Sam's doctoral work (PhD in epidemiology, UCLA) focused on the molecular and genetic epidemiology of smoking-related cancers, particularly in the investigation of immune-related hypotheses. He also has a Master of Public Health degree from San Diego State University (health promotion) and a Bachelor of Science in animal physiology and neuroscience from UCSD. Sam’s research interests include health disparities, gene-environment interactions, cancer, and heart disease.
Sam's current project investigates how in utero and secondhand smoke exposures affect asthma risk and severity in Latino and African American populations. His other projects include changes in smoking topology, asthma-related hospitalizations, and comparisons of health care costs before and after enactment of smoking bans.
