PhD, Therapeutic Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2015
MS, Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2011
BS, Occupational Therapy, Yonsei University, 2009
Research Interests
Primary research areas include developing, (culturally) adapting, implementing, and evaluating psychological and behavioral programs to promote mental health and living aligned with personal values among older adults and their care partners (e.g., caregivers of individuals with dementia), individuals with spinal cord injuries, and Korean Americans/immigrants. Examples of externally funded grants include:
Source: RRF Foundation for Aging / Title: Cultural adaptation of acceptance and commitment therapy to mitigate loneliness in older Korean immigrants: Evaluation of its feasibility and initial efficacy / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $149,872/ Period: 06/2025 – 05/2027
Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Institute on Aging (NIA), R21/ Title: Adaptation and feasibility testing of an AI-enabled web app based on acceptance and commitment therapy for family caregivers of people with dementia/ Role: Principal Investigator/ Amount: $418,327/ Period: 09/2024–08/2026
Source: American Occupational Therapy Foundation – Implementation Research Grant / Title: Implementing an occupational therapist-led acceptance and commitment training group for parents in pediatric outpatient clinics / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $99,995 /Period: 07/2024–06/2026
Source: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation - Psychosocial Research (PSR) Studies and Demonstration Projects / Title: Acceptance and commitment therapy for depressed people with spinal cord injuries: Testing efficacy and mechanisms of change / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $448,000 / Period: 05/2024–04/2027
Source: Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation / Title: Acceptance and commitment therapy supplemented with psychoeducation for improving mental health of depressed individuals living with spinal cord injury sustained within 5 years / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $150,000 / Period: 03/2023–08/2025
Source: Alzheimer's Association Research Grant / Title: Guided online acceptance and commitment therapy for dementia caregivers / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $149,995 / Period: 02/2022–07/2025
Source: American Occupational Therapy Foundation – Intervention Research Grant / Title: A guided eight-week online acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention for distressed family caregivers of people with dementia: A mixed-methods pilot study / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $50,000 / Period: 07/2021–06/2022
Source: Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Health & Welfare, South Korea [Korean government grant] / Title: Developing a model of the autobiographical memory (AM)-based community for emotional support and empowerment of elderly living alone / Role: Co-investigator / Amount: $984,340 / Period: 04/2018–06/2021
Source: National Research Foundation of Korea, South Korea [Korean government grant] / Title: Development of a needs assessment tool for people with dementia and their family caregivers and effectiveness of the Korean dementia simulation program / Role: Principal Investigator / Amount: $80,899 / Period: 09/2018–08/2021
