Bobby Kyungbeom Cheon, Ph.D.

Dr. Cheon's research investigates the health impacts of psychological experiences associated with disparities, such as discrimination, low perceived social status, and economic/resource insecurities. His work examines contributions of such psychosocial factors to eating behaviors, food preferences, and diet-related chronic diseases (e.g., obesity). His current initiatives seek to identify: 1) the mechanisms through which perceived socioeconomic disadvantage generates risk of excess energy intake among individuals and families; 2) the relative contribution of status-related threats (e.g., social rejection) to trajectories of obesity and metabolic disease; and 3) psychosocially based interventions that may buffer vulnerable individuals against harmful effects of perceived disadvantage and disparities.

Prior to joining NICHD, Dr. Cheon was an associate professor in the psychology department of Nanyang Technological University, in Singapore, and a principal investigator at the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences within the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR). Dr. Cheon received his bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. in psychology from Northwestern University. He completed postdoctoral training at the Business School of Nanyang Technological University, focusing on inter-cultural and inter-group processes (e.g., cultural diversity, discrimination, and cooperation/competition).