People

Develops materials and technologies that instruct tissue morphogenesis to improve models of development, regeneration, and disease.

I grew up in the California desert, where the "microenvironment" fostered a love of both art and science. While studying chemical engineering at UC Santa Barbara, I found that research allowed me to pursue science as a creative endeavor. From there, I followed my namesake to Austin, Texas, to pursue my PhD in the Keitz Lab, developing living materials that dynamically respond to their environment, similar to tissues. Now in the Gartner Lab, I program in vitro tissue morphogenesis with an emphasis on designing dynamic biomaterials and tissue-tissue interfaces. Outside of the lab, you can find me skiing, playing tennis, at a concert, or exploring all that California has to offer.

Applies multidisciplinary, multiscale approaches to understand and program how living matter organizes into predictable shapes and patterns.

Develops machine-learning and bioinformatics tools to map paths between cell states and understand how perturbations can reprogram immune cells.

Studies how cell properties and interactions produce tissue-level structural ensembles and heterogeneity.

Investigates the biophysical mechanisms of cell-cell interface formation, membrane protein assembly, and tissue patterning.

I was born in East Lansing, Michigan, but I mostly grew up in South Korea. I received a bachelor's degree in biological science and electrical engineering (double major) from KAIST. I completed my doctoral studies at DGIST, focusing on single-molecule biophysics using nanomaterials, under the guidance of Dr. Daeha Seo and Jong-Chan Lee. In the Spring of 2024, I joined UCSF as a postdoc to investigate the underlying principles of cell-cell interface formation with Dr. Zev Gartner and Young-Wook Jun as my co-advisors.

Uses statistical mechanics to define cellular identity through a cell's components and their interactions.

Works at the intersection of computational design and 3D bioprinting to advance tissue engineering for regenerative medicine.

Studies how the tissue microenvironment influences cell-type plasticity in the mammary gland.

Uses spatial transcriptomic methods including MERFISH to study gene-expression patterns in normal and diseased mammary glands.

I integrate single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets to study gut development by identifying developmental cell states, signaling pathways, and cellular interactions. My goal is to translate these insights into more reproducible and physiologically relevant gut organoids through stem cell engineering and bioprinting.

I grew up in Sichuan, China, a province known for its spicy cuisine and giant pandas. I later moved to Beijing to study Integrated Science at Peking University, then spent a gap year at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus before beginning the Tetrad PhD Program at UCSF. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking around San Francisco, playing badminton, and photographing landscapes and cultural heritage. I also enjoy reading biographies and popular science books. My favorite animated film is Big Hero 6, and I especially relate to Hiro Hamada's curiosity and enthusiasm for science and engineering. I'm always happy to share recommendations for Sichuan food.

Studies mammary gland biology and how cellular plasticity differs across mammalian models while coordinating lab operations.

Born and raised in San Francisco's Mission District, I had a colorful childhood that included dancing Flamenco and Samba on the weekends, boogie boarding along the California coast, and volunteering at the San Francisco Zoo every summer. When it came time to transfer from community college, I chose to stay close to home and study Animal Biology at the University of California, Davis. While at UC Davis, I conducted behavioral research on African lions and grizzly bears through a collaboration with the San Francisco Zoo. After graduation, I joined the hospital team at the California Academy of Sciences, where I assisted with surgical procedures on the Academy's animal residents. In the Gartner Lab, I now apply this experience by performing specialized surgical procedures and animal tissue collection, including naked mole-rat mammary epithelium, for studies investigating the plasticity of the prostate and mammary glands. When I'm not in the lab, you can find me in my kitchen making lattes and listening to music, visiting a farmer's market to make a TikTok recipe I saved months ago, or gardening in my yard with my son.

Bioengineering

Builds human tissues from the bottom up to learn how cells organize collective behavior and how tissue structure changes in disease.