Minju Kim

From Personal Experience to Research

My research journey began at home. Living with my grandmother who has dementia, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of age-related cognitive and physical decline on daily independence. This personal experience, combined with my work as a community exercise instructor for older adults, opened my eyes to the critical role of exercise intervention in both preventing and managing age-related conditions. What started as a personal concern evolved into an academic pursuit to understand the mechanisms underlying aging and to develop evidence-based interventions that can preserve functional independence.

Current Research

My master's thesis examines the motor-cognitive mechanisms underlying gait and fall risk in older adults, combining fNIRS neuroimaging with IMU-based sensor analysis to investigate how prefrontal cortical activation and muscle strength interact during dual-task walking. I am committed to translating these laboratory findings into real-world rehabilitation contexts, an orientation grounded in my hands-on experience delivering exercise programs for community-dwelling older adults.

Looking Forward

I am seeking doctoral opportunities and visiting researcher positions to advance my research on functional movement, brain-motor interactions, and exercise interventions in aging populations. My goal is to bridge neuroscience and applied rehabilitation, developing accessible, technology-driven solutions that support healthy aging and preserve the independence that matters most to older adults and their families.

Relationships among Prefrontal Cortical Hemodynamics, Gait Performance, and Muscle Strength during Dual-Task Walking in Older Women (fNIRS Study)

Gyeongkuk National University Oct 2024 – Present

• Cross-sectional study of 56 community-dwelling older women investigating the neural and biomechanical determinants of fall risk during dual-task gait

• Designed full study protocol and led all research phases independently: IRB approval, participant recruitment, data collection, preprocessing, and analysis

• Utilized fNIRS neuroimaging to assess prefrontal cortical hemodynamics; IMU-based sensor analysis of spatiotemporal gait parameters is currently in progress

I have contributed to exercise intervention research for older adults, working across clinical and community settings as a research assistant. My role has involved literature synthesis, protocol development, IRB management, and field-based data collection, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical implementation in aging and cognitive health research.

Development of Exercise Program Models for Older Adults with MCI | Apr – Jun 2024, Ministry of Health and Welfare × Ajou University School of Medicine, Dept. of Neuroscience

• Reviewed and synthesized literature on exercise program models for older adults with mild cognitive impairment
• Assisted in developing standardized protocols for exercise-based cognitive intervention research

Barefoot Walking Exercise Effect Analysis | Aug – Dec 2024, Andong Public Health Center × Gyeongkuk National University

• Designed and implemented a field-based intervention protocol for community-dwelling older adults
• Managed full IRB submission and ethical review procedures
• Conducted physical performance assessments and outcome data

• Kim, M., Bae, J., & Song, H. (2026, July). Determinants of Prefrontal Cortical Activation during Dual-Task Gait in Older Adults: The Role of Physical Reserve. ECSS(European College of Sport Science), Lausanne, Switzerland. [Poster] Accepted
• Kim, M., Song, H. (2026, April). Muscle Strength as Neural Reserve in Older Women with Low Educational Attainment during Dual-Task Gait. KSEP(Korean Society of Exercise Physiology) Annual Meeting, South Korea. [Poster]: Awarded Best Poster Presentation

I have been playing football since I was 8 years old, both recreationally and as part of organized teams. Football has been a constant throughout my academic journey and international experiences.

• Yonsei University W-KICKS, Mar 2018– Feb 2024 | Seoul, South Korea
  Member of the women's football club during undergraduate studies
• Sport-Club Charlottenburg, April–July 2022 | Berlin, Germany
  Played for the women's football team during exchange semester
• EWHA Girl's High School EWHA FC, Mar 2014 - Feb 2017 | Seoul, South Korea
  Founded the team and served as captain, leading the club's establishment and development

What Football Means to Me

Football has shaped both my personal resilience and collaborative spirit. Through years of training and competition, I've developed mental toughness and physical endurance that directly fuel my capacity to pursue demanding academic work. The teamwork and cooperation I've learned on the field translate into my ability to work effectively with colleagues, research participants, and interdisciplinary teams. The resilience and fitness built through football provide the foundation I need to sustain rigorous research projects and navigate the challenges of academic life.