Steve Cho, MD
Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Maryland

Dr. Cho achieved his BA from Johns Hopkins University and then attended New York University School of Medicine where he received his MD. He is currently an assistant professor in the division of nuclear medicine/PET (positron emission tomography, a nuclear medicine imaging technique) at the department of radiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Originally trained as a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Cho became interested in the newly developing field of molecular imaging while working on developmental therapeutics during a fellowship at the NIH. “I was intrigued by the possibilities of PET and SPECT imaging to non-invasively improve the detection of tumors and monitor tumor pathobiology,” says Dr. Cho. “I now work as a nuclear medicine physician focused on oncology PET translational research.”

Dr. Cho’s says his interest in prostate cancer research has been circuitous, however it does hold a particular interest for him. “Current imaging modalities are limited and there is a great need for developing better prostate cancer imaging methods for application in patient care as well as facilitating the development of novel prostate cancer therapeutics,” he explains.

In addition to his PCF Young Investigator Award, Dr. Cho has received many other accolades. He was the recipient of the American Cancer Society Fellowship for Medical Students, the Gessner Memorial Award for Excellence in Immunology Research, the ASCO Foundation Merit Award, the Alavi-Mandell Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine, and a Research Scholar Award from the RSNA. Dr. Cho’s work can be found in several articles, and three book chapters.

When he is not researching or teaching, Dr. Cho enjoys swimming, tennis, music, reading, good conversation, and spending time with his family. He is also active in the charity organization Habitat for Humanity and enjoys pitching in to build houses for people in need.

Although he has many hobbies outside the lab, he continues to focus on his work in oncology PET translational research, and his passion for finding treatments for prostate cancer. “I am excited about the promising and important role emerging PET imaging methods will take in the diagnostic imaging armamentarium for fighting prostate cancer,” says Dr. Cho.