PhD Student Sookja Kang Named an Inaugural Scholars Lab Fellow

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Published:
November 21, 2024
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The University of Texas Libraries has announced the inaugural Scholars Lab Fellows, a distinguished group of graduate students and researchers selected through a competitive fellowship program. Among the recipients is Sookja Kang, MSN, RN, a PhD student at the UT Austin School of Nursing. 

These fellows are pioneering innovative digital tools and methodologies to address complex academic challenges. They receive funding, training and access to state-of-the-art resources at the Scholars Lab to advance their groundbreaking projects. This paid, two-semester-long program is aimed at UT graduate students. 

UT Libraries selects up to five Fellows to complete a project involving data, digital collections, digital media or digital methods/platforms. Kang’s research exemplifies the program’s mission to push academic boundaries. Her project, titled “What to Expect,” examines the experiences of plus-size pregnant individuals by analyzing over 4,200 posts from a digital health community. 

This study leverages natural language processing techniques such as topic modeling and sentiment analysis to uncover critical insights from online forums. These forums, visited by self-identified plus-size pregnant individuals, provide a variety of peer-driven perspectives on health care experiences. Kang’s research reveals recurring themes such as stigma, provider support challenges and gaps in health care resources for this population. 

Kang’s academic journey reflects her dedication to improving health outcomes through digital innovation. With expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, she investigates how digital platforms can enhance health resource utilization and promote health equity among childbearing individuals. 

Her broader research focuses on leveraging technology to close gaps in maternal health care, ensuring diverse communities receive equitable support. By presenting her findings through visual data presentations and peer-reviewed publications, Kang aims to influence health care providers and digital health platforms alike. 

As a Scholars Lab Fellow, Sookja Kang exemplifies the power of combining advanced digital methodologies with a passion for health care fairness. Her "What to Expect" study not only sheds light on the unique challenges faced by plus-size pregnant individuals but also paves the way for more comprehensive practices in maternal health care.