Meet Junghoon Lee, a dedicated professional with a background in urban planning, now making strides in the field of Public Informatics through the Public Informatics at Rutgers University program at the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Junghoon’s journey into Public Informatics stemmed from his experience as a data analytics researcher and consultant in South Korea, where he realized the need for structured learning in applied data science within the context of urban planning and public policy. His transition to the MPI program at Rutgers was motivated by a desire to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application in addressing real-world challenges.

Reflecting on his MPI experience, Junghoon emphasizes the program’s flexibility, allowing him to tailor his curriculum to meet his specific interests and career goals. By blending advanced courses in data science with domain-specific knowledge in environmental planning, Junghoon found a unique pathway to expand his skill set and deepen his understanding of pressing issues like coastal resilience.

Junghoon’s involvement in an NSF-funded research project has been particularly impactful, where he’s working on the development of a web-based fiscal impact calculator to aid local decision-making in the face of coastal hazards. His interdisciplinary approach, wielding data engineering, visualization, and GIS, showcases the transformative potential of Public Informatics in addressing complex urban issues.

Looking ahead, Junghoon is committed to furthering his research endeavors as a researcher at the Rutgers Center for Urban Policy Research and pursuing doctoral studies. His ultimate goal is to contribute to academia or research institutes, leveraging urban and public informatics to address critical challenges in climate resilience and sustainable built environments. Junghoon’s journey exemplifies the power of Public Informatics in driving positive change at the intersection of data science, urban planning, and public policy.