Eric Kim

Dr. Eric S. Kim investigates the different ways that people pursue the good life (e.g., through: purpose in life, personal growth, optimism, resilience, positive emotions) and how these pursuits influence various health behaviors and outcomes—with a focus on cardiovascular health. He also investigates how these pursuits have a reverberating ripple effect with the surrounding world to influence health; for example, through personal relationships (e.g., dyadic dynamics in couples), others (e.g., altruism/volunteering), and the larger community (e.g., levels of neighborhood social cohesion). He is particularly interested in how these pursuits influence older adults, a rapidly growing segment of our society.

Dr. Kim is interested in the following research topics: Resilience/Psychological Well-Being (e.g., purpose in life, personal growth, optimism, resilience); Aging/Gerontology; Cardiovascular health; Behavior change; Social epidemiology; Social inequality and health; Preventive medicine; Health behaviors; Health care utilization; Advanced statistical methods; Epidemiology; Race/Ethnicity; Predictive analytics

Dr. Kim has had the honor of working with incredible colleagues in a wide range of disciplines. They have published their work in a variety of outlets including: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Stroke, Circulation, Preventive Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine, Health Psychology, and Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Their studies has been featured in ABC News, USA Today, BBC News (Radio Interview), The Atlantic, WebMD, Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, New York Magazine, NPR (Radio Interview), and Time Magazine.

Dr. Kim was recognized as one of Forbe’s 30 Under 30 in Healthcare (Top 30 Innovators Under the Age of 30) and also one of the Top 3o Thinkers Under the Age of 30 by Pacific Standard. He is a recipient of the Horace H. Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship (fellowship for the top dissertation ideas at the University of Michigan – across all Departments) and the Telluride Association Fellowship (a 5-year University-wide room and board fellowship recognized by faculty and the school newspaper as the “genius house”). He is also the recipient of several organizational awards for both leadership and teamwork.

Dr. Kim volunteers by providing pro bono statistical consulting to non-profit organizations in his community – please contact him if you are interested.