in Philadelphia, but he provides his expertise in other countries such as Sri Lanka and India. When he was younger, he didn’t think he would become a public health educator. “I really wanted to become a scientist,” he says. “But then I realized I didn’t want to stay in a lab all day.” Now, he feels he has the best of all worlds because his research is based in the community. He believes his efforts are making the community a healthier place. Dr. Perez says he takes a great deal of satisfaction from his work. “Indoor air pollution is something we can do something about,” he says. “I feel my work makes a difference.” —By Fit Fin staff James Dobson School 19 Illustration by Julia Olszewski, James Dobson Fit Fin