Dev Jani, PhD, MPH

Dr. Jani’s research and practice focuses on the operationalization of science and policy at the nexus of public health, public safety, and medicine (often referred to as heath security).

In addition to his current faculty role within the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Dr. Jani serves as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chief Medical Officer and DHS Office of Health Security (OHS). In this capacity, Dr. Jani leads the day-to-day operations of a multidisciplinary team and comprehensive programs that enable operational partners to prevent, protect against, and respond to the health impacts of naturally occurring events and weapons of mass destruction.

Previously at the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, he most recently served as the Executive Officer for the Medical Operations Directorate, and prior to that position, Program Manager for Chemical Defense. In these capacities, he engaged directly with operational partners across all levels of government to enhance awareness and readiness for current, emerging and forecasted WMD threats.

Prior to joining the federal government, Dr. Jani was the Deputy Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the City of New Orleans, Louisiana. In this position, he led public safety enterprise efforts to strengthen security posture and whole-of-society resilience against dynamic threats ranging from terrorism to natural disasters. Dr. Jani has also previously held numerous positions in the fire services, emergency medical services, and institutional emergency management sector.

Dr. Jani holds a BS in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University, and both an MPH and PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, with research and academic concentration in exposure science and environmental epidemiology.