Meet the students from the College of Public Health and Health Professions, a diverse group dedicated to improving health and well-being in communities around the world. These students come from various backgrounds, united by their passion for health and their commitment to making a positive impact. They bring unique perspectives and experiences to their studies, preparing to become the next generation of health professionals who will address pressing health challenges and advance their field.
Meet: Jeongmin Choi
Program:Â Ph.D. in Environmental and Global Health
Educational Background:
- B.S. in Animal Science, Kangwon National University, 2013 – 2017
- M.S. in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Konkuk University, 2017 – 2019
Research Interests:
- PBPK modeling
- Food safety
- Regulatory risk assessment
- New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
Why did you choose the University of Florida?
With strengths in agriculture, pharmacology and environmental sciences, the University of Florida fosters multidisciplinary collaboration and provides cutting-edge technologies essential for advancing food safety. It is the ideal place for me to develop my expertise.
What is your research experience?
From 2017 to 2021, I conducted research on the residue analysis of veterinary drugs in animal-derived food using LC-MS/MS for regulatory purposes. Since 2023, I have worked on physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to predict exposure levels of environmental chemicals and assess human health risks.
What philosophy guides you in your education?
To me, education is a journey of discovering a field where I feel both interest and responsibility, and then continuously developing expertise, growing in it and contributing to the real world.
If you could solve one environmental and/or global health problem, what would it be?
I would address the issue of residues and contaminants in food through advanced toxicological assessment methods, such as animal-free approaches.
What are your career goals?
My long-term goal is to become an expert in evaluating toxicokinetics for international regulatory agencies. Specifically, I aim to contribute to the acceptance of computational approaches, such as PBPK modeling, as alternatives to animal testing in regulatory risk assessment.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about the Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health program,  click here.
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