Sarah Dumas

Sarah Dumas, DVM, PhD, is an epidemiologist and public health researcher whose work focuses on the intersections of water and food systems, climate change, and human health / One Health. She brings over a decade of experience leading transdisciplinary research and evaluation initiatives in both international development and domestic public health.

Dr. Dumas earned her BA in Biology from Pomona College, her DVM from Cornell University, and her PhD in Epidemiology and International Nutrition, also from Cornell. Her doctoral research in rural Zambia used a participatory, community-driven approach to examine the impact of small-scale, semi-intensive egg production systems on household nutrition and livelihoods.

Following her PhD, Dr. Dumas spent six years with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she led survey-based research on public health knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes, including a citywide panel study that informed the city’s COVID-19 response. Most recently, she served as an International Research Advisor at USAID’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, where she supported research and learning related to food systems resilience, gender equity, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

In her current role as a Research Scientist at the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness, Dr. Dumas leads research on the health impacts of climate change and the evaluation of disease prevention and adaptation interventions. She specializes in mixed-methods research, survey design, and participatory approaches. Dr. Dumas is committed to bridging disciplines and sectors to generate evidence that advances health equity and improves lives.