Jin-Hee’s dissertation research for the past five years is focused on identifying the gene coding for Angular Leaf Spot (ALS) resistance in cultivated strawberry. This disease which causes wet transparent angular leaf spots on the abaxial leaf surface that eventually develop into reddish-brown necrotic spots, has the distinction of being the only strawberry disease in Florida caused by a bacterium (Xanthomonas fragariae). Cultivars grown by Florida strawberry growers currently do not have resistance against this disease. Earlier research at their lab have identified a relatively large region of the strawberry genome harboring ALS resistance gene(major QTL named FaRXf1). Jin-Hee has successfully delimited this genomic region and has identified a candidate gene through a combination of fine mapping and RNASeq approaches. Additionally, she has successfully constructed the genomic sequence of this region by screening bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library and whole genome assembly of ALS resistant strawberry lines. Armed with these genomic information, she is in the process of cloning and validating this candidate gene through agrobacterium mediated transformation and gene overexpression studies. It is her hope that the results of her dissertation research will soon provide growers with an additional option to keep Florida, the winter strawberry capital of the world, free from ALS.  

When asked what is the greatest challenge that she has encountered so far in her young career, she mentioned that she cannot recall any single major challenge that stood out. She attributes this to the fact that she has been blessed with accommodating and supportive colleagues and advisers. However, she revealed that what she finds challenging is dealing with experimental setbacks. Whenever her experiments do not proceed according to plan, she sees it as an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, and to seek advice from experts. Although she prides herself of being resilient and relentless, she sees to it that she never pushes herself too much.

Jin-Hee shared that she participates in various relaxation and fun activities depending on her stress level. As a daily relaxation routine and to help her re-charge her mind, she reads few pages of self improvement books or novels before going to bed. She also works out her stress by going to her gym class and doing breathing exercises. Just recently, she started running with the goal of completing her first marathon in the near future. Whenever her busy schedule permits, she likes to go out and spend quality time with friends and family. Jin-Hee loves to travel to new places and participate in outdoor activities. She is very fond of cooking Japchae, a type of Korean stir-fried sweet potato noodles and vegetables.

With regards to her plans after graduating from her PhD program, Jin-Hee mentioned that for now she is very much focused on preparing for her dissertation defense. However, she also mentioned that she wants to continue working as a member of a molecular plant breeding team with close working relationship with a conventional plant breeding team. The best case scenario for her is to continue working on strawberry research but she is also more than willing to explore opportunities in other crop species. 

Jin-Hee's academic adviser, Dr. Seonghee Lee (head of the Strawberry Genomics Lab at UF IFAS GCREC), has a glowing testimonial about Jin-Hee and her research. "Jin-Hee has been in my program for over 5 years. She is team oriented and has a very positive personality. Her research on ALS resistance is of vital importance to the strawberry industry in Florida. This disease which is the only bacterial pathogen that infects Florida grown strawberries, reduces yield when infection occurs heavily. Through her hard work, she has successfully discovered the gene for ALS resistance and was able to develop a gene specific marker. This new marker is being used in Marker Assisted Seedling Selection (MASS) activities for developing new ALS resistant strawberry cultivars. She has two manuscripts that are almost ready to be submitted and published in high impact journals. Jin-Hee is planning to graduate this summer and continue to pursue her research career in a breeding program as a PostDoc. I am very proud of her successful journey so far in strawberry breeding and genomics." 

Interviewer: Leo Gaspar