About
I am a herpetologist and evolutionary biologist interested in the processes of speciation, evolution of complex phenotypes, and historical biogeography. I am primarily interested in testing these research questions using snakes as a model system. But I am also passionate about the population genomics and ecology of salamanders.
I was born and raised in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and I still live here. I like to think that my hometown is the center for herpetology in South Korea. First, you can find almost half of all amphibian and terrestrial reptile spcies of Korea within Chuncheon itself or within easy driving distance. Second, my home university (which is also in Chuncheon) has the only lab in the country that specializes in herpetology. So, naturally, this is my favorite place in the world!
I graduated from Kangwon National University with my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, and I’m currently a PhD student in Dr. Frank Burbrink’s lab at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).