Dr. Abby Fleisch is an environmental health researcher at MaineHealth Institute for Research, practicing pediatric endocrinologist at MaineHealth, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Environmental Health at Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Fleisch completed residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital/Boston Medical Center and a fellowship in endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital. She completed the Harvard-wide pediatric health services research fellowship and received a Master of Public Health from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

Dr. Fleisch’s research is focused on the extent to which exposure to environmental toxicants prenatally and across the lifespan impact cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health. Her work has demonstrated an impact of environmental chemicals including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on obesity and osteoporosis risk. Her studies include careful attention to vulnerable exposure windows, dietary confounding, potential mitigating effects of diet/lifestyle, and the health impact of multi-chemical exposure.

Dr. Fleisch leads a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Outstanding New Environmental Scientist R01 award focused on PFAS and phthalate exposure, adiposity, and bone accrual across adolescence in the Project Viva cohort. She co-leads an R01 award from NIEHS and a U01 award from the National Institute on Aging, each focused on the impact of PFAS on chronic health outcomes (e.g., musculoskeletal health and cardiovascular disease) within the Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Fleisch also co-leads an NIEHS R21 award to examine exposure pathways and mental health impacts of PFAS-contaminated biosolids used as fertilizer in central Maine. Dr. Fleisch has been honored through research awards at the Society for Pediatric Research (featured member), Endocrine Society (early career investigator award), and NIEHS (story of success).