# Raphael E. Cuomo

Raphael E. Cuomo is an American biomedical scientist and professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine. He is known for his applications of biostatistics and health informatics to various global health challenges, especially cancer epidemiology and tobacco-related health disparities. Cuomo is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and a member of the Delta Omega honorary society. He is board certified in public health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE).

## Early life and education

During his undergraduate studies, Cuomo volunteered in hospital emergency departments and organized vaccination initiatives during the H1N1 pandemic. He took part in a medical program at Yale University and completed a clinical externship at the Washington Hospital Center's Cardiac Arrhythmia Center. Cuomo later pursued a Master in Public Health at San Diego State University, focusing on health management and policy. His master's thesis examined approaches to reducing maternal mortality globally. Additionally, he undertook graduate-level coursework to earn a professional certificate in sustainability science from Harvard University.
Cuomo has contributed to public health research through collaborations with various organizations, including Leidos, the Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, and the Worldwide Orphans Foundation. He completed his PhD in Global Health at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, focusing his dissertation on global access to cancer medications, involving collaborations with the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

## Research

Cuomo’s research focuses on global health challenges by integrating epidemiology, biostatistics, and policy analysis:
* Cancer Epidemiology: Cuomo researched potential links between low ultraviolet B exposure and cancers like colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia. His research, using data from NASA, explored the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency contributes to cancer progression.
* Tobacco Control and E-Cigarettes: Cuomo analyzed online marketing practices for e-cigarettes and tobacco products, exploring trends in digital engagement and associated health risks.
* Clinical Informatics: Cuomo's work includes analyses of the role of serum calcifediol and mortality risks in colon cancer patients, racial disparities in cirrhosis survival among individuals with alcohol use disorder, and the health impacts of substance use disorders among cancer patients.
* Health Policy: Cuomo used machine learning approaches to study opioid abuse and worked on cost models for cancer treatment in developing countries.
Cuomo is also author of the book "Public Health Perceptions of American Youth", which discusses public health issues affecting youth in the United States.

## Editorial roles

Cuomo is Section Editor for JMIR Infodemiology and Handling Editor for Frontiers in Public Health.

## Personal life

Cuomo lives in San Diego with his wife, Fernanda, and their two children, Camila and Chloe. He served as a military officer in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps from 2018 to 2020.