MEMBERS

I am a neuroscientist investigating the neural mechanisms underlying adaptive memory and behavior, with a focus on how neuromodulatory circuits shape goal-directed actions. Using an integrative, multi-scale approach—including behavioral paradigms, optogenetics, electrophysiology, in vivo calcium imaging (2-photon and miniature microscopy), fiber photometry, and computational modeling—I study how neural circuit dynamics encode, store, and retrieve information to guide adaptive behavior. My work emphasizes cell-type-specific computations and the role of neuromodulators such as dopamine and norepinephrine in memory formation, decision-making, and behavioral flexibility. Ultimately, I aim to uncover circuit-level principles that can inform therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Science at GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), where I lead the Neurobiological Intelligence (NBI) Lab. Prior to this, I was a Scientist at the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, contributing to large-scale, open-science efforts to map neural activity during adaptive behavior. I received my training at Johns Hopkins University under Hyungbae Kwon, where I helped develop and apply innovative activity-dependent labeling tools, including Cal-Light and iTango, to dissect the neural substrates of behaviorally relevant memory.

Positions

• 2025-current: Assistant Professor, Department of Life Science, GIST
• 2026-current: Adjunct Professor, Department of Integrative Neuroscience & Physiology, GIST
• 2026-current: Adjunct Professor, Integrated Institute of Biomedical Research, GIST
• 2026-current: Adjunct Professor, GIST Advanced Institute of Instrumental Analysis (GAIA), GIST

Education and Training

• Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences — Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
• M.S. in Bio and Brain Engineering — Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
• B.S. in Physics (Minor: Mathematics) — Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea

Awards & Honors

• Association of Korean Neuroscientists Junior Research Scientist Award
• Postdoctoral Research Accelerator Award, Johns Hopkins University
• Young investigator W. Barry Wood Jr. Research Award, Johns Hopkins University
• Neuromodulation of Neural Microcircuit Conference travel award, EPFL
• Max Planck Florida Institute postdoc travel grant award, MPFI
• Okinawa Computational Neuroscience Course
• The first place, Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Competition
• Travel awards, Dartmouth College Graduate Studies
• National Scholarship received from Korean government, KAIST
• Graduation with Summa Cum Laude, KAIST
• Merit-based Scholarship, KAIST
• Gold medal in National Science Competition for Physics and Chemistry, South Korea