Team Members!
Welcome to Team Korea-HS!
About Our Team
We are a team of high school students passionate about solving overlooked environmental problems with science. Our mission is to apply synthetic biology to create realistic, scalable solutions to waste and sustainability challenges. Coming from different backgrounds and disciplines, we combine creativity, rigorous research, and collaborative spirit to tackle one of the most persistent yet under-addressed issues in food waste management. Through experimental work, outreach, and policy alignment, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to both science and society. Reach out to us at @koreahs_igem_2025!
Our Project
We are engineering a bacterial system that expresses the pectin-degrading enzyme polygalacturonase (PG), optimized for acidic environments like food waste. Our goal is to accelerate fruit peel degradation and support sustainable waste management through synthetic biology. By using microbial engineering, we aim to create a solution that is both biologically efficient and practical for real-world composting and recycling systems. Our approach is grounded in addressing current inefficiencies in fruit waste processing and enabling a circular bioeconomy. Our research introduces a novel biotechnological solution using Polygalacturonase (PG) from Aspergillus niger to address this challenge in Lactobacillus reuteri.
Meet Our Leaders
Yeseo Estelle Jeon
Project Lead | Human Practices & Wiki Team Member
Hi, my name is Yeseo, and I’m honored to serve as the project lead for Korea HS this year. I’m also actively involved in the Human Practices and Wiki/Deliverables teams. It’s a privilege to be working alongside such a passionate and talented group. I’ve been attending Branksome Hall Asia for the past four years and am currently set to graduate in 2026 (Yay!). In fact, I lived in Canada for three years. Academically, I’m deeply interested in pursuing studies in pharmacy and marine biology, which are the two fields that fascinate me for their impact on health and the environment. A fun fact about me: I’ve been playing ice hockey for nearly 10 years! Looking forward to an exciting and productive year with Korea HS!
Yeowon Ellen Hong
Project Lead | Human Practices & Experiments Team Member
Hi, I'm Ellen Hong! I'm the project leader and a part of Human Practices and Experiments team. I'm currently a rising junior with an interest in biochemistry and how science can be applied into real-world problems. I joined this iGEM project because I love the idea of using synthetic biology creatively. What excites me most about our project is how it brings together innovation and impact to the real world! I'm really looking forward to learning from others and contributing to the team. One fun fact about me is that I play golf and clarinet in my high school!
Lim Lee
Project Lead | Human Practices & Experiments Team Member
Hi! My name is Lim, and I’m currently serving as the project co-lead for our iGEM team. I’m a high school junior passionate about data science, synthetic biology, and using research to create real-world impact. I’ve previously participated in science fairs and published a thesis in the Journal of Student Research, which sparked my interest in interdisciplinary science and innovation. I joined iGEM because I believe it’s a unique opportunity to collaborate on a meaningful project while learning cutting-edge techniques in genetic engineering and data analysis. I’m especially excited about the potential our work has to address global challenges creatively and ethically. A fun fact about me: I love stargazing on clear nights!
Dongwan Thomas Kim
Human Practices Team Lead | Experiments Team Member
Hello, my name is Dongwan Kim, a freshman attending Daegu International School (DIS), and I’m this year’s Human Practices team leader. I’ve had a deep passion for math and science from a young age, often connecting ideas across different fields to come up with creative solutions. Recently, I discovered a strong interest in biology, and I believe iGEM will be a valuable stepping stone in deepening my enthusiasm for the subject. Although this is my first year participating in iGEM and synthetic biology research, I’m already excited to contribute and help make the experience both meaningful and memorable for our team. Through this opportunity, I hope to gain valuable teamwork skills and scientific insight that I can apply to future research and projects. Outside of iGEM, I enjoy playing the violin and tennis in my free time.
Juhyun Tyler Kim
Project Lead | Human Practices & Wiki Team Member
Hi everyone! My name is Tyler, and I’m a sophomore at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju. I’m currently serving as the SDG Team Lead, and my main interests lie in business management. I’m especially passionate about exploring how science-driven solutions like ours can be translated into sustainable, real-world impact. That’s what excites me most about our iGEM project, which is its potential to go beyond science and contribute meaningfully to society. Outside of academics, I love playing sports in my free time, especially basketball and baseball. One fun fact about me is that I’m 6 feet 4 inches tall (193 cm), which definitely helps on the basketball court! I’m really looking forward to working with all of you and making this season unforgettable.
MJ Minjune Choi
Experiments Team Lead | Human Practices Team Member
Hello! My name is MJ Choi, and I’m excited to be part of Korea HS! On the Korea HS team, I serve as the Experiments leader and a Human Practices member. I’m from Seoul, South Korea, and Cambridge, MA, and I’m a rising senior at a boarding school in the New England area. I've always been interested in studying natural sciences, specifically biology and chemistry, which led me to compete in iGEM. Our team's project involves optimizing fruit peel degradation by engineering bacteria to express a specific enzyme. I'm very excited about the project, as it is not too difficult to foresee the potential applications of our research in the near future.
Jihye Lee
Wiki Team Lead | SDG Team Member
Hi! I’m Jihye Lee, and I’m part of the Wiki & Deliverables and SDG this year's Korea_HS. I’m currently a rising senior with a strong interest in biochemistry, sustainability, and science communication. I joined iGEM because I wanted to apply what I’ve learned in class to a real-world problem and work with a team on something meaningful. Our project—engineering bacteria to break down fruit peel waste—really excites me because it combines environmental action with synthetic biology in a creative way. I also enjoy expressing ideas visually, so I love contributing to the Wiki and helping make our work accessible. Outside of iGEM, I like painting and playing piano. I'm excited to grow and learn with everyone this season!
Meet Our Members
Seungcheol Jayden Kang
SDG & Experiments Team Member
Hi! My name is Seungcheol Kang, and I’m part of the SDG and Experiments team in iGEM. I’m currently a high school student studying in Boston, and I’ve always been curious about how science can make a real difference in people’s lives. I joined iGEM because I wanted to be part of something meaningful—something that combines biology, collaboration, creativity, and global impact. What excites me most is working with people from different backgrounds and actually talking to others to understand their needs and perspectives.
Dohyung Lukas Kim
SDG & Experiments Team Member
Hello! My name is Lukas Kim, a freshman at VALOR International School. I am interested in synthetic biology and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pursued by iGEM. I joined iGEM because I wanted to explore ways to understand and solve real world problems, rather than simply writing research papers. I am currently working on the SDG Team and the Wiki/Deliverables Team, and I am learning a lot through this experience. I feel truly happy to be part of iGEM, and I hope that what I learn now will allow me to help others in the future when I encounter these problems. There are many people on the Korea-HS team who are much more capable than me, and I am very grateful to be joining them. Thank you for reading!
Jimin Jennifer Kim
Human Practices & Experiments Team Member
Hello! My name is Jennifer Kim, and I’m a member of the Korea-HS iGEM team. Ever since seventh grade, biology has held a place in my heart. It was the subject that sparked my curiosity about how life works on the smallest scales. That initial spark quickly turned into a passion, and I’m beyond excited to dive into this year’s iGEM project to explore real-world applications of synthetic biology. Fun fact: when I’m not in the lab or studying, I love baking (and even more so eating them). I love how the precision in the kitchen and the lab actually go hand in hand!
Muyoung Lee
Human Practices & Wiki Team Member
Hello, my name is Muyoung Lee, and I am currently a student at Cheongshim International Academy. I am a member of the Korea-HS, where I actively participate in both the Human Practices and Wiki subteams. I have a strong interest in science and engineering, and I aspire to major in aerospace engineering in the future. Through iGEM, I hope to collaborate with students from around the world, share creative ideas, and contribute to solving real-world problems. I believe this experience will help me grow as a researcher and communicator, and I'm truly honored to be part of such an innovative and global competition. I'm excited to learn, contribute, and connect through iGEM. Fun fact: I like to ride horses.
Seungjun Aiden Lee
SDG & Wiki Team Member
Hello My name is Aiden and I am a member of Wiki & Deliverables and SDG. I am becoming a Junior of BC Collegiate. I can say that I am one of the OG members in BCC. I joined iGEM to apply synthetic biology to real world problems and be part of a team that creates something. Also, doing something in a group with strangers seemed interesting and exciting since it seemed like a chance to make new friends and learn more about people. Cooperating with teammates is what excites me the most in the project. For the fun fact, I am very extroverted, so I like talking to people. My hobbies are going to the gym, working out, and boxing.
Seohyun Grace Hong
Human Practices & Experiments Team Member
Hello! I’m Seohyun Hong from the Human Practices and Experiment team. I’m currently a junior at Cornerstone Collegiate Academy of Seoul in South Korea. I’m studying for the SAT and taking several AP subjects, including AP Language, AP U.S. History, and AP Calculus. One of the main reasons I joined iGEM was my interest in biotechnology and the opportunity to participate in hands-on experiments. This experience was especially exciting for me because it allowed me to engage with AP Biology in a practical and real-world setting. It felt like a rare and valuable chance to explore my interests deeply. A fun fact about me is that I’m an ENTJ who loves socializing, working in teams, and helping others whenever I can.
Sijun Jun Shin
Human Practices & Experiments Team Member
Hello! My name is Sijun Shin, and I am a member of the Korea_HS team for iGEM 2025. I have participated in the Human Practices and Experiment teams. I am currently a student at the International School called SSI Busan, and I have a strong passion for both the sciences and the humanities, which I like to explore through learning and researching. In school, I took AP courses including Chemistry, Biology, U.S. History, Psychology, and Calculus, which I enjoy learning across disciplines to address real-world challenges. My interest in biotechnology and sustainability led me to join this year’s iGEM project on fruit peel biodegradation using engineered Lactobacillus reuteri. Through iGEM, I hope I could learn and contribute to advancing sustainable solutions while learning from my peers’ diverse perspectives.
Our Instructors
Hyein Hailey Park
Principal Investigator
Hello! My name is Hyein Park. I used to be responsible for managing the process with the students of the iGEM team in 2020, 2023 and 2024. For iGEM 2025, I am the primary principal investigator of the Korea-HS Team. As a primary PI, my major responsibilities are team management and project administration. Every week, I manage and coordinate each of the team members and the progress of project activities. Also, I document our team’s activities and manage all the files on Google Drive. I am so honored to participate as a supporter of the iGEM competition again this year, and I am looking forward to the presentation day!
Professor Woorin Lee, PhD
Primary Instructor
Hello! I am excited to introduce myself as the principal instructor for the Korea_HS team participating in iGEM 2025. This year, our project focuses on an innovative and environmentally relevant challenge: Fruit Peel Degradation Using Engineered Lactobacillus reuteri Expressing Polygalacturonase (PGXc). Having mentored Korea_HS for the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding our students through every phase of the iGEM journey—from ideation and genetic engineering to lab-based experimentation and scientific communication. My role is to support the team both scientifically and strategically, helping them navigate experimental design, biosafety, and the collaborative nature of synthetic biology. In this year’s project, we aim to tackle food waste by engineering the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri to express polygalacturonase, an enzyme capable of breaking down pectin-rich fruit peels. The project not only addresses sustainability but also opens doors to scalable, bio-based solutions for waste management. I am incredibly proud of the team’s passion, creativity, and scientific rigor. As we embark on this journey, I look forward to seeing Korea_HS continue to innovate, overcome challenges, and make a meaningful contribution to the iGEM community. Together, we will celebrate every step of the process—from hypothesis to human practices.
Seoyun Matthew Lee
Secondary Instructor
This is Seoyun (Matthew) Lee, fourth-year Secondary Instructor of Team Korea-HS, marking my fifth year with iGEM. My undergraduate education comprises a double-major in Molecular and Cell Biology (with emphasis on Molecular Therapeutics) and Economics at the University of California, Berkeley (go bears). I am affiliated with Vazquez-Medina Lab (Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley), where I study the role of Peroxiredoxin-6 in developing obesity and diabetes using novel transgenic mice models under Dr. Jose-Pablo Vazquez-Medina and Dr. Dianna Xing’s tutelage. Besides, I previously specialized in business strategy & research at NAVER Healthcare Lab; currently, I am at Bain & Company as its Associate Consultant Trainee.
Our Advisors
Yaejoon Jay Jung
Student Advisor
Hello, my name is Yaejoon Jung! I am currently a sophomore at Phillips Academy Andover and I am thrilled to be one of the student advisors of Korea-HS for iGEM 2025. As a student deeply passionate about biotechnology and synthetic biology, iGEM has given me an amazing opportunity to explore this field with great depth and breadth. In iGEM 2023, I led the Human Practices Team and was a member of the Experiments Team, where I had the chance to collaborate with diverse individuals and teams, and explore how emerging synthetic biotechnology could shape the world we live in today. Returning to Korea-HS as an advisor this year, I hope to not only ensure that everybody has the opportunity to engage in this incredible learning experience, but also to support the team for its continued success. A fun fact about me is that my favorite fruit is raspberries. Looking forward to this year’s amazing research!
Alyssa Han
Student Advisor
Hello everyone! I am Alyssa Han, the SDG advisor for this year's Korea-HS team. I am really interested in biology, neuroscience, and public health. By participating in last year’s iGEM, taking various roles in the team, and applying my knowledge of synthetic biology, I was able to have a wonderful experience and opportunity with real-life applications of science. With the leadership experience that I had in this team last year, I am very grateful and hope to advise this year’s Korea-HS leaders and members towards a successful result and achievements throughout the year! One fun fact about me is that I am left-handed :)
Ryan Oh
Student Advisor
Hi! My name is Ryan Oh, and I’m one of the advisors for Korea-HS 2025. I’m currently studying biology and chemistry, with a strong interest in how science can be applied to solve real-world problems. I first joined iGEM as part of the 2023 Korea-HS team, where I served as the Human Practices division leader. Through that experience, I was able to connect synthetic biology with field-based research and saw firsthand how our work could make a tangible impact. I'm really excited to support this year's team and help guide our project to success. Outside of science, I love playing volleyball and American football in my free time!
Chengmin Daniel Sun
Student Advisor
Hi! I’m Daniel Sun, a junior at Dulwich College Seoul. I joined iGEM last year as a researcher on the wet lab and modeling teams, focusing on detecting skin cancer metastasis. That experience deepened my passion for the intersection of molecular biology and AI, and strengthened my technical and collaborative skills. This year, I’m excited to return as an Advisor, where I’ll support the team by sharing insights from my iGEM journey and guiding experimental design, modeling workflows, and project strategy. I’m especially eager to help foster a curious, innovative environment. With a strong interest in biology and computational science, I believe synthetic biology has potential to tackle real-world challenges—and I’m thrilled to be part of that mission.