Entered Program: 2018
Thesis Advisor: Tamara Alliston, PhD
Graduate Advisor: Edward Hsiao, PhD
Originally born and raised in South Korea, Jihee moved to the States at the age of ten and grew up in La Cañada, a small town in Los Angeles County. After matriculating at University of the Pacific’s 3+3 Pre-Dental Program, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. During her undergraduate years, she investigated the structure of beta-amyloid peptide and how its interaction with other proteins contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. She had also been involved in identifying molecular mechanisms that provide spider silks with exceptional tensile strength and using the information to produce synthetic silk fibers as biomaterials for medical and military applications. During this time, she was drawn to how basic biological sciences can be linked to clinical relevance for directly helping patients in needs, solidifying her desire to become a clinician-scientist. As a DDS/PhD student, she is interested in cancer, stem cell, and developmental biology. Specifically, her interests lie in craniofacial anomalies and craniofacial tissue and tooth regeneration using stem cells. Outside the lab and classrooms, she is an avid swimmer and snowboarder, a novice golfer, a violinist for community orchestra and chamber ensembles, and a cooking aficionado who loves experimenting in the kitchen.
