Jongeun Rhee

Sc.D., M.S.

Department of Primary Appointment:
School of Medicine
Surgery
Title
Assistant Professor
Location: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Research Interests:
Cancer Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution, Heavy Metals

Education

Postdoctoral and Research Fellowship, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
Doctor of Science, Environmental Health (Environmental & Occupational Molecular Epidemiology), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Master of Science, Environmental Health (Exposure, Epidemiology & Risk), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Health Sciences, Environmental Health, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Bachelor of Science, Life Sciences (double major), Korea University, Seoul, South Korea

Biography

My research primarily focuses on the investigation of cancer risks associated with various environmental and occupational exposures, including persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and air pollution. Additionally, I conduct molecular epidemiologic studies centered around the etiology of genitourinary cancers such as prostate and kidney cancers and investigates secondary outcomes and survivorship among genitourinary cancer patients. A significant aspect of my research is understanding the relationship between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - which are widely-used firefighting agents in military - and relevant cancer risk. I have a strong interest in examining military carcinogens using military occupation codes and constructing a job exposure matrix specifically for military exposures.

Research Grants
• National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics Cancer Health Disparities Award (2022)
• National Institutes of Health Pamela Anne Cafritz Renal Cell Carcinoma Award (2020)
• National Cancer Institute Director’s Intramural Innovation Award (2020)
• National Cancer Institute Intramural Research Award (2020)
• Harvard-NIOSH Education and Research Center Pilot Grant (2015)

Career Highlights: Positions, Projects, Deployements, Awards and Additional Publications

NIH Award to Mentor an Undergraduate Scholarship Program Scholar (2024)

American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-in-Training Award (2022)

American Association for Cancer Research Integrative Molecular Epidemiology Workshop: Bridging Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine (Selected Attendee, 2022)

NCI Director's Award (2022)

American Thoracic Society Conference Abstract Scholarship (2018)

Geographic Information Systems, Harvard University Center for Geographic Analysis (Selected Attendee, 2017)

Harvard University Center for the Environment Graduate Consortium on Energy and Environment Fellowship (2015)

John F. and Virginia B. Taplin Fellowship, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2015)

Representative Bibliography