My main research interest includes epigenetics as biomarkers in relation to unmodifiable and modifiable (particularly tobacco use) disease risk factors. Epigenetics is one of the fascinating biological indicators in public health research. It is because epigenetics can switch genes on or off without changing the DNA sequence and can change over time through different lifestyle and environmental influences. I have extended my epigenetics study into multi-omics-based studies with an advanced laboratory approach by integrating transcriptomics, metabolomics, and inflammation. My long-term research goal is to understand (epi)gene-environmental interactions that ultimately control and prevent diseases. 

As an independent researcher, I have been developing and expanding a research program to address the effects of tobacco products in susceptible or more vulnerable populations, including adolescents and patients with pre-existing pulmonary diseases, minority, and unrepresented populations. Thus, I want to build up my research program to identify the individual- and population-level health effects of tobacco product use. This work assists tobacco regulatory agencies in mitigating the potentially harmful health effects of tobacco products and informing the public and people considering or using tobacco products for their choices and awareness. I hope that this effort using biomarkers can contribute to an ultimate reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use, preventing tobacco-related diseases.

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Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Min-ae+Song

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