IMMUNIZATION SAVES lives, eradicates diseases, and protects populations. Although many agree on the paramount importance of vaccines for global health, the people who contribute to vaccine delivery and policy decision-making processes remain mostly out of the limelight. The Yonsei Annals interviewed Kim Chae-lin, a research assistant at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to gain insights into the field of public health research.

     Annals:  Could you briefly introduce IVI?

   Kim: IVI is a non-profit organization established as a part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative in 1997, located at the Seoul National University Research Park. The main goal of our organization is to conduct research on vaccines and vaccination that treats diseases in developing countries. IVI directs attention to unprofitable, but necessary research on these diseases in which private pharmaceutical companies inevitably play a restricted role.

         Annals: What was the main motivation to pursue this career path?

   Kim: I studied Theology and Political Science and Diplomacy during my undergraduate years. When studying political science, I started to question why today’s society still suffers from poverty and inequity; consequently, I became interested in intergovernmental organizations which strive to confront these problems. During my time in New York as an exchange student, I explored what field of expertise I want to specialize in, and what specific role I can play within an intergovernmental organization. I had an internship opportunity at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, where I attended numerous meetings including the Sustainable Development Summit. In one meeting, I had a moment of realization that sparked my interest in health; without a healthy population, no other problem can be tackled.

   I wanted to work on a large scale, contributing to the health of populations rather than the health of individuals, and working on a global level rather than working within Korea. Furthermore, after returning to Korea after finishing my graduate studies in London, and in the midst of the escalating spread of the Coronavirus, I heard from close friends in India with relatives whose lives were at stake due to the lack of basic medical equipment such as oxygen masks. Thus, I felt more passionate about global health and decided to work at IVI where I can contribute to improving healthcare in developing countries.

     Annals: Could you describe your academic journey in health policy?

   Kim: I studied Health Policy, Planning and Financing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the London School of Economics Political Science. There were many students who already had robust experience in the health field, including those who had been working at international organizations—namely the World Health Organization (WHO)—for many years. I learned a lot from my peers academically and was inspired by their collaborative method of studying, which was different from Korea’s mostly competitive atmosphere.

     Annals: Could you describe your other working experiences prior to IVI?

   Kim: I worked in the Policy Development and Advocacy Team at the Korea Health Promotion Institute. Graphic Health Warning Labels (GHWL) on tobacco products were being implemented at that time, and the expected outcomes of the tobacco policy had to be evaluated, especially in comparison to those of other countries. I assisted with completing the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)[1] Impact Assessment to evaluate tobacco control measures and their effectiveness by mainly interviewing experts in various tobacco-related institutions.

   Pursuing my passion for research, I worked at the Institute of Health Policy and Management at Seoul National University Medical Research Center. My research topic was insurance, including health insurance and car insurance. I conducted qualitative research involving interviews with patients, hospital staff, and other stakeholders, getting to know the problems with car insurance on the ground. Qualitative research skills I developed at the Research Center were required for my first project at IVI related to the health impacts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policies, allowing for a smoother transition into the new workplace.

     Annals: How has your experience been working at IVI?

   Kim: I believe IVI is a great organization for those aspiring for a career in global health in South Korea. As an intergovernmental organization, IVI has various affiliated bodies working cooperatively on different projects such as the WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) which fund our projects, embassies of Denmark and Sweden, the United Kingdom government, as well as universities. Thus, IVI provides an opportunity to collaborate with diverse international bodies. Furthermore, compared to my experience as a researcher at Seoul National University, IVI assigns a range of positions for one project including a consultant, administrator, project manager, research assistant, and research scientist; this allowed me to not only focus on my own responsibilities without having to deal with additional workload related to administrative duties but also feel the joy of collaborating with others.

   My proudest moment working at IVI was receiving the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Professional Development Award. I had the honor of traveling to Malaysia to present my research on the potential impact of vaccines on antimicrobial resistance based on the study of 15 bacterial pathogens, modeling how many deaths due to AMR could have been prevented if vaccines reached those in need. Another fulfilling experience was co-supervising a thesis for a graduate student studying in Germany. I recently heard that she completed her paper and is waiting for viva voce. Through this experience, I realized that helping another person’s research is an extremely enriching experience.

   In terms of difficulties, there is a glass ceiling for a female junior researcher as many other organizations and companies may have. Also, there may be restrictions to conducting research I am genuinely interested in due to internal or external factors.

     Annals: What does your typical day at work look like?

   Kim: My work depends heavily on the type of project I am working on. I am currently involved in 2 projects: Regional Antimicrobial resistance Data Analysis for Advocacy, Response, and policy (RADAAR) project and Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium (VIMC) project. The RADARR project aims to strengthen the use of AMR data in policy decisions, and I facilitated training sessions in four pilot countries—Nepal, Bangladesh, Malawi, and Uganda—on evidence-informed policy to derive insights for further implementation in other regions. As for the VIMC project, I conducted research on the association between water, sanitation, and hygiene exposures and typhoid fever.

   We have flexibility in terms of where we want to work. I usually come to the office when I have a meeting held either weekly or biweekly. During these meetings, the team discusses the future direction of the project and distributes responsibilities. Other than that, I work on whatever I need to get done on my own. I might also attend conferences and read research papers associated with my research topic. There is no fixed schedule set by the organization; I usually schedule my own time, and what I do will always vary based on different circumstances. The working time is fixed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; however, when there is an online meeting with people in other countries, it is inevitably held late at night.

     Annals: What skill sets are required by a researcher at IVI?

   Kim: Although the required skill sets will differ based on the department of IVI, I believe the most important skill is expertise. As for the Policy & Economic Research (PER) department which I am a part of, educational backgrounds in health economics, health policy, public health, or related subjects are required. Additionally, skills in statistical analysis and familiarity with using software such as R and Stata are useful for estimating disease burden[2] or potential health and economic consequences of vaccines. There are other departments, such as the Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) department, which will require clinical experience. Generally speaking, an educational background that is compatible with the department one is applying for is crucial. Thus, I recommend narrowing the scope of interest to a specific department within the organization. The degree of expertise required will differ depending on the position; for instance, while an academic degree related to the specific department is adequate for a research assistant position, a research scientist may require a Ph.D., longer working experience, and more publications.

   I also felt that work experience in low-income nations is valued. Since IVI frequently sends staff to developing countries in Asia and Africa to facilitate its projects, communication with people of those cultural backgrounds becomes significant. In terms of language skills, English is mandatory. Other languages could be of merit; for instance, numerous IVI’s projects are based in Africa, so fluency in French can be advantageous.

 Annals: What are some unique features of IVI compared to other health organizations?

 Kim: IVI is a research institution capable of conducting professional research commensurate with research published in prominent journals. As far as I know, health-related Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) may execute various missions such as providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations but not engage extensively in research. As a vaccine institute, our works are more focused on vaccines and vaccination. We carry out research to assess vaccine efficacy, evaluate adverse effects, receive the funding needed for vaccine development, and demonstrate the potential value of vaccines—how many lives and how much money can be saved globally.

     Annals: What is your ultimate career goal?

   Kim: I want to conduct research to guide policy decisions that improve people’s health. There are a plethora of policy decisions that need to be made regarding vaccines, including when a vaccine should be introduced upon an outbreak of a pandemic, whether vaccination will be effective when introduced after a certain time has passed, and how to distribute a limited number of vaccines. My goal is to provide scientific evidence that guides effective policy decisions in developing countries. The significance of such research has been shown in London at the peak of the Coronavirus outbreak when the United Kingdom was deciding whether or not to impose a lockdown. Then, research quantitatively revealed the effectiveness of a lockdown in reducing mortality rates, convincing the government to implement the policy accordingly and prevent the collapse of the healthcare system.

   Ultimately, I want to continue building my career in an intergovernmental organization and ultimately share my experience with students as an educator and mentor. During my student exchange period at Mercy College, I met many instructors who previously worked in international organizations, such as the ambassador of Austria and the former Chair of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and a Japanese professor who built a remarkable career in UN peacekeeping operations. While interning at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, I worked with Oh Joon, the former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Republic of South Korea, who now works as a professor at Kyunghee University. I believe that students need these people and their expertise, and I want to follow their path.

     Annals: Do you have any advice for undergraduate students who aspire to pursue a similar career?

 Kim: As a student, a lot of people told me that working at an international organization is an unrealistic, unobtainable goal. I hope you do not listen to those who cast doubt on your dreams. Start by interning at an organization of interest, taking related courses, or even self-studying. I have experience of walking to the United Nations Association of the United States of America in New York located 30 minutes from my school, knocking on the door, handing in my Curriculum Vitae (CV), and asking if there are any internship positions available. This bold, and somewhat reckless attempt led me to other opportunities, and ultimately to IVI. Opportunities are always out there; it is up to you to seize them.

[1] Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): The first international treaty negotiated under the WHO in response to the global tobacco epidemic which entered into force in 2005

[2] Disease burden: Impact of a health problem on a given population measured by various factors including financial cost, morbidity, and mortality