Sungeun Choi

Sungeun Choi, PhD, RDN, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences at Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY). She holds dual affiliations with Queens College and previously served as a Research Scholar & Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2004-2008), and a Visiting Researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2003-2004). Her expertise bridges Food Sensory Science and Nutritional Science, with a focus on taste perception, cultural influences on food preferences, and dietary interventions for obesity and diabetes.

Dr. Choi’s research emphasizes culturally tailored dietary interventions, optimizing food formulations through sensory evaluation, and addressing health disparities in immigrant communities. She has received notable awards including the Fulbright Specialist grant (2024-2027) and multiple travel awards from CUNY. Her work spans clinical trials involving miracle fruit applications for weight loss and culturally adapted breast cancer prevention programs for Korean immigrant women in NYC.

Dr. Choi teaches courses such as Science of Foods, Cultural and Ethnic Foods, and Experimental Foods, integrating practical and theoretical aspects of nutrition. Her grants include studies on taste preferences in diabetes management and ethnic soup recipe analysis. She actively contributes to professional societies like the American Society for Nutrition and the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, serving in leadership roles such as President of the Korean-American Women in Science and Engineering (KWiSE) chapter.

Her research trends reflect a strong focus on sensory-driven dietary interventions, cultural adaptations in nutrition programs, and translational studies linking taste perception to health outcomes. Key collaborations include co-developing educational programs with institutions like Montclair State University and publishing in journals spanning Appetite, Journal of Cancer Education, and Food Science.

• Professional Service: Advisory roles at Montclair State University, KSEA, and Queens College’s Research Center for Korean Community.
• Lab Focus: Sensory Lab investigations into miracle fruit applications and culturally tailored interventions.