My story

Educational Background

My passion for environmental science was sparked in childhood when I witnessed the pristine coastline of my small seaside village being polluted by factory wastewater. This experience ignited a lifelong commitment to understanding nature’s resilience and ecological restoration. As a high school student, I immersed myself in environmental literature, including Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and participated in a national environmental essay-writing contest.

This early passion led me to the School of Biological Sciences at Seoul National University, where I built a comprehensive foundation in ecological studies through coursework in ecology, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, microbiology, environmental biology, evolutionary biology, soil geography, statistics, and experimental design.

Academic Trajectory

Master’s Research (Seoul National University, 2005–2007)

During my Master's program in Environmental Management, I voluntarily joined a plant ecology laboratory, where I developed my capabilities as a researcher by gaining hands-on experience with various ecological research methods through an apprenticeship. My Master’s research focused on the ecological assessment of abandoned fields and their natural restoration into freshwater wetland ecosystems through plant succession. This work was published in the Journal of Ecology and Environment (Scopus). I also examined the effects of flooding on wetland plant growth and competition, publishing the results in Plant Ecology (SCIE, IF: 1.7, JCR top 65.5%).

Doctoral Research (McGill University, 2009–2015)

I was awarded full funding through a research assistantship (~3,000 USD/month) to pursue my Ph.D. at McGill University—the top-ranked university in Canada and ranked 27th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026)—in Montreal, Canada. My research focused on ecological restoration of diverse plant communities to manage invasive alien species, particularly Phragmites australis. This work led to four high-impact publications:

•   Two first-author papers in Journal of Ecology (SCIE, IF: 5.6, JCR top 10.0%) on functional groups/diversity and biotic resistance to invasion, with one recognized as the most highly cited paper by BRIC, the Korean biological research community

•   A first-author paper in Oecologia (SCIE, IF: 2.3, JCR top 47.5%)

•   A first-author review paper in Biological Invasions (SCIE, IF: 2.6, JCR top 38.5%)

During my doctoral program, my advisors described me as “a running horse,” a nickname reflecting my drive to lead research from the forefront.

Professional Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher (Seoul National University, 2015–2016)

As a principal investigator, I secured a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant (25,000 USD) to apply advanced ecological technologies to invasive species management. This research on Ageratina altissima and Ambrosia trifida—two representative Korean invasive species—produced two first-author publications in Ecology and Evolution (SCIE, IF: 2.3) and Journal of Plant Biology (SCIE, IF: 2.0).

Postdoc/Research Professor (Yonsei University, 2017–2020)

I continued to demonstrate research leadership by securing a substantial NRF grant (190,000 USD) as project PI for a three-year program investigating invasive species (Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia trifida, and Spartina anglica). This work resulted in three first-author publications in Ecological Engineering (SCIE, IF: 4.1, JCR top 18.0%) and Wetlands Ecology and Management (SCIE, IF: 1.6). My contributions were recognized with a Best Oral Presenter Award from the Korean Ecology Environmental Science Congress, hosted by Ecological Society of Korea in 2017.

Assistant/Associate Professor (Gyeongkuk National University/Andong National University, 2020–present) 

In my current role, I have established myself as an independent researcher, educator, and scientific leader.

(1) Major Funding Acquisition

I obtained a five-year NRF grant (500,000 USD) as project PI for “Seed mixture-based restoration of native plants for invasive plant management and biodiversity conservation” (2022–2027). I also secured funding (80,000 USD, 2024–2027) as project PI from the Society of Ecological Restoration (SER) in partnership with Microsoft for “Application of optimal eradication and native plant restoration methods to control invasive plants and improve native biodiversity in Umyeonsan Mountain, Republic of Korea.” Additionally, I secured further funding (35,000 USD / 135,000 USD, 2025–2028) as a responsible participant for “Restoration of Taiga Bean Goose Wetland Habitat” from SER in partnership with Microsoft.

(2) Greenhouse Experiments

I established a specialized greenhouse facility that has become a regional resource for invasive species research. I conducted pot experiments testing various invasive alien species—including Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia trifida, Ageratina altissima, Symphyotrichum pilosum, Solidago altissima, and Hypochaeris radicata—as well as alien species of concern (e.g., Muhlenbergia capillaris) through seed mixture-based ecological restoration. I demonstrated independent research capacity by publishing three sole-author articles in Ecosphere (SCIE, IF: 2.9, JCR top 34.0%), Ecology and Evolution (SCIE, IF: 2.3, JCR top 47.5%), and Plant Ecology (SCIE, IF: 1.7, JCR top 65.5%). I also published the S. angulatus experiment as first author in Oecologia (SCIE, IF: 2.3, JCR top 47.5%).

(3) Field Experiments

I conducted field experiments on invasive Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia trifida, Solidago altissima, and Spartina anglica at multiple sites (near Nakdong River in Andong; Daejeo and Macdo Ecological Parks and Eulsukdo Island in Busan; and Ganghwado Island mudflats) to test various mechanical eradication methods and restore diverse native plants by sowing seeds immediately after removal. The A. trifida field experiment was published in NeoBiota (SCIE, IF: 3.0, JCR top 23.2%). Two papers on S. angulatus and S. altissima were published in Journal of Environmental Management (SCIE, IF: 8.4, JCR top 8.3%), a top-tier journal in the environmental science field.

(4) Large-Scale Field Applications

I am leading a large-scale (>3 ha) restoration project to manage invasive Ageratina altissima along trail paths and improve plant biodiversity in Umyeonsan Mountain, Gwacheon, with more than 80 citizen volunteers participating in 2024. Successfully managing this project demonstrates my ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Notably, this project applies a newly invented seed flat technology (Patent Application No. 10-2025-0046655, Korean Intellectual Property Office), currently being tested for its effectiveness in ecological restoration.

(5) International Collaborations

I collaborated with several North American ecologists (including Prof. Karin Kettenring and Prof. Sylvie de Blois) by leading international meetings and discussions, resulting in a review paper published in Ecological Engineering (SCIE, IF: 4.1, JCR top 18.0%). Recently, in cooperation with Prof. Jane Molofsky (University of Vermont), I authored three papers based on the National Environment Survey of Korea dataset, covering (1) Korean plant diversity patterns and mechanisms, (2) the diversity–invasion paradox, and (3) factors predicting plant invasion success. These were submitted to top-tier journals as first and corresponding author.

Since July 2019, I have served as a leading author for the invasive alien species assessment report of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), representing the Republic of Korea. Through this role, I collaborate with leading international scholars in invasive species management and contribute to the development of global standard policies for improved management of invasive alien species.

With 25 presentations at international conferences across nine countries, I have built a robust global research network, enabling me to study Korean ecosystem characteristics in a worldwide context.

(6) Journal Editing and Peer Review

I have been contributing to the advancement of ecological scholarship through editorial service at international journals. I serve as an Associate Editor for Journal of Ecology (SCIE, IF: 5.6, JCR top 10.0%), published by the British Ecological Society, and as a Subject-Matter Editor for Ecosphere (SCIE, IF: 2.9, JCR top 34.0%), published by the Ecological Society of America. I also serve as a Board of Editors member for Journal of Ecology and Environment, published by the Ecological Society of Korea.

I have also made extensive international contributions through peer review activities. To date, I have completed a total of 86 manuscript reviews for SCIE journals (verified via ORCID). The journals I have reviewed for span 38 titles, ranging from top-tier ecology journals to specialized outlets, including Nature (IF: 50.5), Nature Plants (IF: 15.8), Nature Communications (IF: 14.7), Ecology Letters (IF: 7.6), Journal of Environmental Management (IF: 8.0), and Journal of Applied Ecology (IF: 5.7). Notably, I have been repeatedly invited to review for key journals such as Ecological Engineering (15 reviews), Journal of Environmental Management (7 reviews), and Biological Invasions (7 reviews), which demonstrates that my expertise is internationally recognized in these fields. These editorial and review activities represent important scholarly service that enables me to stay abreast of the latest research trends and contribute to the academic community. In recognition of these contributions, I received the Reviewer of the Month award from Communications Biology.

(7) Industry–Academia Collaborations

I focus on creating social value from academic research. Together with InvaLab Inc. (CEO: Dr. Wonhyup Shin), an ecological restoration startup, I co-developed and filed a seed flat patent and signed a technology transfer agreement for its industrialization. I also joined an ecological restoration research project (“Restoration of Taiga Bean Goose Wetland Habitat”) led by the NGO Bird Korea (Director: Dr. Nial Moores) as a responsible participating researcher. These industry–academia collaborations will provide students with practical research opportunities and career pathways.

(8) Supervision Excellence

I have successfully supervised several graduate students, with one student’s thesis published in Journal of Applied Ecology (SCIE, IF: 4.8, JCR top 8.2%) and another publication in Oecologia (SCIE, IF: 2.3, JCR top 47.5%) as corresponding author. All of my supervised students have been hired as full-time researchers at the National Institute of Ecology or ecological restoration companies. This track record reflects a commitment to both research mentorship and trainee career development.