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Young H. Ju, PhD

Associate Professor
  • Focus area(s): Effects of functional food and supplements on chronic disease; effects of integrative health on health
A Virginia Tech HNFE faculty member stands against a HokieStone wall for a headshot.
325 Wallace
yhju@vt.edu
540-231-6168
  • Graduate Program Track(s): Behavioral & Community Science

Education

Ph.D., Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1997

M.S., Horticulture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992

B.S., Horticulture, Korea University, 1987

Experience

2011 – present: Associate Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

2015 – present: Extension Specialist, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg  

May 2019 – present: Chen Style HunYuan Taijiquan Instructor Qualification Certificate

Selected Major Awards

  • 2020 – Program Excellence Award Southwest District Winner, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Program Focus

As an extension specialist, I offer a training program called the ‘Get the Facts Webinar Series’ for extension agents. Eight to nine webinars per year have been presented covering effects on functional foods on a specific health condition. For training purposes, I also provide ‘Chronic Disease Competency Tests’ for extension agents who want to build their capacity to adapt and implement information about chronic disease in practices.

I also teach qigong/taichi classes in local communities.

Program Focus

I'm currently interested in how qigong/taichi affects health. I'm working on a small project entitled "Effects of Qigong on Stress in Elderly Populations."  

Selected Extension-Related Publications

  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) News Flash:  Aspartame Has Just Been Classified into the Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans Group.  What Does That Mean to Me? National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 08/15/2023.
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) Understanding Skin Cancer. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 07/15/2023. https://nwto.us/blog/understanding-skin-cancer
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) Energy drinks. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 06/15/2023. https://nwto.us/blog/are-energy-drinks-right-for-tennis-players
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) Expiration Date. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 05/15/2023. https://nwto.us/blog/the-healthy-tennis-player-and-fresh-food
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) Avocados. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 03/15/2023. https://nwto.us/blog/advocating-for-avocados
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) Why the Healthy Tennis Player Should Love Oats to Lower Cholesterol. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 02/15/2023. https://nwto.us/blog/why-the-healthy-tennis-player-should-love-oats-to-lower-cholesterol
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) The Healthy Tennis Player Asks About High Cholesterol. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 01/15/2023. https://nwto.us/blog/healthy-tennis-player-asks-about-high-cholesterol
  • Ju, Y.H. (2023) Respiratory Syncytial Virus. National Women's Tennis Organization Newsletter 12/15/2022. https://nwto.us/blog/the-rapid-rise-of-rsv
  • Rafie, C., Ju, Y., & Pourkhalili, A. (2021) Understanding Cancer: What we know about lung cancer. Virginia Corporate Extension Publication (HNFE-338NP).
  • Rafie, C., Ju, Y., & Pourkhalili, A. (2021) Understanding Cancer: What we know about breast cancer. Virginia Corporate Extension Publication (HNFE-411NP).