About
Sungwon Park, PhD, RN, is an Assistant Professor in the UCLA School of Nursing. Her research focuses on improving physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior among sedentary populations who are at risk of metabolic syndrome. Drawing on 7+ years of clinical experience as an occupational health nurse and community health nurse, Dr. Park's research has focused on metabolic syndrome management and prevention for working populations and community members.
Prior to joining UCLA, Dr. Park completed three years in a dual position as a postdoctoral fellow with the highly competitive Michigan Society of Fellows and non-tenure track assistant professor with the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Her primary research investigated the associations between sedentary behavior, physical activity, and metabolic syndrome risks among sedentary workers, such as IT workers. She found that different work settings (remote vs. onsite) and their associated policy and natural/built environment differences significantly impact sedentary workers' activity levels and increase their risk of metabolic syndrome based on accelerometry and biomarker outcomes. Additionally, she conducted analyses of large national-level datasets with multidisciplinary teams, including Canadian Health Measures Survey accelerometry data analysis examining health outcomes, and Study of Women Across the Nation data to investigate occupational impacts on health outcomes over time.
Dr. Park's work at UCLA continues this trajectory by exploring factors influencing sedentary behavior and physical activity at multiple levels for those who are at risk of or having metabolic syndrome. She aims to develop effective interventions tailored to different organizational and environmental contexts to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome, addressing a significant gap in the literature where few studies have systematically identified these multi-level factors across diverse settings.
Education and Degree(s)
2025 | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan, Michigan Society of Fellows, Ann Arbor, MI
2022 | PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Chicago, IL
2015 | MSN, Ewha Womans University, College of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea
2010 | BSN, Ewha Womans University, College of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea
Publications
Selected Publications
Park, S., Lee, S., Woo, S., Webster-Dekker, K., Chen, W., Veliz, P., & Larson, J-L. (2024). Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity of the Working Population Measured by Accelerometry: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 24, 2123. doi:10.1186/s12889-024-19449-y
Park, S., Quinn, L., Park, C. G., Collins, E., Hong, O., & Ferrans, C. (2024). Health Behavior Adherence in a Metropolitan-Based Metabolic Syndrome Management Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 33(2), 166-176. doi:10.7570/jomes23039
Kyung, M., Park, S., Park, C. G., & Hong, O. (2024). Association Between Sleep Duration, Social Jetlag, and the Metabolic Syndrome by Shift Works. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), 668. doi:10.3390/ijerph21060668
Park, S., Park, C. G., & Hong, O. (2024). Exploring the characteristics and health outcomes of working from home: Analysis of 2021 California Health Interview Survey Data. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 67, 119-28. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23556
Park, S., Lee, J., Seok, J., Park, C. G., & Jun, J. (2024). Comprehensive lifestyle modification interventions for metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 56, 249–259. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12946
Park, S., Ferrans, C., & Larson, J. (2023). Mitigating the health risks of sedentary work. Workplace Health & Safety,71(10), 499. doi: 10.1177/21650799231188365
Jun, J., Park, S., & Rosemberg, M-A. (2022). Cross-cultural differences and similarities in nurses’ experiences during the early stages of COVID-19 in Korea and the United States: A qualitative descriptive study. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advance, 4, 100107. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2022.100107
Park, S., Jang, M. K., Park, C. G., & Hong, O. (2022). Predictors of Health Promotion Behaviors among working adults at high risk of Metabolic Syndrome: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Nursing Research, 71(4), 275–284. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000587
Park, S., Jang, M. K., Seo, Y., & Doorenbos, A. Z. (2022). The funeral experience in South Korea: A phenomenological study. OMEGA—Journal of Death and Dying, 84(4), 1025–1044. doi: 10.1177/0030222820921586
Park, S., Park, C., & Hong, O. S. (2022). Time-trends of U.S. Occupational Noise Standard violations by OSHA region and industry type: 1972-2019. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 64(4), 305–313. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002422
Park, S., & Shin, H. (2021). An analysis and evaluation of the Theory of Planned Behavior using Fawcett and DeSanto-Madeya’s framework. Advances in Nursing Science, 44(4), E141-E154. doi: 10.1097/ANS.0000000000000365
Park, S., Johnson, M., & Hong, O. (2020). Analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration noise standard violations over 50 years: 1972 to 2019. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 63(7), 616-623. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23116
Park, S., & Jang, M. K. (2019). Associations between workplace exercise interventions and job stress reduction: A systematic review. Workplace Health & Safety, 67(12), 592-601. doi: 10.1177/2165079919864979
Honors and Awards
2024-2026 | Ewha Global Fellow, Ewha Womans University, Seoul
2023 | Sigma Theta Tau International/ American Board for Occupational Health Nurses Grant, Principal Investigator (PI)
2023 | T42OH008455-CDC-COHSE-PPRT, NIOSH Pilot Project Research Training Grant, PI
2022 | Rising Stars of Research and Scholarship at the Sigma Theta Tau International, Creating Healthy Work Environments event
2021 | American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Foundation Medique New Researcher Grant, PI
2021 | Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter Award, The Alpha Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, PI
2020 | Global Korean Nursing Foundation USA scholarship award, PI
2020 | American Public Health Association Occupational Health & Safety Section's James Keogh Scholarship