Jimmy Zhang

Jimmy Zhang, also known as Junfeng Zhang, is a prominent academic at Duke University where he serves as a Professor of Global and Environmental Health and the Chair of the Environmental Sciences and Policy Division within the Nicholas School of the Environment. He joined Duke in 2013 after a tenure at the University of Southern California, where he was a professor and director of the Environmental and Biomarkers Analysis Laboratory.12

Academic Background and Career

• Education: Dr. Zhang earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University in 1994.
• Previous Positions: Before his role at Duke, he held various academic positions, including professor and department chair at Rutgers School of Public Health.12
• Research Focus: His research interests encompass developing biomarkers for human exposure to environmental hazards, assessing the health impacts of air pollution, and exploring the biological mechanisms through which environmental factors affect health.12 He has authored over 290 peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized for his contributions to environmental health science.

Notable Achievements

• Dr. Zhang was an officially recognized contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
• He received the Jeremy Wesolowski Award from the International Society of Exposure Science in 2012, highlighting his significant contributions to the field.12

Current Research Projects

Dr. Zhang is currently leading several international collaborations focused on:

• The health impacts of air pollution interventions.
• The effects of engineered nanomaterials on health.
• Studies examining how air pollution affects respiratory diseases in urban populations in China and the United States.12

In summary, Jimmy Zhang is a distinguished figure in global health research, particularly known for his work on environmental health impacts and policy advocacy.