About Me

I was born and raised in South Korea, and my academic journey has taken me coast-to-coast across the United States. In 2013, I set out for California to study Management Science at the University of California, San Diego—sunny beaches and all—where I discovered my passion for rigorous, data-driven research. Eager to deepen my econometric skills, I then headed east to Washington, D.C., earning my Master’s in Economics at Georgetown University. Most recently, I landed in the South at Clemson University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics. From the Pacific shores through the nation’s capital to the rolling hills of South Carolina, I’ve embraced every region and academic community in pursuit of understanding how policy shapes lives. 

Outside of research, I spend most of my free time with my two dogs, Gangnam (left) and Kyungsan (right). They are twins! Whether we’re out for a long walk, exploring a quiet trail, or just relaxing at home, they’ve been the most loyal companions through every phase of my academic journey. They don’t care much about identification strategies or regression models—but they do remind me to step away from the screen, take deep breaths, and enjoy life’s simpler routines. (And yes, they absolutely know they’re loved—and they give it right back.)