Welcome
Dr. Eunha Hoh's Laboratory is part of SDSU's School of Public Health. Our group addresses public health research questions through molecular-level analyses of chemical contaminants and biomarkers.
Learn more about our research through these articles and videos:
Example Projects
DDT in the Deep Ocean
We investigate the disposal of DDT in the deep ocean, its impacts on wildlife and humans, and the spatial extent of DDT in marine sediment. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, research has found some of the most abundant environmental contaminants in southern California marine mammals are related to the historical disposal of DDT waste in the ocean and are associated with elevated cancer rates in sea lions. In April 2021, Dr. Hoh participated in a congressional briefing on southern California DDT waste dump sites (PDF).
These projects are interdisciplinary collaborations with Dr. Karilyn Sant (SDSU), Dr. David Valentine (UC Santa Barbara), and researchers from The Marine Mammal Center, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, NOAA, International Bird Rescue, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Gabrielino-Shoshone Tribal Council of Southern California, and Coastal Defenders.
Our 2024 publication, "Identification of DDT+ in Deep Ocean Sediment and Biota in the Southern California Bight" was covered in the LA Times and LAist AirTalk.
Our DDT research is featured in the documentary Out of Plain Sight currently showing at film festivals. Post-screening panel interview at the National Academy of Sciences.
Other Example Projects
- Understanding the contaminants that leach from tire tread particles. Collaboration with Dr. Natalie Mladenov (SDSU Engineering), Dr. Karilyn Sant (SDSU SPH), and Dr. Chelsea Rochman (University of Toronto).
- Assessment of thirdhand cigarette smoke pollution. Collaboration with Dr. Georg Matt (SDSU Psychology) and Dr. Penelope Quintana (SDSU SPH).
- Identification of contaminants potentially affecting the conservation of California condors. Collaboration with Drs. Christopher Tubbs and Ignacio Vilchis (San Diego Zoo).
- Studying the degradation of oil released by the Refugio spill. Collaboration with Dr. Natalie Mladenov (SDSU Engineering).
Advisory Roles & Recognition
Dr. Hoh is a member of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP), a Federal advisory committee to the Ocean Policy Committee.
Dr. Hoh serves on the US EPA FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), providing independent scientific advice to the EPA Administrator. Members are appointed from nominations by NIH and NSF.
Dr. Hoh is a member of the California Ocean Protection Council's Science Advisory Team, addressing issues impacting California's coastal and marine ecosystems.
- An OPC Microplastics Working Group co-chaired by Dr. Hoh released recommendations and a risk assessment framework in May 2021. Report (PDF).
Dr. Hoh served on the California Environmental Contaminant Biomonitoring Program Scientific Guidance Panel (2018–2023).
Our journal article Cannabis and the Environment was selected as an ACS Editors' Choice article (2021). Our article Assessing Toxicity and in Vitro Bioactivity of Smoked Cigarette Leachate was selected as an ACS Editors' Choice article (2019).
The Hoh Laboratory is a member of the SDSU Blue Gold Area of Excellence.
Research projects are funded by NIH, NSF, NOAA, California SeaGrant, and the California TRDRP.