Sunwook Kim

Sunwook Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech, part of the College of Engineering. His work focuses on human factors engineering, ergonomics, and occupational biomechanics with a strong emphasis on exoskeleton technology and neurodiverse collaboration. Kim holds a Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.

His research explores how exoskeletons impact physical demands and safety in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings. Notable studies include evaluating passive and powered exoskeletons for tasks like lifting, overhead work, and gait assistance, alongside investigating their effects on postural control, muscle activity, and user acceptance. He also examines neurodiverse team dynamics using advanced methodologies like Hidden Markov Models and physiological signal analysis.

Kim's work bridges human performance, assistive technology, and workplace safety, with applications in falls prevention, biomechanical monitoring, and ergonomic intervention design. His interdisciplinary approach integrates machine learning, sensor technologies, and biomechanical modeling to address real-world challenges.

His recent articles highlight trends in exoskeleton adoption factors, human-robot collaboration, and motor adaptation during exoskeleton use. Ongoing research includes fall monitoring systems using radar sensing and feature-resonated neural networks, reflecting his commitment to advancing both theoretical and applied human factors engineering.