I was born in Seoul, South Korea, but grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Iowa State University, where I conducted undergraduate research in Dr. Jeffrey Essner’s lab using zebrafish models to study mucopolysaccharidosis. After graduating, I commissioned as an Infantry officer in the U.S. Army and went on to serve for nearly ten years. During my military career, I had opportunities to work alongside scientific and public health organizations including Johns Hopkins, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the USDA, and USAID. These experiences ultimately reinforced my interest in biomedical science and my decision to return to graduate education.

I am currently pursuing my M.S. in Pathology at the University of Iowa and rotating in Dr. Ashutosh Mangalam’s lab, where I am studying multiple sclerosis and exploring relationships between HLA-DRB1 genetic variation and the gut microbiome. Through my graduate training, I hope to better understand how interactions between genetics, the immune system, and the microbiome contribute to human disease.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my wife (Jennifer) and our two golden retrievers (Leia and Riley), painting, collecting watches, and visiting National Parks.