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RCMI (Administrative Core)



Dr. Paul Tchounwou

MPI, RCMI (Administrative Core)

Office: Dixon Research Center 200
Phone: (443) 885-1530
paul.tchounwou@morgan.edu

Education:

Ph.D in Molecular Toxicology and Cancer Research, Tulane University Medical Center, 1996 
Sc.D in Environmental Toxicology, Tulane University Medical Center, 1990 
M.S.P.H in Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University Medical Center, 1986
M.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Yaounde, CA, 1984 
B.Sc. in  Biological Sciences, University of Yaounde, CA, 1983 

Dr. Paul B. Tchounwou joined the Morgan family in January of 2023, after an extensive national search. Dr. Tchounwou comes with over 30 years of higher education experience including 26 years at Jackson State University (JSU) where he has demonstrated outstanding performance as an academic leader and administrator.

From 2013 to 2020 he served as Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies and International Programs in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology(CSET). In that capacity, he provided a strong leadership to ensure that CSET continuously strengthens its research portfolio, conducts innovative research, offers the highest quality graduate programs, and implements the best caliber of international programming.

From 2011 to 2012 Dr. Tchounwou served as CSET Interim Dean, and provided leadership to maintain the stability and continued development of strong STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs. From 2006 to 2010 he served as Associate Dean of School of Science and Technology, and fostered the development and implementation of excellent quality science and technology programs offered through six academic departments.

From 2004 to 2006 Dr. Tchounwou served as Chairperson of the Biology Department, and provided a transformative leadership that resulted in JSU being ranked 2nd in the production of African Americans with BS in Biology and Biomedical Science. Dr. Tchounwou served as Director of the JSU Doctoral Program in Environmental Science since 1996. His strong dedication to this Program has led to the production of over 100 PhD scholars who have gone on to obtain rewarding jobs in academia, government and state agencies, and the booming environmental industry. As a result of his transformative impact and contributions toward the production of African American doctorates in STEM, Dr. Tchounwou received the 2013 AAAS Mentor Award bestowed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the 2018 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) bestowed by the White House.

Dr. Tchounwou served as PI & Executive Director of: NIH-RCMI Center for Environmental Health; NIH-RCMI Translational Research Network Data Technology Coordinating Center; DoDCenter of Excellence in STEM Education; and DoEd-First in the World Program in STEM. He is also a Co-PI of NSF-CREST Center for Nanotoxicity Studies. Dr. Tchounwou is an internationally known biomedical scientist whose research focuses on the elucidation of cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of therapeutic drugs and xenobiotic compounds. During his time at JSU, he secured over $100 million in grantsmanship to support academic and research excellence. He is author of 294 refereed publications and over 600 scientific presentations. He is the Editor-In-Chief of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF-3.39), and Environmental Toxicology (IF-4.12), and Associate Editor of Frontiers in Oncology (IF-6.24). He is a recipient of the 2003 Millennium Award for Excellence in Research at HBCUs from the White House.

Dr. Tchounwou is a selected member of Delta Omega Honorary Public Health Society. He is also member of: AAAS, American Association for Cancer Research, American Public Health Association, National Environmental Health association, Society of Toxicology, and New York Academy of Science. He is a Distinguished Fellow of International Engineering and Technology Institute, Fellow of African Scientific Institute, and Fellow of the American Biographical Institute. He is highlighted in: American Registry of Outstanding Professionals; Marquis Who’s Who in American
Education; Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare; Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering; Marquis Who’s Who in America; Marquis Who’s Who in the World; and International Who’s Who of Professionals.

Dr. Tchounwou received his B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Yaounde, Cameroon. He earned his M.S.P.H. in Environmental Health and Sc.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. He also did post-doctoral research in molecular toxicology and carcinogenesis at Tulane University Medical Center.

Dr. Tchounwou also serves as the Dean of the School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.