About Me

I am a dedicated biologist specializing in marine science, currently working as a Postdoctoral Associate in the department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the guidance of Dr. Chris Cheng. My research focuses on marine genomics, environmental DNA, and the evolution of Antarctic fish using bioinformatics.

I believe in lifelong learning, both inside and outside the lab. To stay energized, I love biking (a favorite routine from my days in Seoul), hitting the gym, and I have recently taken up tennis. I love traveling and learning new cultures too. I also enjoy spending time with my friends or unwinding with my Nintendo Switch.

One value that I place great importance on is maintaining a positive mindset and trusting in myself. I believe in steadfastly pursuing my own journey rather than comparing my progress to others.

Photos taken during my travels. Image Copyright © JK

Education and Professional Experience

* Professional Experience

* Education

Teaching and Mentoring Experience

Presentations

Presentation titles and abbreviations are listed in my CV

Professional Development and Awards

Professional Service

Publication (2026-2023)

Click on a title to view the paper (** See my CV for a complete list of publications)

* First Author

• 1. Chromosomal genome assemblies of Antarctic Notothenia coriiceps and temperate relative Paranotothenia angustata 2026 York, J. M., Bhat, S., Kim, J., Cárdenas, L., Cheng, C. H. C. Under Review, BioRxiv
• 2. In silico structural analysis and biochemical characterization of a novel PETase from Antarctic Streptomyces sp. 2025 Kim, J., Kim, J.*, Cho, M., Choi, S., Park, H. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
• 3. Genome survey and microsatellite marker development in the Antarctic Eaton’s skate, Bathyraja eatonii (Rajiformes, Arhynchobatidae) 2025 Kim, J.*, Kim, J., Choi, S., Cho, M., Choi, E., Lee, S.J., Kim, J.H., Park, H. Regional Studies in Marine Science
• 4. Genome-wide identification of Tegillarca granosa ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family related to arsenic toxicity 2025 Kim, J.*, Kim, H.J., Choi, E., Park, J.J., Cho, M., Choi, S., Kim, H., Lee, J.S., Park, H. Genomics
• 5. Chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of the Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides 2024 Lee, S.J., Cho, M., Kim, J., Choi, E., Choi, S., Chung, S., Lee, J., Kim, J.H., Park, H. Scientific Data
• 6. High-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of female Artemia franciscana reveals sex chromosome and Hox gene organization 2024 Jo, E., Cho, M., Choi, S., Lee, S.J., Choi, E., Kim, J., Kim, J.Y., Kwon, S., Lee, J.H., Park, H. Heliyon
• 7. Expansion of the HSP70 gene family in Tegillarca granosa and expression profiles in response to zinc toxicity 2024 Kim, J.*, Kim, H.J., Choi, E., Cho, M., Choi, S., Jeon, M.A., Lee, J.S., Park, H. Cell Stress and Chaperones
• 8. An Antarctic lichen isolate (Cladonia borealis) genome reveals potential adaptation to extreme environments 2024 Cho, M., Lee, S.J., Choi, E., Kim, J., Choi, S., Lee, J.H., Park, H. Scientific Reports
• 9. Chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of the Antarctica whitefin plunderfish Pogonophryne albipinna 2023 Jo, E., Choi, S., Lee, S.J., Kim, J., Chung, S., Lee, J., Kim, J.H., Park, H. Scientific Data
• 10. Application of Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Marine Biodiversity Analysis 2023 Choi, S., Lee, S.J., Choi, E., Jo, E.,Kim, J., Cho, M., Kim, J., Kwon, S. Park, H. Journal of Marine Life Science
• 11. Chromosome-level genome assembly of Patagonian moray cod (Muraenolepis orangiensis) and immune deficiency of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II 2023 Kim, J.*, Lee, S.J., Jo, E., Choi, E., Cho, M., Choi, S., Kim, J.H., Park, H. Frontiers in Marine Science
• 12. Metagenomic Analysis of Antarctic Penguins Gut Microbial Dynamics by using Fecal DNA of Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Emperor (Aptenodytes forsteri) Penguins in Ross Sea, Antarctica 2023 Choi, S., Lee, S.J., Cho, M., Choi, E., Kim, J., Kim, J.H., Kim, H.W., Park, H. Journal of Marine Life Science

Curriculum Vitae

You can download my full CV below