KDI School proudly welcomes Professor Sungkyu Shaun Park to our faculty in 2024. With a distinguished background in data analysis and mental health research, Professor Park enriches our community with his extensive expertise. In this interview, he shares insights into his academic journey, research interests, and aspirations at KDI School.

Can you tell us about your academic journey and what motivated you to pursue your field?

Hello everyone, and thank you for the warm welcome. I am thrilled to be joining KDI School! My journey into data analysis and machine learning began during my early career in customer feedback analysis. This sparked my interest in data analysis, leading me to pursue graduate studies at KAIST, specializing in data analysis and machine learning. During my master's program, I researched depression using social media metadata. Building on this, my Ph.D. and postdoctoral research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) focused on wearable device data to predict mental disorders and sleep patterns. Notably, I developed a mobile app offering personalized, non-invasive treatment methods.

After my postdoctoral experience, I joined Kangwon National University in Chuncheon. During my 2.5 years there, I taught undergraduates while continuing my research. Now, at KDI School, I aim to develop real-world systems that positively impact people’s lives. My goal is to advance our understanding and prediction of mental health and human behaviors.

What are your main research interests and any exciting current or upcoming projects?

My research primarily involves applying machine learning and AI, focusing on deep learning models. Specifically, I've worked on AI systems that use wearable device data to predict mental disorders like insomnia and depression. Currently, I am developing a lightweight language model to assist individuals with 12 types of mental disorders through an AI-powered chatbot system.

What motivated you to join KDI School, and how do you plan to contribute?

The exceptional faculty at KDI School was a significant draw. I have long admired their expertise and had the opportunity to engage with some faculty members before my arrival. As a researcher, I aspire to collaborate with colleagues at KDI School to address social issues using large-scale data analysis. My passion for solving real-world problems aligns perfectly with KDI School’s mission. Here, I plan to use my predictive models to evaluate public policy effectiveness and develop practical tools for medical and public health domains.

How do you plan to collaborate with faculty and involve students in your research?

I warmly welcome students interested in interdisciplinary research. A robust research mindset develops through rigorous training. Please feel free to visit my office or email me with your research inquiries. My expertise in computational methods with ML/DL is unique at KDI School, and I am eager to engage with anyone interested in these methods. While publishing papers together would be rewarding, my primary goal is to foster collaboration that extends beyond academia to create real-world applications. I aim to guide students in proactive thinking and effective communication.

What are your goals for your first year, and what hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?

In my first year at KDI School, I aim to establish strong relationships with faculty, students, and staff. I look forward to teaching in the Fall semester and participating in academic seminars and discussions. Additionally, I intend to delve into public policy methods and research processes to broaden my expertise. Lastly, I hope to conclude several longstanding research projects.

What advice would you give to students aspiring to follow a similar career path?

Don't follow others' paths or obsess over the distant future—I had no idea five years ago what I'd be doing now. Luck and timing are often beyond our control, so just do your best daily. Keep a regular routine and stay aware of your surroundings. In research, prioritize unique questions over fancy methods. Methodological skills are important, but attitude and openness are crucial to becoming a good researcher.

Professor Sungkyu’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration highlights his vision for KDI School. His insights provide valuable guidance to students and colleagues, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, and interdisciplinary collaboration in academia.