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Ock K. Chun, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor
Office Phone: (860) 486-6275
Fax: (860) 486-3674
Email: ock.chun@uconn.edu

Education and Training

  • Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
  • Master of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
  • Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Professional / Academic Experiences

  • Assistant Professor, Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut (UConn), Storrs, CT 06269, 2008 - present
  • Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC, 2007 - 2008
  • Research Assistant Professor, Food Science & Human Nutrition (FSHN), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, MI, 2006 - 2007
  • Research Associate, FSHN, MSU, East Lansing, MI, 2003 - 2006
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Food Science & Technology, Cornell University, 2002 – 2003
  • Research Scientist, Seoul Institute of Public Health and Environment, 1992 – 2002
  • Research Assistant, Korean Public Health Association, 1989
  • Research Scientist, R & D Dept. Samho Food Co., 1989

Honors and Awards

  • Government Researcher Overseas Scholarships (Aug. 2002 – Aug. 2004), Seoul Metropolitan Government, Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, Korea
  • Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship (Aug. 2002 – Aug. 2003), Korea Science and Engineering Foundation, Ministry of Science & Technology, Korea
  • Graduated with Honors Thesis, Doctoral degree, Seoul National University, Feb. 1999
  • Honors Thesis, 2002 Annual Meeting of Korean Society of Food Science and Technology, May, 2002

Professional Affiliations

  • American Society for Nutritional Sciences
  • Clinical division: American Society for Clinical Nutrition
  • International division: Society for International Nutrition
  • American Chemical Society
  • Korean Public Health Association
  • Korean Society of food Science and Technology

Professional Licenses

  • Certified Dietitian, 1988, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Korea
  • Certified Sanitarian, 1988, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Korea
  • Professional Engineer, Food Stuff, 1997, Human Resources Development Service of Korea
  • Engineer, 1990, Food Processing, Human Resources Development Service of Korea

Reviewer for Journals

  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Nutrition, since 2009
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, British Journal of Nutrition, since 2009
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Nutrition, since 2009
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Medicinal Food, since 2009
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, since 2009
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Advances in Space Research, Elsevier, since 2009
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2005 - present
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Food Science, 2004 – present
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of AOAC International, 2003 – present

Research

I have had a long term interest in how modification of diet and nutritional manipulation can impact chronic diseases, as exemplified by the examples given above as well as these that follow. Recently, I expanded my research focus to estimating dietary flavonoid intakes of the US population and benefits of various nutrient/dietary compounds for preventing CVD. Most of my recent work used the national surveys in health and nutrition, such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which allows me to estimate the diet/dietary components of the US population. These approaches have been beneficial in addressing preventive efforts against chronic diseases by establishing the link between biomarkers, morbidity and mortality of chronic diseases. My on-going research efforts focus on how dietary flavonoid intakes can prevent or ameliorate CVD in the US population. My research group estimated for the first time the daily total intake of 24 dietary flavonoid compounds within the US population and within individual socio-demographic subgroups. This was the first step towards generating the baseline data of flavonoid intakes of US adults and its subgroups. Recently we substantiated that dietary flavonoid intake can reduce CVD risk through its potential anti-inflammatory properties. These investigations are also essential in establishing recommended dietary intake level and solidifying the evidence of the protective effects of antioxidants against chronic diseases in the free-living population.

  • Total Dietary Antioxidant Capacity Associated with the Risks of Cardiovascular Disease Mediated by Oxidative Stress. Submitted to the American Heart Association Beginning Grant-in-Aid (BGIA) for Mid-Atlantic Affiliate. $130,819 for July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2010 (PI).
  • Pharmacokinetics and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Quercetin. Submitted to Donaghue Research Foundation Supported Nutrition Research Competition. $53,233 for July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 (Co-PI).
  • Development of an Algorithm to Establish Total Antioxidant Capacity Database of US Population. Faculty Large Grant, University of Connecticut Research Foundation. $20,000 for January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009 (PI).
  • Validation of the total antioxidant capacity database of the U.S. population. USDA Hatch Grant, University of Connecticut. $69,000 for October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2012 (PI).

Graduated Students

  • Anna Floegel (12/08- 8/09)
    Master Thesis: Development of an Algorithm to establish a Total Antioxidant Capacity Database of the U.S. Population
    Current Position: PhD & MPH Program in the Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam, Germany

Current Students

  • Meng Yang, Master (08/09- )
  • Catie Davis, Master (08/09- )
  • Ying Wang, PhD (08/09- )

Visiting Professors

  • Dae-Ok Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor, Kyung Hee University, Korea (01/09-02/09, 06/09-08/09)

Publications in Peer-Review Journal Articles (since 2003)

  • Ock K. Chun, Anna Floegel, Sang-Jin Chung, Chin Eun Chung, Won O. Song, Sung I. Koo. Estimation of antioxidant intakes from diet and supplement in U.S. adults. J Nutr (In revision)
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song. Estimated dietary isoflavone intake validated by urinary excretion of major isoflavones and their metabolites in US adults. J Am Diet Assoc. 109(2):245-54, 2009.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun. Tea consumption is major sources of flavan-3-ol and flavonol in US diet. J Nutr. 138(8): 1543S-1547S, 2008.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Kate Claycombe, Won O. Song. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations are inversely associated with dietary flavonoids intake in US adults. J Nutr. 138(4):753-60, 2008.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun, Inkyeong Hwang, Han Seung Shin, Bong-Gwan Kim, Kun Soo Kim, Sang-Yun Lee, Dayeon Shin, Sung G. Lee. Soy isoflavones as safe and functional ingredients. J Med Food. 10:571-580, 2007.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song. Estimated dietary flavonoids intake and major sources of US adults. J Nutr. 137:1244-1252, 2007.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun, Jean Kerver, Susan Cho, Chin-Eun Chung, and Sang-jin Chung. Ready-to-eat cereal consumption enhances milk and calcium intake in the U.S. population. J Am Diet Assoc. 106 (11):1783-1789, 2006.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun, Saori Obayashi, Susan Cho and Chin-Eun Chung. Is consumption of breakfast associated with body mass index in US adults? J Am Diet Assoc 105:1373-1382, 2005.
  • Chin-Eun Chung, Ock K. Chun and Won O. Song. Serum homocysteine concentration of US adults is associated with fortified cereal consumption. J Am Coll Nutr. 24 (6): 503-509, 2005.
  • Mi-Gyung Lee, Ock K. Chun, and Won O. Song. Determinants of the blood lead concentration of American women of reproductive age: NHANES III (1988-94). J Am Coll Nutr. 24 (1): 1-9, 2005.
  • Young Jun Kim, Dae-Ok Kim, Ock K. Chun, Jae Seon Park, Chang Yong Lee, David B. Wilson. Polyphenol extraction from apple peel by cellulases from Thermobifida fusca. J Agric Food Chem.53(24):9560-9565, 2005.
  • Ock K. Chun, Dae-Ok Kim, Nancy Smith, David Schroeder, Jae Taek Han and Chang Yong Lee. Daily consumption of phenolics and total antioxidant capacity from fruits and vegetables in American diet. J Sci Food Agric. 85:1715-1724, 2005.
  • Ock K. Chun, Dae-Ok Kim. Consideration on the equivalent chemicals in total phenolic assay of chlorogenic acid-rich plums. Food Research International. 37(4): 337-342, 2004.
  • Ock K. Chun, Nancy Smith, Amber Sakagawa, and Chang Yong Lee. Antioxidant properties of various raw and processed cabbages. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 55(3): 191-199, 2004
  • Jae-Taek Han, Myun-Ho Bang, Ock K. Chun, Dae-Ok Kim, Chang-Young Lee and Nam-In Baek. Antioxidative activity of flavonol glycosides from the leaves of Aceriphyllum rossii. Arch Pharm Res. 27(4): 390-395, 2004.
  • Ock K. Chun, Dae-Ok Kim, Hae Yeon Moon, Hee Gon Kang, and Chang Yong Lee. Contribution of individual polyphenolics to total antioxidant capacity of Plums. J Agric Food Chem. 51:7240-7245, 2003.
  • Ock K. Chun, Dae-Ok Kim, and Chang Yong Lee. Superoxide radical scavenging activity of polyphenols in fresh plums. J Agric Food Chem. 51:8067-8072, 2003.
  • Dae-Ok Kim, Ock K. Chun, Young Jun Kim, Hae-Yeon Moon, and Chang Yong Lee. Quantification of polyphenolics and their antioxidant activity in fresh plums. J Agric Food Chem. 51: 6509-6515, 2003.
  • Dae-Ok Kim, Ki Won Lee, Ock K. Chun, Hyung Joo Lee and Chang Yong Lee. Antiproliferative activity of polyphenolics in plums. Food Sci Biotechnol. 12: 399-402, 2003.
  • Ock K. Chun and Hee Gon Kang. Estimation of risks of pesticide exposure, by food intake, to Koreans. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 41(8): 1063-1076, 2003
  • Ock K. Chun and Hee Gon Kang. Multiresidue method for the determination of pesticide residues in Korean crops by GC/MSD. Journal of AOAC International, Jul-Aug;86(4):823-31, 2003.

Peer-Review Journal Articles (In Preparation)

  • Ock K. Chun, Chin Eun Chung, Susan Cho, Andrea Padgitt, and Won O. Song. Changes in the dietary intake and sources of total and added sugars, and energy in the U.S. Public Health Nutr (Submitted in July 9, 2009)
  • Won O. Song, Chin Eun Chung, Ock K. Chun, Susan Cho and Saori Obayashi. Does added sugar consumption account for increased prevalence of obesity in the U.S.? Public Health Nutr (Submitted in August 28, 2009)
  • Anna Floegel, Sang-Jin Chung, Chin Eun Chung, Susan Cho, Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun. Antioxidant intakes reduce the serum C-reactive protein concentrations in U.S. (In preparation)
  • Anna Floegel, Maria-Luz Fernandez, Richard Bruno, Sang-Jin Chung, Dae-Ok Kim, Ock K. Chun. Development of an Algorithm to Establish a Total Antioxidant Capacity Database of U.S. diet. (In preparation)
  • Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun. Serum carotenoid concentration predicted by dietary intake in the US. (In preparation)

Conference Proceedings / Paper presentations (since 2003)

  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song. Estimated intake of proanthocyanidin in the US population. Experimental Biology Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 20, 2009.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song. Serum carotenoid concentration predicted by dietary intake in the US. The 33rd National Nutrient Databank Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 17, 2009.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Chin Eun Chung, Susan Cho, Won O. Song. Antioxidant intakes reduce the serum C-reactive protein concentrations in the U.S. The 32nd National Nutrient Databank Conference, Ottawa, Ca, May 12, 2008.
  • Ock K. Chun, Chin Eun Chung, Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song. Estimated intake of antioxidants from supplements in the US. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, April 8, 2008.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Chin Eun Chung, Won O. Song. Estimated intake of total antioxidants from diets and supplements in the U.S. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, April 8, 2008.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun, Tea consumption contributes to flavonoid intake among US adults. 4th International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health, Washington DC, September 18, 2007.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sang-Jin Chung, Won O. Song. Validation of dietary isoflavone intake by urinary isoflavone concentrations in US adults. Experimental Biology Meeting, Washington DC, April 29, 2007.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sangjin Chung, Won O. Song. Tea consumption is a determinant of flavonoid intake among US adults. The 30th National Nutrient Databank Conference, Honolulu, HI, September 19, 2006.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sangjin Chung, Saori Obayashi, Won O. Song. Flavonoid intake of US adults estimated by the expanded USDA flavonoid databases. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Francisco, April 2, 2006.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun, Sangjin Chung, Kate Claycome. Regression of serum C-reactive protein concentrations by dietary flavonoid intake in U.S. adults. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Francisco, April 4, 2006.
  • Ock K. Chun, Sangjin Chung, Jean M. Kerver, Saori Obayashi, Won O. Song. Estimated dietary flavonoid intakes of US population. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, April 2, 2005.
  • Won O. Song, Ock K. Chun. Is obesity development associated with increased dietary sugar intake in the U.S.? Pre-IFT Workshop, Las Vegas, NV, July 11, 2004.
  • Jean Marie Kerver, Ock K. Chun and Won O. Song. Serum homocysteine concentration in relation to egg consumption and B-vitamin status in U.S. adults. Session of Dietary Intake and Biomarkers of Nutrient Status, Experimental Biology Meeting, Washington DC, April, 2004.
  • Won O. Song, Susan S. Cho, Ock K. Chun and Chin Eun Chung. Changes in the sources of dietary sugar intake in the US. Session of Food Composition, Experimental Biology Meeting, Washington DC, April, 2004.
  • Young Jun Kim, Dae Ok Kim, Ock K. Chun, Chang Y. Lee, D. H. Shin, and David B. Wilson. Phenolic extraction from apple peels using purified Thermobifida fusca cellulases. Session of Food Chemistry: colloidal systems and enzyme chemistry, IFT Annual Meeting at Las Vegas, NV, July, 2004.
  • Dae Ok Kim, Ock K. Chun, Hae Yeon Moon, and Chang Y. Lee. Vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity of various polyphenolics, fruits, and vegetables and the polyphenolic structure-bioactivity relationship. Session of Food Chemistry: Lipids, antioxidants and emulsifiers, IFT Annual Meeting at Chicago, IL, July, 2003.
News and Updates

Fall 2009 Seminar Series
A Seminar Series Presented by the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut
More Information

 

Positions Open

Professor & Director of Functional Foods Initiative

Nutritional Sciences, 75% Research and 25% Teaching, 10 month, tenure-track. – Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed beginning November 30, 2009 until the positions are filled.

Assistant/Associate Professor

Nutritional Sciences, 50% research and 50% teaching, 9 month, tenure-track. – Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed beginning October 12, 2009 until the positions are filled.