Dr. Chung is an Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University.  She received a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science and Master's degree in Nursing Administration and Leadership from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. She obtained an MS in Health Informatics and PhD in Nursing from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Before joining Emory University, she served as an Associate Professor (with tenure) at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing. 

Dr. Chung leads a research program focused on developing and deploying community-embedded sensing and AI-driven analytic systems to identify and mitigate cognitive, social, and environmental vulnerabilities among older adults and care partners. Her work integrates passive behavioral and environmental data—including mobility (GPS), physical activity and sleep (accelerometry), WiFi-based sensing, smart speaker speech and activity patterns, and digital trace data—with advanced machine learning approaches to detect early risk signals in real-world settings. 

Dr. Chung's research is organized around three interconnected pillars: (1) Digital Behavioral Biomarkers of Cognitive and Social Risk - She serves as MPI on an NIH-funded R01 developing digital biomarkers of dementia risk using GPS-based mobility and accelerometer-derived activity and sleep patterns in community-dwelling older adults. Her team also develops AI algorithms to assess loneliness using speech and smart home–based activity data, moving risk detection beyond clinical settings into everyday environments. Her team recently received funding to examine heat exposure, mobility patterns, and social resources as mechanisms of vulnerability and adaptation among community-dwelling older adults. (2) Community-Embedded, Technology-Enabled Interventions - Building on detection science, Dr. Chung develops and evaluates smart speaker–based interventions that support self-management among older adults with chronic conditions and cognitive impairment. These programs promote digital skills, social connection, and ongoing check-ins for individuals living alone. Her work emphasizes scalability and usability in populations historically excluded from digital health innovation. (3) Technology Design and Implementation - Additionally, Dr. Chung continues to work on advancing the technology implementation science by exploring the acceptability of digital health technology among older adults and care partners in a sociocultural context. She utilizes design thinking to create user-centered technology solutions that meet user needs and preferences.

Dr. Chung has taught in pre-licensure, Master's, DNP, and PhD programs at various academic institutions before she joined Emory School of Nursing. She is passionate about providing mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students in both nursing and non-nursing fields and committed to nurturing the next generation of nurse leaders and scientists. 

Chung, J., Gendron, T., Winship, J., Wood, R., Mansion, N., Parsons, P., & Demiris, G. (2024). Smart Speaker and ICT Use in Relationship with Social Connectedness During the Pandemic: Loneliness and Social Isolation Found in Older Adults in Low-Income Housing. The Gerontologist, 64(5). PMID: 37880825

Davidsson, R., Baker, D., Chintakrindi, S., Lee, J., Kinser, P., Ozkaynak, M., & +Chung, J. (2024). Exploring the multidimensionality of home-based dementia caregiving and related challenges based on digital journaling and interviews. International Journal of Older People Nursing. 2024;19:e12600.

Chung, J., Brakey, H. R., Reeder, B., Myers, O. & Demiris, G. (2023). Community-dwelling older adults’ acceptance of smartwatches for health and location tracking. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 18(1), e12490. PMID: 35818900

Chung, J., Winship, J., Parsons, P., Falls, K., & Bleich, M. (2022). Stakeholder perspectives on the implementation of smart speakers for aging in place in low-income senior housing: A qualitative study. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(1), 33-39. PMID: 36169294

Chung, J., Boyle, J., & Wheeler, D. (2022). Relationship between life-space mobility and health characteristics in older adults using global positioning system watches. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 41(4), 1186-1195. PMID: 34719296. 

Chung, J., Bleich, M., Wheeler, D., Winship, J., McDowell, B., Baker, D., & Parsons, P. (2021). Attitudes and perceptions towards voice-operated smart speakers among low-income senior housing residents: Comparison of pre- and post-installation surveys. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. PMID: 35047655. 

Chung, J., Sargent, L., Brown, R., Gendron, T., & Wheeler, D. (2021). GPS tracking technologies to measure mobility-related behaviors in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 41(5), 547-557. PMID: 33356769

Chung, J., Lee, J., & Elswick, R. (2020). Life-space mobility in dementia patients and family caregivers: A dyadic approach. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 15(4), e12341. PMID: 32798303

Chung, J., Thompson, H., & Demiris, G. (2016). Ethical considerations regarding the use of smart home technologies for older adults: An integrative review. Annual Review of Nursing Research, 34. PMID: 26673381

‍

• Fellow, Gerontological Society of America
• Fellow, Betty Irene Moore Fellowship Program for Nurse Leaders and Innovators
• Mid-career Researcher Award, Southern Nursing Research Society
• Healthy Longevity Grand Challenge Catalyst Award, National Academy of Medicine
• Fellow of the Latino Aging Research Resource Center, the NIH Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR)
• WIN/Hartford Foundation Regional Geriatric Nursing Research Award for a New Researcher, Western Institute of Nursing