Biography
Current Positions & Affiliations
2024
21st Deputy Secretary-GeneralTaiwan Public Health Association
2023
DirectorDepartment of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University
2022
ProfessorDepartment of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University
2020
Part-Time Associate ResearcherCentre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM)
Education & Training
Postdoc
University of California at Los Angeles, Epidemiology (2013)
PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Epidemiology (2011)
MS
University of Colorado Denver, Environmental Sciences (2007)
Professional Experience
2023–2025
Jean D'Alembert fellowship programmeUniversité Paris-Saclay
2021–2022
ChairDepartment of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
2020–2022
ProfessorDepartment of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
2016–2020
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
2016
Visiting ScholarInstitut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM)
2013–2016
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Honors & Recognition
2023
Sustainable Interdisciplinary Integrated Project Outstanding AwardNational Cheng Kung University
2014
Campus Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student MentoringNational Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Research Highlights
Research Summary
My research interests consist of three main areas, including: examining the influences of air pollution on health, exploration of risk factors and disease progression in Parkinson's disease or dementia, and examining the influences of prenatal exposure on childhood health risks in life-course epidemiology. The air pollution studies focus primarily on the impact of ambient air pollution on vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly. The main focus of research on Parkinson's disease or dementia involves exploring risk factors and prognostic factors, including environmental exposures and the interaction between environmental and genetic factors in influencing the risk of disease onset and disease progression. In life-course epidemiology, the research focuses on investigating maternal exposure to medication, disease conditions, or environmental factors during pregnancy and their association with fetal development and the subsequent risk of childhood cancer or neurobehavioral disorders in offspring.
Notable Projects & Activities
Download Projects List
2022–2027
PI
Surface Monitor Operations Support for the MAIA Project in Taiwan
This project studied the influences of air pollution on human health via satellite instrument.
Funded by: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2023–2026
PI
Early life risk factors for childhood cancer: an international collaboration with the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC)
By participating the International Organization for Children's Cancer Research, this research can not only participate in the urgent questions that need to be answered in this field, but also use the name of Taiwan to join, participate, and contribute academically. For this reason, the topics to be discussed in this project can not only provide more complete epidemiological data on children cancer in our country over the past ten years, explore relevant risk factors of international interest and provide reference for future prevention, but also take advantage of international inter-academic cooperation to provide a larger sample size to respond to the research with a small incidence rate. Most importantly, we hope that the Taiwanese research participation will allow the international community to have more understanding and recognition of Taiwan, thus enhancing Taiwan's visibility through academic cooperation.
Funded by: National Science and Technology Council (112-2314-B-006-068-MY3)
2023–2024
Co-PI
Multidimensional evaluation of nature-based solutions on greenness in climate change mitigation: the analyses of school green greenery.
Our team has established collaborative links with central and local governing bodies. In addition to continuing our analysis of the temperature regulation and air pollution purification benefits of campus green spaces, we plan to apply the "CASA+UAV" algorithm for carbon sequestration estimation in Chiayi City next year. We hope this research's outcomes will substantially contribute to achieving the net-zero carbon emission target by 2050.
Funded by: National Cheng Kung University
2022–2024
PI
Acetaminophen and Childhood Cancer Risk
A strength of the proposed study design is that we avoid selection bias by potential inclusion of all children born in Taiwan in the period for which data are available. Taiwan is one of the few places such as study can be conducted, due to the availability of prospective registry-based data on APAP use. The results will help guide recommendations on medication use in the pregnancy period.
Funded by: University of North Texas
2022–2023
PI
The Association between Ambient Air Pollution, DNA Methylation, and Progression of Parkinson’s Disease
Our focus on DNA methylation and environmental exposures to air pollution will contribute to public health policy regulation of air pollution in Taiwan, and improve our understanding of the biological pathways that affect dopamine neuron viability in humans.
Funded by: National Science and Technology Council (111-2314-B-006-112)
2000–2023
PI
Air pollution health literacy (2023)
The aim of this project is to utilize the outdoor air pollution health literacy materials designed in this project for public education and outreach, aiming to enhance public awareness of indoor and outdoor air pollution, health effects, and protective measures. This will facilitate the enhancement of public health literacy.
Funded by: Ministry of Health and Welfare (B1111116)
Courses Instructed
ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH
2 Credits
．EN
Contact Information
Contact Methods
Office Location
Find My Office
Room 08093
NCKU Hospital Outpatient Building Floor 8,
138 Shengli Road, North District, Tainan 704302
Mailing Address
Pei-Chen Lee
(NCKU Public Health)
NCKU Hospital Outpatient Building Floor 8,
138 Shengli Road, North District, Tainan 704302