Biography
I have built my career around the study and teaching of chemical ecology and animal behavior, passions that began during my undergraduate studies in Korea. My fascination with animals is driven by a desire to understand their behaviors in nature and the underlying reasons for these actions, which extends to a broader curiosity about human behavior and society, including my own. I am deeply committed to student mentorship, guiding students through research that often leads to academic recognition and awards. Since the beginning of my graduate studies, as a graduate teaching assistant, I have embraced the idea that “teaching is the best way of learning,” finding joy in helping students expand their understanding of nature through shared experiences. In addition to teaching, I am actively involved in professional organizations such as the Animal Behavior Society. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy spending time outdoors, particularly hiking and camping, as a way to connect with nature—an interest I have had since my teenage years.
Education
- PhD in Entomology, University of Kansas MS in Biology, Seoul National University BS in Biology, Seoul National University
Research
Interests
- My research focuses on olfactory communication in foraging, mating, and reproduction, using earthworms, fishes, and insects as model systems. My work has included studying the ant-plant mutualism in Korea, exploring pheromone communication and its role in reproduction in moths in Kansas and Florida, and investigating chemical ecology and reproductive communication in Cyprinid fishes, such as goldfish, common carp, and invasive carps in Minnesota. Through these diverse projects, I aim to deepen our understanding of how animals interact with their environments and each other through chemical signals.
Presentations
- 21-carbon steroidal sex pheromones likely determine when and where invasive Bigheaded carps (Family Xenocyprinidae) spawn, Animal Behavior Society meeting, Portland, July 2023
- Field evaluation of Sex Pheromone Attractants to control Asian carp and development of protocols for field verification of response, American Fisheries Society 144th Annual Meeting, 2014
- Species-specific information in hormonally derived sex pheromones is conveyed by body odor and context in the carps, American Fisheries Society 142nd Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN, 2012
- Invasive silver carp detect a unique range of steroids and F-type prostaglandins that likely function as sex pheromones, American Fisheries Society 142nd Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN, 2012
- The use of chemical stimuli in the control of Asian carp, American Fisheries Society 142nd Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN, 2012
- Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) detects and appears to use novel mistures of sex steroids and F prostaglandins as hormonal pheromones, 10th International Congress on the Biology of Fish, Madison, WI, 2012
- Olfactory sensitivity and specificity of juvenile bighead carp (Hypophthalmichythys nobilis) to steroids and prostaglandins, Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Conference, Sandstone, MN, 2011
- Hormone implants induce potent pheromonal attractant release from common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Minnesota-Wisconsin Invasive Species Conference, St. Paul, MN, 2010
- Ovulated female common carp (Cyprinus carpio) release a species-specific F prostaglandin-based pheromone complex that attracts conspecific males, International Society of Chemical Ecology, 27th annual meeting, Tours, France, 2010
- Pheromones in the common carp, American Fisheries Society annual meeting, Nashville, TN, 2009
- Integrated pest management of the common carp, American Fisheries Society annual meeting, Nashville, TN, 2009
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Animal Behavior Society American Society of Naturalists Association for Biology Laboratory Education