Back to My Homeland

Yesterday marked my final day at SRI-PARC, as I am now en route back to Korea. Following my father's passing two years ago and my sister's breast cancer diagnosis shortly thereafter, I made the decision to return to Korea to care for my sister and mother. I vividly recall the moment I boarded the flight to the USA for the first time 16 years ago, feeling a mixture of loneliness and apprehension, as though I were a solitary figure amidst a sea of strangers. Over the course of my 16 years in the USA, I have encountered and learned a great deal. Above all, I have formed incredible friendships almost like a family, which I couldn't expect that I can have. I am grateful for the myriad opportunities and the warmth I have received during my time here. My journey through Columbia, PNNL, Georgia Tech, LLNL (and LBNL), and SRI (PARC) has been both challenging and enriching. Every success and setback has served as a crucial stepping stone in shaping the person I am today.

When I embarked on that flight 16 years ago, I prayed for the chance to positively impact the world through science. Now, as I've grown older, I no longer harbor the same ambitious aspirations. Nevertheless, I continue to pray that I can exert my best effort each day, working diligently, fostering positivity, and showing love to others. In doing so, I hope to contribute to making a positive impact on the world.

As I transition into a full-time faculty position at Ewha Woman University, I have several objectives in mind:

(1) Establish a vibrant SciML research community in Korea.

(2) Advocate for gender equality within the AI community across Asia.

(3) Offer my young female students the opportunity to flourish in a global community, encompassing both academic and industrial realms.

As the Bay Area undoubtedly serves as the epicenter of career opportunities in AI and tech, my forthcoming journey will not take me away from this hub. I am committed to maintaining active collaborations with individuals in the Bay Area. In furtherance of this goal, I have established my own research consulting company, Please do stay in touch. I look forward to crossing paths with each of you again, wherever our journeys may take us.

For ongoing communication, you can reach me at my personal email addresses: sookim@ewha.ac.kr and jh502125@gmail.com

Thank you and love you all. ❤️