Nicole Gladish

Bio

Dr. Nicole Gladish is a Research Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University. Her work integrates genetic, epigenetic, and population-level data to understand how biological and environmental factors interact to shape health disparities and influence trajectories of healthy aging. In addition to exploring molecular mechanisms, she conducts applied research on health policy interventions developing and refining tools like deprivation indices to inform equitable decision-making at the systems level.

Dr. Gladish earned her Ph.D. in Medical Genetics from the University of British Columbia (UBC), where her thesis focused on how early-life adversity, such as low socioeconomic status and abuse, affects DNA methylation patterns. This work aimed to elucidate the biological mechanisms that predispose individuals to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

At Stanford, she continues to investigate the interplay between social determinants and biological risk, with a growing emphasis on translational research. Her development of improved social deprivation indices supports more accurate identification of disadvantaged communities, informing public health funding, service allocation, and structural interventions across the U.S.

Dr. Gladish's work bridges molecular epidemiology and public policy, aiming to ensure that scientific insights translate into measurable improvements in population health.