Tuo Liu
PhD Environmental Health Sciences
B.S. Environmental Science
M.S. Environmental Health Sciences
PhD Environmental Health Sciences
My research bridges environmental/occupational exposure, statistical analysis, and public health interventions. I focus on applying metabolomics and proteomics to better understand how environmental and occupational exposures impact vulnerable populations, particularly frontline and essential workers such as firefighters and healthcare professionals.
LT is an environmental health scientist with expertise in omics technologies, statistical analysis, and occupational health research. He recently earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences, with a minor in Biostatistics, from the University of Arizona. Currently, he works as a Postdoc-research associate at the department of Population and Public Health Science at USC where he evaluates the metabolic profiles by bone mineral density across life span in Latino populations and investigates PFAS effect(s) on liver health.
LT considers himself a problem solver, whether in academia or the private sector, his future research goals aim to provide practical solutions to address health burdens. He hopes to reduce cancer rate among the population with his biggest inspiration coming from an experience engaging with the community.
While researching environmental and occupational exposures impacting firefighters in Seattle, he was moved by a story of a firefighter who had passed away from cancer, leaving his wife and 2 kids. LT felt the drive to provide support to frontline workers who are passionate about continuing their careers yet are not able to reduce their occupational health risks.
It made him think of other occupations that may have abnormal rates of certain conditions, making him question how it varies between different professions.
For those who wish to pursue a similar career path, he encourages others to explore the different approaches that can be made such as community involvement and translational research. Beyond his research, he is passionate about translating complex scientific findings into accessible knowledge that informs public health policies and interventions. He also creates interactive tools and visualizations to help bridge the gap between data science and community health practice.
There is economic approach as well, or political approach, as long as you are interested in these problems, this research is meaningful, there are multiple ways to do it, research isn’t for everyone.
LT’s response in how additional support can be provided to reduce occupational environmental exposures
Beyond his research, LT is passionate about making science accessible—developing interactive tools, visualizations, and knowledge translation approaches that connect data-driven discoveries to public health policy and practice. Across all his work, he is guided by the commitment to raising public awareness, improve occupational health, and innovate at the intersection of environmental exposures, data science, and public health.
Explore LT’s profiles!
