Exposure Science and Precision Health Laboratory
Research Field
Dr. Wei-Hsiang Chang holds a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degrees in Environmental Science and Exposure, Mass spectrometry, Epidemiology & Risk analysis from National Cheng Kung University. He is one of the faculty at Department of Food Safety & Hygiene and Risk Management, NCKU and also a direct at the Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, NCKU. Dr. Wei-Hsiang 's work is wide-ranging, and focuses on defining sources, magnitudes, consequences and risk of human exposure to environmental and foodborne contaminants, as well as identifying and evaluating strategies to reduce hazard exposures and communicate with the public. He also performs targeted and non-targeted multi-omics (foodomics and metabolomics) technology approaches. Human biomonitoring of environmental and foodborne contaminants to measure the body burden of contaminants and possible active mechanisms on human diseases. Health risk assessment of dietary exposure to contaminants and food additives using the probabilistic and sensitive approaches. Dr. Wei-Hsiang is principal investigator on numerous research studies for MOST, FDA, EPA, and others in recent years.
Much of my current research involves the investigations of the links between food ingredients, production processes, and emerging contaminants in food and food supply system (food contact materials) on human exposure and health risk using targeted and non-targeted multi-omics (foodomics and metabolomics) technology approaches. Human biomonitoring of environmental and foodborne contaminants to measure the body burden of contaminants and possible active mechanisms on human diseases. Health risk assessment of dietary exposure to contaminants and food additives using the probabilistic and sensitive approaches.
🔬 WH Lab – Exposure Science and Precision Health Laboratory
👨🔬 Principal Investigator: Dr. Wei-Hsiang Chang
🎯 Research Vision
The Exposure Science and Precision Health Laboratory (WH Lab) at National Cheng Kung University is dedicated to advancing environmental health research through comprehensive exposure assessment, biomonitoring, and chemical risk analysis. Led by Dr. Wei-Hsiang Chang, the lab integrates cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques (e.g., LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, LC-QTOF) to detect and quantify legacy and emerging contaminants such as phthalates, organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), bisphenol A, and food processing by-products. By combining targeted and untargeted analysis, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, and multi-omics approaches, the lab aims to elucidate exposure-health relationships and inform risk management strategies. WH Lab actively contributes to national environmental health policies and food safety initiatives and supports vulnerable population health through translational research and precision public health approaches.
🧪 Major Research Directions
- Chemical Analysis of Emerging and Legacy Contaminants
- Targeted & non-targeted analysis using LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and LC-QTOF
- Trace detection of EDCs, OPFRs, phthalates, MCPDEs, GEs, BPA, and others in food and environmental matrices
- Human Exposure & Biomonitoring
- Exposure reconstruction via urine, serum, breast milk, dust, and air sampling
- Application of PBPK models to assess internal dose from environmental and dietary sources
- Identification of exposure biomarkers: perchlorate, thiocyanate, TdGA, NP, BPA, etc.
- Food Safety and Risk Assessment
- Probabilistic and cumulative risk assessment of food additives and contaminants
- Management strategies based on hazard index and toxicity equivalency
- Projects on GEs/MCPDEs and dioxin surveillance in high-risk foods
- Multi-Omics & Mechanistic Toxicology
- Integration of metabolomics with exposomics to explore biological effects
- Identification of altered pathways due to environmental stressors
- Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
- Epidemiological studies of vulnerable populations (e.g., children, reproductive-age women, elderly)
- Health impact assessments near industrial areas and science parks
- Award of Young Researcher Excellence in Research, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University (2024)
- Award of FutureTech, National Science and Technology Council (2024)
- Kung-Pei Chen Memorial Award of Excellence in Research (Advice PhD student) (2023)
- Award of Excellence in Research, NCKU hospital Cheng-Hsing Medical Foundation (2023)
- Award of Global ILSI Federation Scholars Travel (IFST) (2022)
- Grand Award of Global ILSI Food Safety and Risk Analysis (2015)
- Ph. D Environmental and Occupational Health of National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
- M.S Occupational Safety and Health of Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
- B.S Public Health of Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
Job Description
Overview
Unhealthy environments contribute to approximately 75% of the global disease burden. Environmental exposures such as air pollution, hazardous chemicals, unbalanced diets, and limited access to green spaces are major contributors to poor health and chronic disease development.
This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of human exposome science—a holistic approach that integrates all physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial exposures across the human lifespan. This pioneering framework allows for comprehensive analysis of how multiple exposures interact and impact human health, and aims to elucidate mechanisms underlying non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, immune disorders, and metabolic syndromes.
Interns will also have the opportunity to support advanced work on patient-derived tissue or biologoical samples, a model that bridges exposome data with personalized medicine by enabling functional testing of environmental impacts on human.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in literature reviews and data mining on environmental risk factors and their health impacts
- Support data integration and interpretation of multi-omics and environmental exposure datasets
- Contribute to the design and analysis of exposome-related health outcome models
- Assist in drafting scientific reports, presentations, and manuscripts
- Attend and contribute to lab meetings, seminars, and project discussions
Preferred Intern Education Level
Undergraduate or graduate student in public health, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, bioinformatics, or related fields
Skill sets or Qualities
Preferred Qualifications
- Undergraduate or graduate student in public health, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, bioinformatics, or related fields
- Basic knowledge of environmental health, toxicology, or molecular biology
- Interest in systems biology, exposomics, or personalized medicine
- Experience with laboratory techniques or data analysis (e.g., R, Python, or statistical software) is a plus
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
Job Description
Maternal nutrition and environmental exposures during pregnancy play a critical role in shaping fetal development and long-term child health. Dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and exposure to food-related contaminants can influence outcomes such as birth weight, neurodevelopment, and immune system maturation.
This internship provides an opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary research exploring the links between maternal diet, pregnancy health, and early childhood development. Projects may include analyzing maternal dietary patterns, assessing exposure to foodborne contaminants (e.g., endocrine-disrupting chemicals), and investigating their combined effects on infant growth and development, including potential mechanisms through metabolomics and exposomics.
Interns will be part of a collaborative research environment integrating epidemiology, nutritional assessment, toxicology, and developmental biology.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct literature reviews on maternal diet, environmental exposures, and child health outcomes
- Support data collection and cleaning for dietary surveys, exposure assessments, or birth outcome records
- Assist in statistical analysis of maternal-infant cohort data
- Participate in biological sample processing (e.g., breast milk, urine) and preparation for omics analysis
- Contribute to writing reports, scientific manuscripts, or knowledge translation materials
- Engage in regular lab meetings and interdisciplinary discussions
Preferred Intern Education Level
Undergraduate or graduate student in public health, nutrition, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, bioinformatics, or related fields
Skill sets or Qualities
Preferred Qualifications
- Undergraduate or graduate student in nutrition, public health, epidemiology, environmental health, or a related field
- Basic knowledge of maternal and child health, nutritional epidemiology, or exposure science
- Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, or Python) is a plus
- Experience with dietary data analysis, 24-hour recalls, or FFQs is an asset
- Strong attention to detail, organization skills, and team collaboration