil Louisy

This study examines the neurobiological and economic consequences of early-life exposure to adverse environmental conditions, with a focus on air quality as a critical determinant of child development. Mounting evidence from neuroscience demonstrates that chronic exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides is associated with reductions in cortical gray matter, particularly in regions of the brain responsible for memory formation, executive function, and learning. These structural alterations can impair cognitive performance during critical developmental windows, setting in motion a cascade of educational and behavioral disadvantages.

The implications extend beyond individual health outcomes. Impaired learning trajectories reduce academic achievement and human capital accumulation, constraining labor market participation and long-term earnings potential. By tracing the pathway from environmental stressors → neurodevelopmental outcomes → educational attainment → economic mobility, this study aims to illuminate how ecological inequities reinforce intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality.

Integrating methods from neuroscience, epidemiology, and economics, the project seeks to generate evidence on how place-based environmental exposures shape both brain architecture and life-course opportunity. The findings are designed to inform public policy by demonstrating that environmental regulation is not only a matter of health protection, but also a lever for economic stability, social mobility, and equity across generations.