Biography

Ji Won Kang, PhD, M.Sc., is an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Temple University, Barnett College of Public Health. Her research lies at the intersection of medical, social, and public health sciences, with a particular focus on aging, social determinants of health, cognition, and mental health. Skilled in mixed methods, quantitative, and qualitative methodologies, Dr. Kang’s current work explores the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and memory in aging populations. This research has been featured in media outlets including Newsweek, CNBC, the Canadian Press, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging News, and UWaterloo News.

With over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, including roles in government policy and program evaluation, mental health facilities, long-term care homes, and rehabilitation centers, Dr. Kang is passionate about community-engaged research. She has led a variety of knowledge translation activities, such as developing executive summaries and informatics reports, hosting podcasts and workshops, and presenting findings to various school boards, student leaders, and health system administrators. In professional service, Dr. Kang is a member of the ‘Aging & Public Health’ and ‘Mental Health’ sections of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Her teaching aims to deepen students' understanding of epidemiologic concepts and equip them with the critical thinking skills needed to analyze real-world data, ultimately driving solutions that enhance health system performance and improve patient outcomes.