Kim Unertl graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI with a BS degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Option. While at Marquette, she spent several semesters as a co-op student with the Biomedical Engineering Department at the VA Medical Center in North Chicago. After graduation, Kim joined Abbott Laboratories, where she played a role in the design, development, and support of laboratory and consumer diagnostic equipment.

Kim's masters project (defended November 2006) focused on workflow and information flow in chronic disease care. She utilized qualitative methods to understand interactions between people, processes, and technology in three chronic disease clinics (multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and diabetes mellitus). Using observational and interview data, she formulated domain-specific and generalized models of workflow, temporal flow, and information flow. Her advisor on this project was Matthew Weinger. She is currently continuing towards her doctoral degree in Biomedical Informatics.

Her research interests include: human factors engineering, user-centric and context-centric design, electronic health records in ambulatory and chronic disease care, and novel techniques of information visualization.