Welcome, and thank you for visiting my research space. This site offers a window into the questions, experiences, and interests that shape my work. I hope what you find here resonates with your own curiosities and perhaps sparks new insights, conversations, or collaborations.

I don't associate one geographical location with my home base. As a Renaissance polymath whose journey has taken me from Korea, across the Pacific to America, and now to Wales, my perspective has been shaped by diverse cultures and healthcare systems. Growing up in a family of physicians—with my grandfather serving as an army surgeon during the Vietnam War—I learned early that medicine is about healing the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. These values have guided my approach to both research and clinical interests.

At Barnard College of Columbia University, my studies in Psychology have helped me bridge cognitive neuroscience with medical practice. My worldview has been shaped by experiencing contrasting healthcare models: South Korea's accessible preventive care system and America's innovative yet inequitable approach. These experiences reinforced my belief that healthcare should be a universal right and have profoundly influenced my research interests.

"The greatest wealth is health." — Virgil

A pivotal experience in my academic journey was participating in (Y)Our Longer Life at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health, where I explored digital health solutions in a multigenerational environment. Working alongside students from teenagers to octogenarians provided insights into how technology can serve diverse populations and address healthcare disparities, while maintaining the human connection essential to healing.

Beyond academia, I am developing an early-stage venture focused on aging research and international collaboration in holistic well-being. I am particularly interested in how solutions like wearable technology can transform patient care while preserving the essential human connection at the core of medicine. This venture represents my commitment to translating research into practical solutions across cultural boundaries.

In September 2025, I will begin my medical education at Swansea University Medical School, integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical practice in a different healthcare context. I look forward to bringing my international perspective to this new environment, expanding my understanding of how various approaches to healthcare can complement one another.

My approach has been informed by global exposure and personal experience: I believe effective healthcare requires addressing not just conditions but understanding individuals holistically. By combining insights from multiple disciplines with perspectives gained across diverse healthcare systems, I hope to contribute meaningfully to medical advancement and patient care.

"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease." — William Osler

My Curriculum Vitae details my academic background, research experience, publications, awards, and additional qualifications. Download for an overview of my professional journey.