As a mineralogist and materials scientist, I investigate the behavior of planetary interiors under extreme conditions through experimental and computational methods. I then utilize these findings to model the evolution and dynamics of planets in my roles as a planetary scientist and geophysicist. My research in comparative planetary science also involves collaboration with seismologists, geodynamicists, planetary scientists, and astrophysicists to understand the chemical and physical evolution of planets resulting from material processes in their interiors.
The collaborative environment at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE), along with the new initiative in Materials of the Universe (MOTU) and the Facility for Open Research in a Compressional Environment (FORCE), makes it an exciting place to conduct this type of research.
I create educational content using an open-source computational framework and large language model productivity tools. I am passionate about teaching data analysis, computation, and knowledge development. I have a strong interest in connecting research and education. You can find some of these activities in the "Resources" section of this website.
Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, USA, 2021-present.
Navrotsky Professor of Materials Research, Arizona State University, USA, 2022-2025.
Associate Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, USA, 2012-2021.
Visiting Professor, Yonsei University, Korea, 2019.
Visiting Scientist, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, France, 2014.
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, 2008-2011.
Assistant Professor, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, 2003-2007.
Miller Research Fellow, University of California at Berkeley, USA, 2001-2003.
Ph.D. Geosciences, Princeton University, USA, 2001.
M.S. Geological Sciences, Seoul National University, Korea, 1994.
B.S. Geological Sciences, Seoul National University, Korea, 1992.
Interiors of Earth, solar-system planets, and exoplanets: Planetary interiors (including rocky planets, ice giants, gas giants, carbon planets, water world exoplanets, hydrogen world exoplanets, super-Earths, and sub-Neptunes)
Mineral physics and mineralogy: Planetary Materials, Structure of Earth Materials, Introduction to Mineral Physics, Mineral spectroscopy and crystallography, Phase Transitions in the Mantle
Knowledge development and management: The development of new scientific knowledge by combining a range of tools with large language models (LLMs).
Data analysis: Coding for exploration, Python for Earth Science, Python for Graduate Research, Data and Computation
Other courses: Introduction to Geology, The Core-Mantle Boundary, Volatiles and Ices in Earth and Planets, Hydrogen: From Planetary To Energy Sciences