Minjae KIM, Ph.D. (김민재)
Senior Researcher (Team leader)
Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST)
Assistant Professor, University of Science and Technology (UST-KIOST school)
email: sciencekor89@kiost.ac.kr
Google Scholar / Research Gate
Professional Experience
2024-Present Senior Researcher, KIOST, Korea
2025-Present Assistant Professor, UST-KIOST school, Korea
2021-2024 Postdoctoral Fellow, BIAM-CEA Cadarache, France
2020-2021 Postdoctoral Fellow, Hanyang University, Korea
2019 Visiting Researcher, University of Verona, Italy
2014 Visiting Researcher, Muroran Marine Station-Hokkaido University, Japan
Education
2020 Ph.D. Life Science, Hanyang University, Korea
2014 B.S. Molecular & Life Science, Hanyang University, Korea
During my Ph.D. at Hanyang University, my research focused on understanding carotenoid biosynthesis in halophilic microalga Dunaliella species and developing algal strains for industrial applications (advisor: Dr. EonSeon Jin). Pursuing my passion for understanding the regulation of cell metabolism in microalgae, I completed my postdoctoral research in the EBMP team (advisor: Dr. Yonghua Li-Beisson) at the CEA Cadarache, France, where I worked on the DYRKP kinase (Plant-specific dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases) in the model green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In May 2024, I was hired as a senior researcher at KIOST. I’m interested in understanding the regulatory mechanism of cell metabolism in microalgae using synthetic and molecular biology and multi-OMICS approaches. If I am not in the lab, I usually hang out with my wife and daughter.
Ji Won JEON, M.S. (전지원)
Post-master’s research fellow
KIOST
email: jjw33@kiost.ac.kr
Professional Experience
2022-2023 Researcher, National Institute of Fisheries Science (Incheon), Korea
2008-2015 Researcher, National Institute of Fisheries Science (Busan), Korea
Education
2025 M.S. Ocean Science, UST, Korea
2008 B.S. Microbiology, Pukyong National University, Korea
After receiving my bachelor’s degree from Pukyong University, I worked as a researcher at the National Institute of Fisheries Science in charge of marine environment (management) analysis and aquatic product sanitation survey. Based on this practical experience, I became interested in fish diseases. In the Kim lab, we are researching to develop a strategy to control/eliminate Miamiensis avidus (scuticocilliates), which causes a deadly fish disease, using toxic dinoflagellates. After completing my master’s degree, I’m working in the Kim Lab as a post-master’s research fellow.
Yong Hwan AHN, B.S. (안용환)
Leave of absence (Military service, 2025.12. – 2027.08)
Master’s course student (Supervisor: Dr. Minjae Kim)
UST-KIOST school (Major: Marine Technology and Convergence Engineering)
email: ahnyh@kiost.ac.kr
Education
2022 B.S. Chemistry (Major) & Biotechnology (Minor), The Catholic University of Korea, Korea
My experience in the aquarium as a child amplified my interest in marine biology. Based on the knowledge I gained through my double major in chemistry and biotechnology during my undergraduate studies, here in the Kim Lab, I’m aiming to conduct various studies related to microalgae metabolism in addition to research on increasing toxin production in microalgae.
Jaehyun KWON, B.S. (권재현)
Master’s course student (Supervisor: Dr. Minjae Kim)
UST-KIOST school (Major: Marine Technology and Convergence Engineering)
email: jh0803@kiost.ac.kr
Education
2026 B.S. Marine Biomaterials, Pukyong National University, Korea
During my internship in the Microalgae Biology Laboratory at Pukyong National University, I became interested not only in culturing microalgae and studying their ecology, but also in exploring ways to extract valuable compounds from them for human benefit. With this motivation, I am now studying in the APBL program. My goal is to enhance the production of useful metabolites through genetic and metabolic engineering approaches. Since microalgae have an excellent ability to fix carbon, my long-term objective is to integrate these technologies and ultimately contribute to carbon-neutral solutions.
