Cho is a third culture kid, meaning that she grew up in a culture that was not her passport. More precisely, she grew up in 7 countries and the island of Guam, and has since lived in an additional 2 countries and 6 states as an adult. Through her upbringing, she came to see the same causes of health disparities rear their ugly heads over and over and over again, regardless of borders. Whether she was in a village in the Balkans or the bush in South Africa, she noticed that history, and the social environment resulting from that country’s history could determine a person’s health trajectory. She also realized that one way to overcome these health disparities was through social networks as it’s not always what you know but who you know. To begin answering these questions, Dr. Cho-Hee Shrader conducts research as a tenure-track Assistant Professor and nurse clinician at Rutgers University. 

Bridging public health and clinical nursing, Dr. Shrader’s research focuses on how social networks, community environments, and structural factors influence substance use and HIV-related outcomes, particularly among racially, sexually, and gender minoritized populations. Grounded in a strong commitment to health equity, her work examines how neighborhood, social, and individual-level factors shape health outcomes across diverse communities.

Through her research and clinical training, Dr. Shrader is dedicated to advancing equitable, systems-level change. As a board member of WiSH, she contributes a research-driven perspective on equity and access, helping inform programs that address the structural barriers faced by students pursuing careers in science and healthcare.

What do you wish someone would have told you when you were in high school?

I wish that someone would have told me in high school that the habit of persistence is the habit of victory. I failed my first year of college, but with the guidance of a dear mentor, I was able to pass them all (with flying colors) on the second try. Chemistry equations that didn’t make sense suddenly became second nature. I could draw organic reactions with my eyes shut. I even became the class representative for Biology I and II and went on to become a TA for Biology II. This was all at the heed of various mentors who saw that I had potential but I was going to slip through the system without guidance. Without that guidance and mentorship I would have been totally lost. But through the watchful eyes of my mentors, including an incredible college professor who knew my interests better than I did at times, I was able to realize my life’s purpose- to become a nurse and professor in public health. Since college, I have been blessed to have two additional outstanding mentors- my doctoral mentor and my postdoctoral mentor. My mentors, having already navigated these systems, are aware of the challenges that I would face and have coached me on how to face them. They also affirm me and cheer me on, while helping me navigate tough moments- both personally and professionally- so that I could stay on track to achieve my goals. I still continue to thrive under their mentorship and would like to pay it forward to other aspiring women in STEM.