Richard KWOK

Biography

Dr. Richard Kwok is a Program Director for the Population Studies and Genetics Branch of the Division of Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Kwok is an environmental epidemiologist with experience in multi-site epidemiologic studies of chronic disease outcomes across the life span. His interests span the environmental health sciences from exposure assessment and personal dosimetry to biomonitoring and the exposome as it applies to Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and its precursors across the life course. He is involved in number of trans-NIH and interagency working groups on a range of topics including: large data harmonization and common data elements efforts; climate change; disasters and wildfires; and the All of Us Research Program.

Prior to joining NIA, Dr. Kwok served in a variety of roles at NIEHS including staff scientist, program director, and acting Chief-of-Staff of the institute. His work has included research into disasters and climate change, air and water pollution, including heavy metals like arsenic, oil spill chemicals, particulate matter, and non-ionizing UV radiation exposures with outcomes including cancer, cardiovascular, mental health, neurologic, reproductive and respiratory health outcomes. Dr. Kwok received his B.S.P.H. in environmental science, and his M.S.P.H. and Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.