About Me
I’m a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington’s Information School, advised by Dr. Jin Ha Lee. My research explores how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, games, and virtual or augmented reality, can foster empathy, reflection, and well-being in learning environments. Specifically, my dissertation examines how integrating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education can help teenagers engage more critically and emotionally with misinformation. Beyond this, my work also investigates how AI-powered tools can support children’s emotional expression and learning, emphasizing human-centered and ethical approaches to technology design. Through participatory and design-based research, I collaborate with young people and educators to create playful technologies that nurture emotional intelligence and responsible digital citizenship.
Recent Projects
AI-Emotional Sticker
Misinformation Educational Game
Social Virtual Reality
Digital Mental Wellbeing
Misinformation Learning (Teen SEL + MIL)
AR Ethical Issues
Kids VR
AR Science
VR Memory
Teaching
Pre-doctoral Instructor
University of Washington
- Design Methods (INFO 360); Winter & Spring 2026
- Research Design (INFO 300); Autumn 2025
- Design Methods for Librarianship (LIS 547); Winter 2024
Teaching Assistant
University of Washington, 2019 - Present
- Informatic Capstone I & II
- Design Methods
- Research Methods
- Information Systems Analysis
- Research and Analysis for Info. Professionals
- Technical foundation - R
- Research, Assessment, and Design
Instructor
New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2018 - 2019
- Digital Design Studio II
- History of Games
Funding & Awards
Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Data Fluencies Dissertation Grant
$15,000 | 2024
Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) Scholarship
$2,000 | 2024
Professional Experiences
UX Research Intern, Indeed (2022)
Kids VR Entrepreneur, Kids VR (2018-2019)
Museum Eduction Intern, The Franklin Institute (2017-2018)
HR Associate, SK C&C (2012-2014)
Contribution
Knowledge Sharing
Leadership
President, Bellevue Korean Soccer Team (2024 - Present)
KSEA YG President, Seattle (2024 - Present)
PR/Event Manager, Changbal Korean IT Society in Seattle (2022-2023)
President of Korean Student Association, Syracuse University (2016-2017)
Reviewer
Journal of Education and Information Technologies
The International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network
Discover Public Health
Research Mentor
Korean-American Youth Scientist Research-thon
Lumiere Education Research Program