Matthew Breier

My research interest is in the field of Health and Societies. I have been focusing on the 1918 influenza pandemic with the goal of shedding light on the pandemic’s differential impacts on different parts of society. In summer 2024, I completed a research project with Dr. David Barnes through PURM which suggested that African-American and immigrant populations were more adversely affected by influenza than their white, native-born counterparts: their rate of death was higher. Understanding from previous social epidemiology research that social cohesion and the physical fabric of urban life profoundly influence health outcomes, I would like to explore other avenues and perform detailed research on 1918 Philadelphia neighborhoods to further understand these initial findings. I also have worked with Dr. Adrianna Petryna in the anthropology department, researching the environmental impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Outside of the classroom, I am a Deputy Blog Manager on the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal, internal chair in the John Marshall Pre-Law Society, and a co-head of the Clio Society. I also love to play the alto saxophone and perform with the Penn Wind Ensemble.

• University Scholar
• Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program
• Research Assistant to Dr. David Barnes and Dr. Adrianna Petryna