Seong H. Cho, MD
Dr. Seong Cho, MD, FAAAAI, FCAAI
Board-Certified Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Specialist
Professor of Medicine & Pediatrics, Division of Allergy & Immunology
University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine
Professional Biography
When I reflect on my journey as a physician, I feel deeply privileged and blessed. Medicine is more than a profession—it is a calling rooted in compassion, care, and dedication. It also represents a profound exploration of human science, a field that has long fascinated me, particularly in understanding the human body and the diseases that afflict it.
As both a physician and a scientist, my career has been driven by one central question: Why do some people develop allergic diseases—and how can we best treat them? This has led me to pursue innovation and precision through the evolving field of Personalized Medicine.
My clinical path began with training in ENT surgery (otolaryngology) in South Korea, where I became captivated by allergic disorders that seemed to trigger responses to otherwise harmless elements like pollens, pets, and dust. After becoming board-certified in ENT, I pursued research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), investigating allergic disease mechanisms through patient lung samples, animal models, and cellular studies.
To bridge my research with clinical excellence, I undertook internal medicine residency training at the University of Tennessee, followed by advanced subspecialty training in Allergy and Immunology at Northwestern University in Chicago. This integrated training in ENT, internal medicine, allergy, immunology, and bench research has uniquely positioned me to provide comprehensive and precise care to my patients.
Over the years, I’ve also embraced the role of educator. From mentoring medical students and residents at Northwestern to my current faculty role at the University of South Florida, I am committed to shaping the next generation of physicians—instilling in them not only scientific knowledge but also the humanistic principles essential to medicine.
Academic and Clinical Appointments
- Professor, Medicine & Pediatrics, Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of South Florida
- Attending Physician, Tampa General Hospital, James A. Haley VA Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center
Certifications & Training
- Board Certified: Allergy & Immunology, Internal Medicine
- Fellowship: Allergy & Immunology, Northwestern University
- Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee
- MD / Premed: KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea
Professional Memberships
- Fellow, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
- Fellow, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)
- Member, American Rhinologic Society
- Member, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)
Research & Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Cho is a committed physician-scientist currently serving as Principal Investigator in five active clinical trials. He holds a NIH U01 grant as the mechanistic PI and has authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications, including in The Lancet and Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
His work has led to two U.S. patent applications on soy isoflavones in asthma treatment and prevention. He has served on NIH study sections as an Ad Hoc reviewer since 2018, and he has chaired the AAAAI/ACAAI Rhinitis, Rhinosinusitis, and Ocular Allergy Committee. At USF, he is an active member of the Faculty Senate.
Personal Note
Born in Daejeon, South Korea, I am grateful for the support of my wife and proud of our two sons—both of whom have followed their calling into medicine. I find joy in music, sports, and mentoring youth through church-based community service.
