Jason Vargo
Senior Researcher, Community Development
Jason Vargo is a senior researcher in community development focused on understanding the role of climate risks and equity in ensuring an inclusive and prosperous economy for all. Vargo brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of climate and health equity as well as healthy and resilient urban planning. Prior to joining the Fed, Jason was lead scientist in the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Climate Change and Health Equity Section. During the pandemic he led the CDPH’s COVID-19 Modeling Team and was scientific lead for California’s Health Equity Metric, a first of its kind in the nation. Earlier, as an Associate Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jason helped establish a campus-wide initiative on cities and university-community partnership.
Jason attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies in chemical engineering. As a graduate student, he pioneered a dual degree program of study in urban planning and public health between Georgia Tech and Emory University, respectively. Vargo’s doctoral work was completed at Georgia Tech and focused on the health impacts of the urban heat island. Dr. Vargo joined the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Development team in September of 2021.