Dr. Pak conducted post-doctoral research in Sleep Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at Perelman School of Medicine. Her overall research is focused on disturbed sleep as a predictor of adverse health outcomes. Dr. Pak's research has significantly advanced our understanding of sleep disorders and their connections with chronic diseases. Dr. Pak has expertise in sleep medicine, biomarkers, and translational research. 

Dr. Pak has led over a dozen research studies and clinical trials, and has also secured federal funding from NIH (F31, K99, R00, R61). Dr. Pak has experience as a PI of work funded by a NIH F31 examining phthalate biomarkers in susceptible occupational populations, a NIH K99/R00 on biological and genetic mechanisms of sleepiness in sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease, and was recently funded by a NIH R61 focused on improving sleep and AD biomarkers. 

Dr. Pak conducted the first-ever study examining metabolomics in the context of sleepiness, and identified metabolite associations with symptoms and cardiovascular disease risk. She conducted a pioneering candidate gene study, identifying a variant linked to sleepiness-which leads the way for future treatments targeting symptoms and reducing cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease risk. Her work on examining the biological, metabolomic, and genetic mechanisms of sleepiness and the impact of continuous positive airway pressure on cell adhesion molecules in persons with obstructive sleep apnea has garnered recognition from leading organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Mayo Clinic. 

Dr. Pak has authored and coauthored over 40 manuscripts and book chapters. Her work has been published in journals such as the International Journal of Obesity-Nature (London), Metabolomics, and SLEEP. 

Her publications have been referenced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

She has presented at international conferences on the topics of sleep, biomarkers, and translational research. 

The goal of her research is to improve sleep and quality of life of individuals and families.