Photo of Amir Baniassadi, PhD at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, Massachusetts

Amir Baniassadi, PhD

  • Assistant Scientist I
  • Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Faculty

Dr. Amir Baniassadi is an Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Assistant Scientist in Marcus Institute for Aging Research. He works on climate change and environmental health, and in particular, environmental impacts on health and well-being of older populations. He has a Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State University and a B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran. His post-doctoral training includes a three-year T32 fellowship in Translational Research in Older adults, and a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
 

Dr. Baniassadi works on the impacts of ambient air temperature and air quality (both indoors and outdoors) on outcomes related to the health and well-being of physiologically and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. His research applies novel environmental modeling and measurement techniques along with remote and long-term physiological and functional monitoring of individuals to establish relationships between exposure and outcome variables of interest outside clinical lab settings. The ultimate goal of his research is to develop environmental interventions that help older adults become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

  1. The effect of home ambient temperature on sleep, gait and balance, and subjective wellbeing in low-income older adults.
  2. Biologically adaptive control of the bedroom temperature as an intervention to improve sleep in older adults. 
  3. Climate change resilience and adaptation in older adults.
     

Research Areas

Learn more about the areas of research where Dr. Baniassadi focuses.

A researcher at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, MA studies MRI images of a human brain.

Brain Health

Through pioneering multidisciplinary research, the Marcus Institute is uncovering new answers to the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, delirium, and other changes to the brain.

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A research subject at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research stands on a measuring platform with a computer read-out reflected on the wall behind.

Physical Health and Function

Through the Marcus Institute’s research we are learning how older adults can maintain independence and quality of life.

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A researcher at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, MA holds a vial of blood.

Biomarkers and Genetics

As precision medicine enters the mainstream of clinical care, Marcus Institute researchers are working to advance the understanding of disease biomarkers and genetics.

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A string of computer code is reflected in the glasses of a researcher at the Marcus Institute for Aging in Boston, MA.

Data Science and Technology

The Marcus Institute includes a biostatistics and data sciences faculty who collaborate with investigators to design and conduct clinical trials and observational studies in aging.

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Current Projects

View Dr. Baniassadi's current projects. 

Adaptive Biologically-Controlled Home Environments to Promote Health in Older Adults

This research aims to provide proof-of-concept that environmental sensors (e.g. temperature, humidity, light, and sound) can be used to adjust ambient environments where people live, and thereby improve the health and function of older adults.

Principal Investigator

High Frequency Monitoring of the Home Environment and Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults

This research aims to quantify the relationships between the physical home environment and health and wellbeing of older adults. 

Principal Investigator