What department are you a graduate student in? 

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Geography department.

Why did you decide to go to graduate school?

Before my Ph.D., I worked at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), a government-funded think tank in Korea. While working at KEI, I learned that administrative and census data have limitations in reflecting the up-to-date status of society and the environment. Therefore, I wish to apply various formats of data which help us understand the current situation of the environment and society and analyze the impact of extreme heat impacts on human health and society.

Did your interests change throughout your program?

I had a clear goal when I started my Ph.D., and my advisor is an expert in what I wanted to study. My research interests have been the same, but I hope to expand my research scope after finishing my Ph.D. I wish to investigate how compound risks (extreme heat and air pollution or extreme heat and hurricane power outrages) impact human health and society in the future.

What do you want to do with your advanced degree?

I enjoyed working at a think tank in Korea. I hope to work at a research institute or research university and conduct research to investigate how environmental exposure impacts human health and well-being.