Sep. 8, 2025
This is part of a series of Q&As introducing faculty who have joined the College of Health Sciences for the 2025–26 academic year. Meet all of our new faculty members.
Soomin Ryu
Assistant professor, Department of Public Health
What classes are you teaching this semester?
I’m not teaching any classes this semester. Starting next year, I will be teaching an online course titled HLTH 7952: Research Methods.
Tell us about yourself. What is your background?
I was born and raised in South Korea, where I completed my undergraduate studies. I then moved to the University of Maryland to pursue a PhD in Public Policy, where I began researching the effects of social policy on health outcomes such as mortality, teenage fertility and chronic diseases.
Since then, I’ve collaborated with epidemiologists and biostatisticians to examine the impacts of community-based intervention programs on health behaviors and health disparities among vulnerable populations.
Before joining Mizzou, I spent three years as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan. Our team studied disparities in the impact of COVID-19 using a representative sample of confirmed cases in Michigan. During my postdoc, I also mentored students and research staff.
What brought you to Mizzou? To your field?
Mizzou offers many opportunities for collaboration, particularly with faculty who focus on health disparities, social determinants of health and program evaluation — areas that align closely with my research interests.
There are also several research centers at Missouri, such as the Research Data Center and the Missouri Prevention Science Institute, where I can receive support and build research collaborations.
In addition, our department has both undergraduate and master’s programs, where I look forward to contributing through teaching and mentoring students in both classroom settings and research projects. I’m especially excited to guide students as they develop their own research questions.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
Collaborating (and chatting!) with kind and insightful students and colleagues. I always learn so much from them.
What has you excited for this semester?
This is my first time living in Missouri, and I’m really excited to explore Columbia and meet new people at Mizzou.
What is a fun hobby or activity that you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy traveling with my husband and family. I also love walking, running, working out at the gym and reading books on art history.
Share a memorable moment from your time teaching – something funny, touching, or just downright unforgettable!
I remember meeting regularly with students who were struggling in class. During office hours, we worked together to identify the root of their difficulties and had lunch together while reviewing the material. Seeing those students grow and succeed was a truly rewarding experience.
What is your hidden talent?
I can eat more than my husband and gain less weight!
