Biography
Dr. Jung-Ah Lee is a nurse scientist and faculty with expertise in gerontology and healthcare system. Her research focuses primarily on translational approach to improve care delivery and quality of life for patients and caregivers. Within this focus, a recurring theme of her work is to explore racial and ethnic disparities in quality of care. Culturally sensitive approaches to care delivery in chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias are a primary consideration of her research. As the principal investigator, Dr. Lee has conducted community-based participatory research starting with a needs assessment of ethnic minority older adults and dementia family caregivers. She designed and has conducted the culturally and language specific dementia care program for diverse older adults and their caregivers in strong partnership with community organizations supported by several funding mechanisms including National Institute of Health/National Institute on Aging.
Dr. Lee is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, American Academy of Nursing, and Western Academy of Nurses. Dr. Lee serves as President of Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) and Board of Directors of National Coalition of Ethnic Minority of Nurses Associations (NCEMNA).
Research Interests
Adults/Older Adults and Caregivers, Health Equity/Disparity, Health Technology, Self-Management, Integrative Health, Transition Care, Venous thromboembolism, Patient Safety, Clinical and Systems Outcomes, Cost-Effectiveness in Healthcare, Mixed Methods.
Education
PhD, University of Washington, School of Nursing, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, Seattle, WA
MN, University of Washington, School of Nursing, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems (Focal Area: Advanced Care Systems Management), Seattle, WA
BSN, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea
Honors and Awards
- 2024: Senior Researcher Award on Geriatric Nursing Research by Western Institute of Nursing
- 2024: Newkirk Faculty Fellow, University of California, Irvine, Newkirk Center for Science & Society
- 2023: Duck Hee Kang Distinguished Mentor Award by Global Korean Nursing Foundation 2022: Western Academy of Nurses Induction by Western Institute of Nursing 2021: Fellow of American Academy of Nursing Award (FAAN)
- 2021: Fellow of Gerontological Society of America Award (FGSA)
- 2021: Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, UCI
- 2021: Nursing Excellence Award by UCI Health
- 2020: R01 Award by National Institute of Health/National Institute on Aging:
- 2020: Althalie Clarke Achievement Award on Nursing Science, University of California, Irvine
- 2020: Best Paper Award on Improving Communication in Diverse Older Adults by American Geriatric Society.
- 2019: Best Research Poster Award by Western Institute of Nursing.
- 2018: Gerontology Education/Policy Award by Western Institute of Nursing, Gerontology Special Interest Group
- 2017: Dementia Caregiver Grant Award from the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation
- 2017: Community Research Pilot Study Award by UCI ICTS (funded by NIH)
- 2015: Patient Safety Grant Award from the Cardinal Health Foundation
- 2013: Minority Aging Research Scientist Award by UCLA/CDU-RCMAR/CHIME (funded by NIH/NIA)
- 2013: Pilot Study Award by UCLA CTSI (funded by NIH)
- 2012: Pilot Study Award by UCI ICTS (funded by NIH)
- 2010: Campus and Community Research Incubator Program Award by UCI/ICTS (funded by NIH).
- 2010: Special Research Grant Award by the UCI Academic Senate Council on Research.
Publications
Dementia Caregiver Study funded by NIH/NIA
My Happy Blood Study
UCI Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) funded by DHHS/HRSA
