All IBP Graduate Students


Ph.D. Candidate
Characterizing the role of immune cells in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Ph.D. Candidate
Understanding cytokine mediated renal afferent nerve activity in hypertension.


Graduate Student (MD/PhD)
Developing experimental surgical interventions and devices to treat hypertension and other cardiometabolic diseases in a DOCA salt sheep model of hypertension.
I decided to pursue a PhD because I enjoyed the ever evolving challenge of research and exploration. I had a wonderful experience in my undergraduate immunology laboratory, but I was always fascinated with the beautiful anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Going into the application cycle, I knew that I wanted to pursue a program that had a wide breadth of cardiovascular research opportunities and a supportive and inclusive academic environment. Only after I visited Minnesota did I fall in love with the amazing parks, bike trails, restaurants, climbing gyms, beautiful lakes, and most importantly, the wonderfully kind people in the community! I'm happy to be a part of John Osborn's laboratory, where we test surgical devices and procedures centered around neuromodulation to combat high blood pressure in the DOCA-salt sheep model of hypertension.


Ph.D. Candidate
Investigating the interplay between O-GlcNAc and mTORC1 signaling in modulating autophagy-driven pancreatic beta cell function
After graduating with B.S. in Biochemistry from University of Minnesota, I wanted to explore and further hone my skills in biomedical research, where I had found a home in Dr. Alejandro's lab in IBP department. Here, I became fascinated by the complexity of physiology at systemic level and was enamored by the lab's expertise and ability to study the molecular metabolism and signaling in pancreatic beta cells and their subsequent effects in whole-body glucose metabolism. This experience inspired me to further pursue PhD degree in physiology and investigate important biological signalings that affect the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.




Ph.D. Candidate
Defining the sites of action and function of TLQP-21 on its receptor, C3aR1, within the central nervous system and its contribution to metabolic regulation.
I graduated with a B.S in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. I was expecting to study strictly neuroscience at the time, being somewhat naïve to what neuroscience is truly all about. That was until I started working in Dr. Catherine Kotz’s lab, in which I was studying neuroscience but in the context of physiology. This exposure gave birth to a passion that I didn’t know that I had, that being the role of the brain in regulating our metabolic physiology. Moreso specifically, looking at how aging and neurodegenerative diseases take a huge toll on our physiology as a whole. Perhaps I started off with a very narrow vision on what I wanted to study, but my time working in an IBP lab really inspired me to continue with my studies by pursuing a PhD in Physiology.

Ph.D. Candidate
Investigating the role of resident cardiac macrophages in steady state and pathophysiology




Ph.D. Candidate
Characterizing roles of MICU 1, a component of the MCU complex in the heart.
I received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biomedical Science at Korea University. When I was in Korea, I was experienced in the field of molecular diagnostics, cardiac electrophysiology, and clinical chemistry. At that moment, I have seen that Ca2 handling in the cardiomyocyte is closely related to metabolism. Thus, I was always curious about mitochondria’s role in the heart. Finally, I am exploring mitochondrial roles in cardiac physiology in Julia Liu lab within the IBP department.

Ph.D. Candidate
Identification of genes mediating cardiomyocyte cell-cycle arrest.

Ph.D. Candidate
Identification of the role of omega-3 fatty acid's receptor FFAR4 in terms
of cardiac dysfunction and metabolic dysfunction in HFD-induced obese mice.
Year 1



Year 2

Graduate Student (MD/PhD)
Developing experimental surgical interventions and devices to treat hypertension and other cardiometabolic diseases in a DOCA salt sheep model of hypertension.
I decided to pursue a PhD because I enjoyed the ever evolving challenge of research and exploration. I had a wonderful experience in my undergraduate immunology laboratory, but I was always fascinated with the beautiful anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Going into the application cycle, I knew that I wanted to pursue a program that had a wide breadth of cardiovascular research opportunities and a supportive and inclusive academic environment. Only after I visited Minnesota did I fall in love with the amazing parks, bike trails, restaurants, climbing gyms, beautiful lakes, and most importantly, the wonderfully kind people in the community! I'm happy to be a part of John Osborn's laboratory, where we test surgical devices and procedures centered around neuromodulation to combat high blood pressure in the DOCA-salt sheep model of hypertension.



Year 3

Ph.D. Candidate
Characterizing the role of immune cells in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.


Ph.D. Candidate
Investigating the role of resident cardiac macrophages in steady state and pathophysiology

Ph.D. Candidate
Defining the sites of action and function of TLQP-21 on its receptor, C3aR1, within the central nervous system and its contribution to metabolic regulation.
I graduated with a B.S in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. I was expecting to study strictly neuroscience at the time, being somewhat naïve to what neuroscience is truly all about. That was until I started working in Dr. Catherine Kotz’s lab, in which I was studying neuroscience but in the context of physiology. This exposure gave birth to a passion that I didn’t know that I had, that being the role of the brain in regulating our metabolic physiology. Moreso specifically, looking at how aging and neurodegenerative diseases take a huge toll on our physiology as a whole. Perhaps I started off with a very narrow vision on what I wanted to study, but my time working in an IBP lab really inspired me to continue with my studies by pursuing a PhD in Physiology.

Ph.D. Candidate
Investigating the interplay between O-GlcNAc and mTORC1 signaling in modulating autophagy-driven pancreatic beta cell function
After graduating with B.S. in Biochemistry from University of Minnesota, I wanted to explore and further hone my skills in biomedical research, where I had found a home in Dr. Alejandro's lab in IBP department. Here, I became fascinated by the complexity of physiology at systemic level and was enamored by the lab's expertise and ability to study the molecular metabolism and signaling in pancreatic beta cells and their subsequent effects in whole-body glucose metabolism. This experience inspired me to further pursue PhD degree in physiology and investigate important biological signalings that affect the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Year 4

Ph.D. Candidate
Characterizing roles of MICU 1, a component of the MCU complex in the heart.
I received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biomedical Science at Korea University. When I was in Korea, I was experienced in the field of molecular diagnostics, cardiac electrophysiology, and clinical chemistry. At that moment, I have seen that Ca2 handling in the cardiomyocyte is closely related to metabolism. Thus, I was always curious about mitochondria’s role in the heart. Finally, I am exploring mitochondrial roles in cardiac physiology in Julia Liu lab within the IBP department.

Ph.D. Candidate
Activation of Ffar4 signaling mechanisms in response to endogenous fatty acids.
Year 5

Ph.D. Candidate
Understanding cytokine mediated renal afferent nerve activity in hypertension.


Ph.D. Candidate
Identification of genes mediating cardiomyocyte cell-cycle arrest.
Year 5+

Ph.D. Candidate
Identification of the role of omega-3 fatty acid's receptor FFAR4 in terms
of cardiac dysfunction and metabolic dysfunction in HFD-induced obese mice.