Sang Hyun Lee is a assistant professor of microbiology, and a member of the Models to Medicine Center in IALS
IALS: Hi Sang, thank you for speaking with us today. We have a few questions for you so everyone on campus can get to know you better. How long have you been at UMass Amherst?
SHL: I started in Fall 2024 so It's only been one semester. I have yet to experience the spring here.
IALS: Where did you grow up?
SHL: I was born in Seongnam, South Korea, and throughout my career, I have traveled back and forth between the US and Korea. My family moved to Florida during my middle school years, and where I completed my undergraduate studies. Later, feeling homesick, we returned to Korea, where I earned my PhD. After graduation, I returned to the US for postdoctoral research studying microbe-fluid interactions using microfluidics at the University of Minnesota.
IALS: Does the love of science run in your family?
SHL: Not really. Although my dad worked as an electrical technician for a major company in South Korea, he wasn’t particularly into science. However, I enjoyed playing with his tools and creating random things when I was young. I think that experience helped me discover the joy of being creative and learning new things.
IALS: How long have you been teaching?
SHL: During my PhD and postdoctoral training, I occasionally gave lectures. While I have not yet taught a course at UMass, I am scheduled to begin teaching in Fall 2025.
IALS: What is more stressful, grant proposals, research, or teaching?
SHL: I would say grant proposals. They require me to take a broader perspective, plan on a longer time scale, and articulate a clear logic and need, which can be quite challenging.
IALS: Assuming your research is widely successful, how will it impact society?
SHL: I hope it will contribute to harnessing or controlling biofilms in wide areas.
IALS: Who do you admire and why?
SHL: I don’t have a specific person in mind, but I deeply admire those who show resilience and passion in pursuing what they love.
IALS: What are your interests when you are not a scientist?
SHL: I have a variety of interests, but a few of my favorites are playing tennis, cooking, and playing video games.
IALS: Thank you so much Sang!