Meet SUSMED Research Fellows.
Hanjun Kim
PhD candidate, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Hanjun’s focus area is developing intelligent prosthetic systems that enable individuals with lower limb amputation to make natural gaits across various community environments.
Hanjun received a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Korea Military Academy, Korea, and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, U.S.
As part of the SUSMED program, Hanjun is interested in developing pipielines to derive meaningful information from human biomechanics. He is focusing on developing biomimetic systems for lower limb prostheses which will replicate behaviors of healthy human. His research goal is to link general human behaviors to control parameters in various tasks.
Hanjun received a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Korea Military Academy, Korea, and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, U.S.
As part of the SUSMED program, Hanjun is interested in developing pipielines to derive meaningful information from human biomechanics. He is focusing on developing biomimetic systems for lower limb prostheses which will replicate behaviors of healthy human. His research goal is to link general human behaviors to control parameters in various tasks.
Deemo Yu
PhD candidate, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Xiaoqing’s focus area is developing a multi-sensing paper-based biosensor using sustainable and renewable materials to improve health and food safety.
Xiaoqing received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
As part of the SUSMED program, she is interested in developing sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to plastic-based smart devices by functionalizing papers. She aims to investigate and develop a smart paper-based device through scalable coating processes. She seeks novel solutions by utilizing the inherent properties of paper and improving material adaptations to enhance its functionalization.
Xiaoqing received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
As part of the SUSMED program, she is interested in developing sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to plastic-based smart devices by functionalizing papers. She aims to investigate and develop a smart paper-based device through scalable coating processes. She seeks novel solutions by utilizing the inherent properties of paper and improving material adaptations to enhance its functionalization.
Jing Xie
MS candidate, Industrial Design, College of Design
Jing’s focus area is exploring sustainable material systems and 3D printing techniques to create novel interactive experiences, with a focus on soap as a new biodegradable material to promote sustainable digital fabrication.
Jing received a Bachelor of Arts and Design from Guangdong University of Technology.
As part of the SUSMED program, Jing is interested in reimagining how everyday biodegradable materials can be adapted for sustainable digital fabrication. Her current research explores soap as a novel 3D printing material to promote environmentally responsible design and fabrication practices. Through this work, she aims to expand the possibilities for sustainable materials in interactive and human-centered applications.
Jing received a Bachelor of Arts and Design from Guangdong University of Technology.
As part of the SUSMED program, Jing is interested in reimagining how everyday biodegradable materials can be adapted for sustainable digital fabrication. Her current research explores soap as a novel 3D printing material to promote environmentally responsible design and fabrication practices. Through this work, she aims to expand the possibilities for sustainable materials in interactive and human-centered applications.
Julia Ding
PhD, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
As an MD/PhD student with an interest in minimally invasive procedures, Julia’s focus area is leveraging technological innovation to increase accessibility of treatment options and improve patient outcomes.
She received a B.S. as a double major in Physics and MCDB (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology) from Yale University. She then worked as a postgraduate researcher studying the neural underpinnings of epilepsy before entering the MD/PhD program at Emory and Georgia Tech.
As part of the SUSMED program, Julia is interested in exploring how smart medical devices can be developed sustainably, from their initial design to their implementation and usage within healthcare. Her current project focuses on how microsensors can be used to improve drug delivery. She is passionate about smart devices that can improve patient survival and healing times to cut down on resource-intensive hospital stays and procedures.
She received a B.S. as a double major in Physics and MCDB (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology) from Yale University. She then worked as a postgraduate researcher studying the neural underpinnings of epilepsy before entering the MD/PhD program at Emory and Georgia Tech.
As part of the SUSMED program, Julia is interested in exploring how smart medical devices can be developed sustainably, from their initial design to their implementation and usage within healthcare. Her current project focuses on how microsensors can be used to improve drug delivery. She is passionate about smart devices that can improve patient survival and healing times to cut down on resource-intensive hospital stays and procedures.
Connor Pan
PhD candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Connor’s research focuses on developing wireless sensing devices as part of an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to environmental and personal health monitoring.
Connor received a B.S. and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University.
As part of the SUSMED program, Connor is interested in developing sensors for implantable “living pharmacy” bioelectronic devices to help reduce the power consumption of the device. He is currently investigating optical approaches to in vivo oxygen sensing, using a custom-designed sensor platform.
Connor received a B.S. and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University.
As part of the SUSMED program, Connor is interested in developing sensors for implantable “living pharmacy” bioelectronic devices to help reduce the power consumption of the device. He is currently investigating optical approaches to in vivo oxygen sensing, using a custom-designed sensor platform.
David Chong
MS candidate, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
David’s focus area is developing microneedle EEG sensors for the purpose of rehabilitation in BCI.
David received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and a minor in Electrical Engineering.
As part of the SUSMED program, David is interested microneedle EEG can reshape the future of BCI for real-world applications. While maintaining a low-profile form factor, he is determined to design a sensor system applicable to everyday usage as it relates to soft robotics and rehabilitation. His design aims to incorporate sustainable techniques for repeatable fabrication and longterm use.
David received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and a minor in Electrical Engineering.
As part of the SUSMED program, David is interested microneedle EEG can reshape the future of BCI for real-world applications. While maintaining a low-profile form factor, he is determined to design a sensor system applicable to everyday usage as it relates to soft robotics and rehabilitation. His design aims to incorporate sustainable techniques for repeatable fabrication and longterm use.
Gao Yingting
PhD candidate, Interactive Computing, College of Computing
Yingting’s focus area is the co-design of sustainable materials, leveraging material agency to enhance dialogue between materials and humans, and fostering more-than-human practices and reflections.
Yingting received a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from Central South University in China, and an M.A. in Information Art and Design from Tsinghua University, China.
As part of the SUSMED program, she explores how to activate the agency of natural materials—specifically, loofah—by iterating prototypes that leverage its porous structure, water-absorption expansion, and rich tactile qualities. By embedding natural indicators such as red cabbage powder, tea polyphenols, thermochromic powder, and UV-responsive pigments, she enables loofah to directly respond to environmental changes. Through these dynamic shifts in color and texture, information is conveyed to the senses, facilitating material-mediated, nonverbal dialogue.
Yingting received a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from Central South University in China, and an M.A. in Information Art and Design from Tsinghua University, China.
As part of the SUSMED program, she explores how to activate the agency of natural materials—specifically, loofah—by iterating prototypes that leverage its porous structure, water-absorption expansion, and rich tactile qualities. By embedding natural indicators such as red cabbage powder, tea polyphenols, thermochromic powder, and UV-responsive pigments, she enables loofah to directly respond to environmental changes. Through these dynamic shifts in color and texture, information is conveyed to the senses, facilitating material-mediated, nonverbal dialogue.
Dahee Sophie Kim
MS/PhD candidate, Industrial Design, College of Design
Dahee’s focus area is designing and developing accessible and multimodal health communication systems to support clinicians by exploring tactile interfaces and conversational agents.
She holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Design from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has worked as a dental assistant at a pro-bono dental office and as an innovation design and research intern at Porsche, Samsung, GTRI, and Delta Air Lines.
As part of the SUSMED program, Dahee is interested in the sustainable design and development of smart medical devices through participatory design. Her current project focuses on the ethical creation and deployment of emerging technologies through a human-centered, socio-technical lens. She is currently exploring ways to better understand clinical systems and workflows from the ophthalmologist’s perspective—applying evidence-based, human-centered design to improve patient experience, particularly for blind or low vision patients.
She holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Design from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has worked as a dental assistant at a pro-bono dental office and as an innovation design and research intern at Porsche, Samsung, GTRI, and Delta Air Lines.
As part of the SUSMED program, Dahee is interested in the sustainable design and development of smart medical devices through participatory design. Her current project focuses on the ethical creation and deployment of emerging technologies through a human-centered, socio-technical lens. She is currently exploring ways to better understand clinical systems and workflows from the ophthalmologist’s perspective—applying evidence-based, human-centered design to improve patient experience, particularly for blind or low vision patients.