I have long-standing interests in host-pathogen interactions, especially focusing on the intracellular pathogens. Since my Ph.D. training, I have been focusing on immune responses and immunopahogenesis observed during the infection of Orientia tsutusgamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus. I also expand my research areas to tumor virology since postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. I have a broad background in cellular immunology, molecular biology, proteomics, and genomics. Currently, I am the mentor for 10 Ph.D. students and for 1 postdoctoral fellow. We have established immunological tools/profiles of host cells in vitro and in vivo models for scrub typhus. Working with clinicians at several Korean hospitals, we have also studied immunological pathogenesis scrub typhus in patients. Based on animal model and clinical research on scrub typhus, we are now searching protective antigens for the vaccine development. In addition, my lab is studying the virus-host cell interaction, especially focusing on dendritic cells and T cells, and expanding the knowledge and technology for improving anti-tumor immunity in vivo mice models.

Genetic engineering, Molecular biology, Microbiology, Tumor virology