The CDC Leaders

"A multidisciplinary research agenda in genomics will begin to close the information gap between gene discoveries and our ability to use genetic information to prevent disease and improve health."

- Muin J. Khoury, MD, PhD

Muin J. Khoury, MD, PhD

Director, National Office of Public Health Genomics

As founding director of CDC's National Office of Public Health Genomics, Muin J. Khoury, MD, PhD, is responsible for oversight of the ongoing assessments of the impact of advances in human genetics and the Human Genome Project on public health and disease prevention.

Doctor Khoury began his career at CDC in 1980, as an EIS officer in the Birth Defects Branch before taking the position of medical epidemiologist in 1987. In 1990, he became deputy chief of the same branch.

He received his BS degree in biology/chemistry from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and his medical degree and pediatrics training from the same institution. He received a PhD in human genetics/genetic epidemiology and training in medical genetics from The Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Khoury is board-certified in medical genetics.

He has been the recipient of many special awards, to include the Public Health Service Special Recognition award and Arthur Fleming award. In 1998, Dr. Khoury was credentialed by the Senior Biomedical Research Service for outstanding contributions to public health. In 2000, he received the CDC Research Honor Award for outstanding national leadership in genetics and public health. In 2005, he received the National Cancer Institute Visiting Scholar award for leadership and vision in genetic epidemiology and public health.

Doctor Khoury has published extensively in the fields of genetic epidemiology and public health genetics. He has over 300 scientific publications including articles, books, and book chapters. He is a member of many professional societies and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. Dr. Khoury is a frequent keynote speaker at many academic institutions, professional organization meetings, as well as state, regional, national, and international conferences. He also serves on several scientific, public health, and health policy national and international committees.

He is an adjunct professor of epidemiology at Emory's School of Public Health and an associate in the Department of Epidemiology at The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.