Christopher Sistrunk, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the division of Health Equities and the division of Biomarkers of Early Detection and Prevention within the department of Population Sciences at the City of Hope. Dr. Sistrunk focuses on developing research programs that serve underrepresented minority communities. Dr. Sistrunk's research focuses on studying the environment's increasing role in genetic imprinting. Specifically, the environmental impacts on drinking water and how underrepresented communities are genetically affected by chronic exposures to toxins in drinking water. Dr. Sistrunk is also the founding director of City of Hope’s STEM Training and Education Program (S.T.E.P.), which is a program that offers continuous STEM educational programming for students that range from the 3rd grade to the postdoctoral or medical residency fellowship level. Dr. Sistrunk has been formally trained as a molecular and cellular toxicologist, and he uses this training to study chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, cancers, and diabetes, which disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Additionally, Dr. Sistrunk spearheads national education and academic development efforts and has served as a lifelong educator, trainer, and mentor to the next generation of research scientists, primarily focusing on developing research programs that serve historically under-resourced communities.