Soim Park
Portland
Summary
Mixed-methods researcher with expertise in global health, social epidemiology, and implementation research. Applies qualitative and quantitative approaches to develop, evaluate, and translate strategies aimed at improving health outcomes in resource-limited and underserved settings. Research focuses on maternal and child health, mental health, and infectious disease prevention in low- and middle-income countries, with particular interest in improving equitable access to healthcare and strengthening public health programs. Experienced in multi-country research, program evaluation, stakeholder-engaged research, and implementation research in fragile and underserved settings, including work with refugee and migrant populations.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Scientist
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD
07.2024 - Current
- Directed and supervised 8 research projects focused on HPV vaccination implementation in LMICs.
- Facilitated research initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal health outcomes and reducing child mortality and morbidity.
- Developed detailed reports and presentations to communicate research findings to researchers, policymakers, and international organizations.
- Guided 4 junior staff in developing data analysis and manuscript writing skills.
- Mentored 6 graduate students in effective data analysis and writing techniques.
Consultant
International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea
01.2022 - Current
- Collaborated in the development of detailed study protocols, implementation manuals, and data collection tools to streamline research processes.
- Oversaw data collection processes and monitored data quality standards.
- Conducted comprehensive analyses of HPV burden to inform public health strategies in South Asia.
- Supported research efforts in South Asian countries through strategic guidance and mentorship.
- Led and supported abstract and manuscript development focused on HPV infection and associated risk factors in South Asia.
Associate
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD
07.2021 - 06.2024
- Performed comprehensive quantitative analysis to derive insights from data gathered from pregnant women and their infants.
- Led manuscript development on maternal mental health and its effects on infant outcomes.
- Published 13 peer-reviewed manuscripts, demonstrating strong research, analytic, and scientific writing skills.
Independent Consultant
Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea
Yongin, South Korea
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided conceptual and technical support for quantitative data analysis examining gender differences in the association between food cost and obesity.
- Published a peer-reviewed manuscript based on the research findings.
Program Evaluator
Public Health Institute, Oakland, California
Oakland, California
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Conducted program evaluation of the California Contact Tracing Support Initiative (CCTSI), a COVID-19 contact tracing program.
- Conducted qualitative data collection and analysis.
- Led and contributed to the development of four manuscripts based on the study findings.
Independent Contractor
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Baltimore, MD
03.2021 - 06.2021
- Performed quantitative data analysis to characterize the nurse practitioner workforce in emergency departments across the US.
Research Assistant
Johns Hopkins University
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Assisted with five research projects related to maternal and child health, the health of North Korean children, socioeconomic barriers to diabetes care, and healthcare providers’ mental health during COVID-19 pandemic.
- Contributed to the study design and development.
- Supported the development and submission of IRB applications.
- Conducted quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
- Led and supported manuscript or report writing.
Research Assistant
Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Contributed to study design and development of survey questionnaires for a research project investigating risk perceptions related to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Resident Doctor
National Medical Center
Seoul, South Korea
03.2012 - 02.2015
- Diagnosed and treated diverse patient conditions in high-pressure environments.
- Managed patient care plans, ensuring adherence to established protocols and guidelines.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize treatment outcomes for patients.
- Conducted comprehensive health assessments, identifying potential complications early.
Education
PhD - International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH)
Baltimore, Maryland05-2021
Master of Arts - North Korean Studies
University of North Korean Studies
Seoul, South Korea02-2015
KMD - School of Korean Medicine
Daegu Haany University
Daegu, South Korea02-2011
Residency -
Department of Korean Medicine, National Medical Center
Seoul, South Korea01-2015
Internship - undefined
Department of Korean Medicine, National Medical Center
Seoul, South Korea01-2012
Licensure - Specialist of Internal Korean Medicine, No. 930
Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea
South Korea01-2015
Licensure - Korean Medicine Doctor (KMD), No. 21140
Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea
South Korea01-2011
Skills
- Research Area: Women’s health; Maternal and child health; Refugee and migrant health; Mental health; HPV vaccination and immunization programs; Social epidemiology; Implementation research; Global health research; Program evaluation
- Methodological Expertise: Mixed-methods approach; Advanced regression modeling; Survey data analysis; Causal mediation analysis; Structural equation modeling (SEM); Qualitative research; Grounded theory; Thematic analysis; Geospatial analysis
Accomplishments
- Published 34 peer-reviewed manuscripts and multiple technical reports in global health and public health research.
- Leads one consortium partner within a Gates-funded international HPV vaccine implementation initiative, managing a multidisciplinary research team of 14.
Affiliations
- Member, International Human Papillomavirus Society, 2025
- Member, American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 2025
Timeline
Assistant Scientist
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
07.2024 - Current
Consultant
International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
01.2022 - Current
Associate
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
07.2021 - 06.2024
Independent Contractor
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
03.2021 - 06.2021
Independent Consultant
Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea
01.2021 - 01.2022
Program Evaluator
Public Health Institute, Oakland, California
01.2021 - 01.2022
Research Assistant
Johns Hopkins University
01.2016 - 01.2021
Research Assistant
Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
01.2015 - 01.2016
Resident Doctor
National Medical Center
03.2012 - 02.2015
Internship - undefined
Department of Korean Medicine, National Medical Center
Licensure - Specialist of Internal Korean Medicine, No. 930
Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea
Licensure - Korean Medicine Doctor (KMD), No. 21140
Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea
PhD - International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH)
Master of Arts - North Korean Studies
University of North Korean Studies
KMD - School of Korean Medicine
Daegu Haany University
Residency -
Department of Korean Medicine, National Medical Center
Selected Publications
- Rosser, E. N., Wysong, M. D., Rosen, J. G., Limaye, R. J., and Park, S. (2025) “HPV vaccine delivery strategies to reach out-of-school girls in low- and middle-income countries: A narrative review.” Vaccines, 13(5), 433. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13050433
- Park, S., Malik, A., Zaidi, A., Atif, N., Rahman, A., and Surkan, P. J. (2025) “A psychosocial intervention for prenatal anxiety decreases functional disability among pregnant Pakistani women: A moderated mediation approach using a randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 190:112058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112058
- Naseem, H.†, Park, S.†, Rowther, A., Atif, N., Rahman, A., Zaidi, A., Malik, A., and Surkan, P. J. (2024) “Perinatal intimate partner violence and maternal-infant bonding in women with anxiety symptoms in Pakistan: The moderating roles of breastfeeding.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605241271364
- Park, S., Closser, S., Cooney, E. E., Atkins, K., Thrul, J., McDonald, K. M., Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., and Veenema, T. G. (2023) ““A slap in the face”: Institutional betrayal, burnout, and career choice regret among frontline healthcare workers serving COVID-19 patients.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, 36(5): 980-992. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22967
Top cited article in the Journal of Traumatic Stress in 2023-2024.
- Park, S., Surkan, P. J., Winch, P. J., Kim, J.-W., and Gittelsohn, J. (2022) ““I worked until my body was broken.”: A qualitative study among North Korean refugee women.” Ethnicity & Health, 27(5): 1188-1206. http://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2020.1841886
- Park, S., Greene, M. C., Melby, M. K., Fujiwara, T., and Surkan, P. J. (2021) “Postpartum depressive symptoms as a mediator between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and maternal-infant bonding in Japan.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(19-20): NP10545-NP10571. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519875561
- Park, S., Zachary, W. W., Gittelsohn, J., Quinn, C. C., and Surkan, P. J. (2020) “Neighborhood influences on physical activity among low-income African-American adults with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.” The Diabetes Educator, 46(2): 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721720906082
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/soim.park.1/bibliography/public/
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Center for Qualitative Studies in Health and Medicine Dissertation Enhancement Award, JHSPH, 2019
- The Korean Honor Scholarship, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA, 2018
- American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships, 2018-2019
- Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) Conference Scholarship, 2018
- First Prize in the Spirituality & Public Health Student Essay Contest, University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, 2017
- Fulbright Scholarship, Korean American Educational Commission / Institute of International Education, 2016-2018
- Teaching and research scholarship, Seoul National University, 2015
- Academic performance scholarship (top 10%), University of North Korean Studies, 2014
- Third Prize in the Unification Thesis Contest for graduate students, Ministry of Unification, 2013
- Academic performance scholarship in 10 semesters, Daegu Haany University, 2005 – 2011