Congratulates to Jinjoo Shim on her acceptance to Harvard University as a Postdoctoral Researcher!  We recently received an update from Jinjoo where she shared what she’s up to with Professor Onnela, what she misses about Zurich, and where her top spot for finding fresh produce in Boston is.  Read on for her update:

Greetings from Boston!

I recently began my journey as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health after completing my Ph.D. from ETH Zurich. In Zurich, I was part of the Core for AI & Digital Biomarker Research (ADAMMA) at CDHI, where we investigated digital biomarkers of systemic inflammation and biological aging.

At Harvard, I continue pursuing my passion for digital health and precision medicine through research on digital biomarker and digital phenotyping. I work closely with Prof. Onnela in the Department of Biostatistics and his research team and collaborators across various scientific and medical fields. My research focuses on leveraging multi-modal data from digital devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, with advanced statistical methods and machine learning models to assess, predict, and enhance health outcomes and support clinical decision making.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been connecting with incredibly talented, passionate, and inspiring individuals every day. Both the academic environment and Boston itself offer abundant opportunities for professional growths and networking. Just around the corner, you come across new innovations and novel discoveries, invigorating a passion for research, learning, and collaboration. I’ve also grown more fond of the city of Boston. On weekend mornings, I visit Haymarket (farmer’s market) to pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables. Still, I sometimes miss the beautiful view of the Glarus mountain from the top of WEV building.

I am grateful for Professor Elgar Fleisch, Dr. Filipe Barata, and the entire CDHI community and colleagues for their invaluable support throughout my Ph.D. journey. ETH Zurich has instilled in me core values as a researcher, shaping my path forward.