Postdoctoral Research Associate - Environmental Health/Global Health
Duke University - 2008
Dohyeong Kim
Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Education
Robert E. Holmes Jr. Professor of Public Policy, GIS & Social Data Analytics
Team Lead, Spatial Health AI Research Partnership
Professional Preparation
Ph.D - City and Regional Planning (Health Planning)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - 2007
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - 2007
M.A - Public Administration
Yonsei University, Seoul - 1999
Yonsei University, Seoul - 1999
B.A - Public Administration
Yonsei University, Seoul - 1996
Yonsei University, Seoul - 1996
Research Areas
Global Health and Safety
Geospatial Health and Public Policy
Environmental Health and Disaster Planning
Spatiotemporal Big Data Analysis and Machine Learning
Publications
Bayesian spatio-temporal modeling for policy evaluation: Sensitivity of policy effect estimates in the context of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders 2026 - Journal Article
Geospatial analysis of community-level social and environmental barriers for adult burn injury survivors in North Texas 2025 - Journal Article
Geospatial Analysis of Community-Level Social and Environmental Barriers for Adult Burn Injury Survivors in North Texas 2025 - Journal Article
Revisiting the joint effect of temperature and relative humidity on airborne mold and bacteria concentration in indoor environment: A machine learning approach 2025 - Journal Article
Area‐Specific Assessment of Stratum Corneum Hydration and Transepidermal Water Loss in Pediatric Patients With Atopic Dermatitis 2025 - Journal Article
Artificial Intelligence during a Public Health Crisis: A Trend Analysis of COVID-19 Research 2025 - Journal Article
mHealth Intervention Integrating Personal PM2.5 Monitoring and Deep Learning to Reduce Pediatric Asthma Exacerbations: Pilot Study (Preprint) 2025 - Other
Awards
Award of Appreciation - Asia Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) [2024]
President's Teaching Excellence Award - UT Dallas [2023]
Best Article Award - Asian Association of Crisisonomy [2022]
Teaching Award for Distinguished Graduate Teaching - UT Dallas School of EPPS [2020]
Award of Appreciation - UTD Korean Student Association [2018]
Outstanding Teaching Comet Award - University of Texas at Dallas [2014]
Award of Appreciation - NCCU MPA Class of 2013 [2013]
Research Fellow - Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development [2011]
New Investigators in Global Health (NIGH) Award - Global Health Council [2008]
Superior Graduate Student Award - SBS Seo-Am Academic Foundation [1998]
Appointments
Assistant to Associate Professor
North Carolina Central University [2008–2013]
North Carolina Central University [2008–2013]
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Duke University [2005–2008]
Duke University [2005–2008]
Research and Teaching Assistant
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [2000–2005]
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [2000–2005]
Projects
Geospatial Community Mapping to Assess Social and Environmental Barriers and Facilitators for Burn Survivors (funded by National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research)
This project combines GIS-based spatial mapping of burn survivors’ community integration outcomes with qualitative approaches such as focus groups and interviews to identify and understand social and environmental barriers and facilitators, thereby guiding targeted interventions, resource allocation, and policy for improved long-term recovery and participation.Wearable Energy-Efficient Device Development for Real-Time Evaluation, Analysis and Monitoring Platform (WEDREAM II Study)
The WEDREAM II Study focuses on the critical engineering and clinical bottleneck facing modern mobile health (mHealth): the high energy demands of continuous, real-time physiological monitoring on resource-constrained wearable hardware. Building on its predecessor, this iteration of the study aims to design, optimize, and validate a highly integrated hardware-and-software architecture that maximizes battery life while executing complex data processing entirely "at the edge" (locally on the device) rather than relying on power-hungry, continuous cloud transmission. The core objective is to create a clinical-grade, low-power monitoring platform capable of immediate signal analysis to provide actionable wellness or diagnostic feedback.Interventional Study to Prevent Exacerbation of Atopic Dermatitis by Exposure to Particulate Matter
The core objective of this study is to clinically evaluate the efficacy of specific preventative interventions in shielding patients from PM-induced skin flares. It focuses on correlating real-time personal or localized PM exposure levels with changes in clinical eczema severity indexes, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and systemic or cutaneous inflammatory biomarkers, which should build a foundation for developing an evidence-based clinical protocol that patients can deploy during high-pollution forecasts to prevent the onset of severe inflammatory cycles before they start.Social Catastrophes and National Disaster and Emergency Management System Innovation: A New Paradigm for Disaster Resilience
This project addresses the critical intersection between modern "social catastrophes"—complex, compounded crises where natural hazards intersect with deep-seated socioeconomic vulnerabilities, systemic failures, and public health or technological shocks—and the urgent need to innovate existing national emergency frameworks. Recognizing that traditional, top-down reactive models are insufficient for managing multi-layered modern disasters, this research investigates systemic innovations across national emergency management pipelines.Geospatial Analysis on the Impact on nurse and midwife training in maternal and child oral health in Kilifi County (funded by KOICA)
This project conducts a GIS-based analysis in Kilifi County, Kenya to evaluate how training nurses, midwives, and other primary healthcare providers in maternal and child oral health could improve service accessibility and reduce disparities. By mapping health facilities, population distribution, and travel networks, and comparing service areas before and after workforce capacity building, the study aims to generate evidence for strengthening oral health integration into Kenya’s primary healthcare system.News Articles
Dr. Dohyeong Kim Endowed as Robert E. Holmes Jr. Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas recognized a new class of endowed chairs and professors during its April 16 investiture ceremony. This honor is considered the highest academic distinction the university can bestow on faculty. Endowed professorships are supported through philanthropic gifts and awarded to scholars who demonstrate excellence in research, teaching and service, while also advancing the university’s academic programs. Among this year’s honorees is EPPS’s very own, Dr. Dohyeong Kim, professor and senior associate dean of graduate education, who was named the Robert E. Holmes Jr. Professor. Since joining UT Dallas in 2013, Kim has become a key leader in graduate education and interdisciplinary research. As director of the Social Data Analytics and Research program, he has helped connect public policy, geospatial science and data analytics to address complex societal challenges. Dr. Kim’s research includes more than 100 peer-reviewed publications across health policy, environmental health and spatial data science. His work has informed real-world solutions, from improving disaster response systems to advancing data-driven health interventions. He is also known for his dedication to teaching and mentorship. A recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the university’s Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award, Kim has mentored dozens of undergraduate and doctoral students, guiding them toward academic and professional success.“This professorship provides a vital platform to push the boundaries of public policy in the face of unprecedented global shifts. To meet these challenges, I am dedicated to cultivating an environment that champions innovative problem-solving. I am especially grateful to my former and current students, whose curiosity and dedication constantly push me to think deeper. My public policy research is rooted in synthesizing emerging sciences, transformative technologies, and data-driven insights. At UT Dallas, we are not here to observe the future, but to architect a more resilient one” Dr. Kim said. Read more here.
International Collaboration with MOUs and Research Engagements in India
From April 5 to 10, EPPS Dean Jennifer Holmes, Senior Associate Dean Dohyeong Kim, and GIS Associate Professor Muhammad Rahman visited three premier Indian institutions: Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) at the University of Delhi, UPES in Dehradun, and Amity University in Haryana. The visit focused on establishing strategic partnerships with key administrators and faculty in those universities.A highlight of the trip was Dean Holmes signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SRCC, India’s most prestigious social science college, as it celebrates its centennial anniversary. Additionally, an MOU is already in place with Amity University, with an agreement with UPES expected soon.
Beyond formal agreements, the visit fostered academic synergy. Dr. Kim presented his research, “Roles of AI and Geospatial Modeling in Social Sciences,” sparking significant interest in collaborative research. All three partners expressed a strong desire to engage with EPPS faculty on emerging technologies, student exchanges, summer programs, and dual-degree partnerships.
How Communities Shape Burn Survivors’ Return to Society
Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas have found that burn survivors experience different levels of success in reintegrating into their North Texas communities based on their geographic locations. In a study published in the journal Burns, researchers in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences combined geospatial mapping data with patient information from the Burn Model System (BMS) National Database.“When people experience severe burn injuries and reenter the community, they experience hardships. It can be difficult to communicate with friends, go shopping or go to school because of social stigma and changes to the body,” said Pyung Kim MS’25, PhD’25, the corresponding author of the study who recently earned his doctorate in public policy and political economy.
Dr. Dohyeong Kim, professor of public policy, geospatial information sciences and social data analytics and research at UT Dallas, is a co-author of the study. He leads the Spatial Health AI Research Partnership, a global interdisciplinary collaboration dedicated to research and education that addresses challenges in public health and other areas through the integration of geospatial science, artificial intelligence and data-driven policy analysis.
“Geospatial mapping transforms abstract data into a visual road map, allowing us to pinpoint health disparities and deploy resources exactly where they are needed most,” he said. “It’s no longer just about tracking diseases; it’s about visualizing the heartbeat of a community to ensure no neighborhood is left behind.”
Other UT Dallas authors of the study are Dr. Richard Scotch, professor emeritus of sociology and of public policy and political economy, and Dohyo Jeong MS’25, PhD’25, now a postdoctoral scholar in public health at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Karen J. Kowalske, the Charles and Peggy Galvin Professor in Physical Medicine at UT Southwestern, also is a study author. The research was funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (grant number 90DPBU0006), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Cash Saver closes in West Dallas, challenging ‘food desert’ area
Dr. Dohyeong Kim, Professor of Public Policy, GIS and Social Data Analytics and Research, shared his insights in The Dallas Morning News on the recent closure of a Cash Saver grocery store in West Dallas. He explained that grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods do more than provide food. They anchor local economies, create stable jobs, and ensure residents have consistent access to nutritious options. According to Dr. Kim, the loss of a full-service grocery store increases the burden on residents, especially those facing transportation challenges, and can have direct effects on rates of chronic illnesses.
Geospatial Insights into Maternal and Child Oral Health Training in Kenya
Dr. Dohyeong Kim and PPPE doctoral candidate Pyung Kim traveled to Kilifi County, Kenya, from October 12–20 to conduct a KOICA-funded research project analyzing the potential impact of capacity building among the primary health workforce in improving maternal and child health through strengthened oral care service delivery in the county.
Affiliations
Advisory Board Member
2023/04DK Foundation
Vice President
2023/01Korean Association of Disastronomy
Chairperson, International Affairs Committee
2023/01The Korean Association for Policy Studies
Member of National Election Commission Overseas Voting
2022/01–2025/06Republic of Korea
Chair
2020/06–2022/05ASPA Section on Korean Public Administration, American Society for Public Administration