Abby Fleisch, MD, MPH, is an environmental health researcher at MaineHealth Institute for Research, Attending Physician in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes at Maine Medical Center, 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 fellowship in endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital. She participated in the Harvard-wide pediatric health services research fellowship and received a Masters 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. Dr. Fleisch has demonstrated an impact of chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates on fat distribution and bone health. 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 or co-leads 2 R01 awards, including an Outstanding New Environmental Scientist R01, and an R21 award from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.