PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Cell Biology
Area of Interest
Proteolysis is a radical form of post-translational modification that can have an immediate impact on protein function, localization, and interaction. In a typical mammalian genome, there are 500-600 proteases that can transform cell morphology, behavior, and even identity.
We are particularly interested in ones that play a role in myotube formation, muscular dystrophies, cachexia, and sarcopenia. Our model systems include C2C12 cells, primary myoblasts, patient-derived iPSCs/fibroblasts, and zebrafish. In addition to standard cell biology approaches, we make use of chemical biology and advanced microscopy techniques.
Awards and Honors
- NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award, NIAMS, 2023
- Travel Award, Society for Muscle Biology, 2021
- Salk Career Advancement Award, Salk Society of Research Fellows, 2021
- Salk Proposal Writing Series – Best Proposal Award, Salk Postdoctoral Office, 2021
- Salk Trainee Showcase Talk Award, Salk Society of Research Fellows, 2019
- Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship in Aging Research, American Federation for Aging Research, 2018-2019
- Seed Grant, Stanford ChEM-H Institute, 2014
- Travel Grant, Stanford Biosciences Office of Graduate Education, 2014
- Samsung Predoctoral Fellowship, Samsung Scholarship Foundation, 2010-2015
- Summa cum laude, Seoul National University, 2010
- KFAS Predoctoral Scholarship, Korea Foundation of Advanced Studies (gratefully declined), 2009
- Academic Excellence Award, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 2006
- Presidential Scholarship, President of Korea, 2005-2010
- Samsung Human-Tech Thesis Prize (Bronze Prize), Samsung Electronics, 2005
