Jiyoung Lee

Dr. Jiyoung Lee is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University, with a joint appointment in the Division of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health. She serves as Co-Director of the Thematic Program of Ecology, Epidemiology, and Population Health at the Infectious Disease Institute. Her research focuses on microbial contamination in water-food environments, antibiotic resistance, and their health implications, employing interdisciplinary methods such as metagenomics and geospatial tools. Key areas include harmful algal blooms, cyanotoxins, and gut microbiome dynamics. She has pioneered studies on microbial source tracking, green infrastructure for pollution mitigation, and innovative solutions like cyanophage treatments for toxic cyanobacteria.

Dr. Lee holds a PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan and BS/MS degrees in Microbiology from Seoul National University. Her work bridges environmental and public health, addressing global challenges like antimicrobial resistance and water safety through collaborative One Health approaches. Recent projects include wastewater surveillance for infectious disease tracking, sustainable bioremediation strategies, and reducing exposure risks in vulnerable populations worldwide.

Scientific contributions span over 100 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on freshwater ecosystems, pathogen transmission pathways, and policy-relevant solutions for emerging health threats. Her lab integrates field studies with advanced molecular techniques, emphasizing real-world applications to improve food safety and environmental health outcomes.