Bio
Samir Soneji is demographer who develops and applies innovative quantitative methods to questions in tobacco control and cancer screening.
Two main questions motivate Soneji's research. First, what are the long-term impacts of novel tobacco product use (e.g., electronic cigarettes and hookah) on the future burden of tobacco-associated disease? Second, how will this future burden affect life expectancy and, consequently, the solvency of large entitlement programs (e.g., Social Security)? Although Soneji utilizes sophisticated methods to generate robust evidence around these questions, he strives to present his research findings in an approachable manner that is widely understood by the media and the public.
Soneji’s research was among the first to conclude that e-cigarette use increases the risk of cigarette smoking initiation. Using statistical and simulation modeling, he now quantifies the balance of harms and benefits associated with e-cigarette use and concludes that e-cigarette use currently represents a net harm for the population. Soneji’s work also identifies and quantifies public health opportunities to reduce the overall harm associated with e-cigarettes.
Soneji earned a BS in Mathematics from the University of Chicago, an MA in Statistics from Columbia University, and a PhD in Demography from Princeton University. He completed postdoctoral training in population health from the University of Pennsylvania.
Primary Contact:
Joel R. King
Published Research
Combustible and Electronic Tobacco and Marijuana Products in Hip-Hop Music Videos, 2013-2017.
Knutzen KE, Moran MB, Soneji S
JAMA Intern Med|2018 Dec 1
Choi K, Soneji S, Tan ASL
Nicotine Tob Res|2018 Aug 14
Choi K, Chen JC, Tan ASL, Soneji S, Moran MB
Tob Control|2018 Jun 19
Engagement with Online Tobacco Marketing Among Adolescents in the US: 2013-2014 to 2014-2015.
Soneji S, Yang J, Moran MB, Tan ASL, Sargent J, Knutzen KE, Choi K
Nicotine Tob Res|2018 May 5
Individual-Level and Ecological Studies.
Wills TA, Soneji SS
J Adolesc Health|2018 May
Courses Taught
PH 154:
Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
(4 Credits)
This course examines the social, economic, cultural, organizational, and institutional factors that impact public and population health. These factors include population characteristics (social class, age, gender, cultural background, race, ethnicity), individual beliefs and behaviors, and socio-political systems and practices that affect public health problems and policies.
Required for MPH
Prerequisites: None