Engineering & Research Overview
I pursue engineering at the intersection of materials science, applied mathematics, and human-centered design. My work spans semiconductor packaging, sustainable materials, AI-driven systems, and quantitative research in both STEM and social science. Across projects, I focus on building solutions grounded in technical rigor, interdisciplinary thinking, and real-world impact.
Featured Engineering Projects
Engineered an E.coli biosensor and led the modeling & business teams for the NYC Empire State iGEM project, presented at the Grand Jamboree in Paris.
(Click image to visit the team website.)
Co-founded a public transit accessibility initiative, designing accessible turnstile prototypes and mapping mobility barriers
across Manhattan.
(Click image to visit the team website.)
Co-founded a math equity nonprofit, publishing a bilingual middle-school math book and establishing clubs in under-resourced schools in Puerto Rico.
(Click image to visit the team website.)
Research Papers
STEM Papers
(1) Sustainable Sanitary Pad Project Using Hanji
Developed a biodegradable sanitary pad using hanji (traditional Korean paper) as an absorbent core, integrating materials science techniques to evaluate performance and environmental impact. Conducted synthetic-blood absorption experiments and analyzed biodegradation using FT-IR and SEM.
Key Contributions:
• Designed and fabricated hanji-based absorbent cores
• Performed FT-IR spectrum comparison and SEM microstructure analysis
• Conducted biodegradation assessment over time
Published in Knowledge to Lead, Vol. 6, No. 1 (2025), pp. 209–218
Received Awards:
- Professor’s Award (3rd Place), HOBY International Young Scholars Conference
- Excellence Award, Gangwon Science Fair (Env. Div.)
- Bronze Medal & Finalist, International Greenwich Olympiad (Selected STEM National Representative)
- Bronze Award, Korean Science and Engineering Fair
(Click image for full research paper link)
(2) Vector Calculus Application to Aircraft Wing Design
Applied vector calculus to model wingtip vortices and induced drag reduction using CFD simulations on SimScale. Verified aerodynamic efficiency of winglets through theoretical comparison and simulated pressure distributions.
Key Contributions:
• Modeled airflow to analyze vortex generation
• Ran CFD simulations evaluating lift and drag behavior
• Validated winglet performance with aerodynamic principles
Published in Curieux Academic Journal, Issue 55, Part 1 (2025), pp. 367–381.
(Click image for full research paper link)
Social Sciences Papers
(1) Singing in the Void — Dark Musicals & Existential Cinema
(with Prof. Tom Sellar, Yale University)
Co-authored an interdisciplinary research paper examining how musical films subvert genre conventions to portray existential and philosophical crisis. Conducted comparative film and performance analysis, bridging modern musical studies with historical frameworks.
Key Contributions:
• Analyzed narrative subversion and tonal dissonance in “dark musicals”
• Integrated theatre theory, cinema studies, and philosophy
• Developed a new conceptual lens for interpreting the genre
(Click image for full research paper link)
(2) Impact of Musical Participation on Self-Efficacy in Adolescents
Conducted a pre–post quantitative study measuring changes in student self-efficacy using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Analyzed data with SPSS (reliability, t-tests, correlations), demonstrating statistically significant improvement following musical participation.
Key Contributions:
• Designed IRB-aligned survey instrument and methodology
• Performed statistical analysis (t = –4.58, p < .001)
• Presented findings and won 1st place at school academic conference
Received Awards:
- Gold Award (1st Place), KMLA Academic Festival Competition (Social Science Division)
Publication in progress (2025).
(Click image for full research paper link)