Resume

Profile

A seasoned qualitative researcher, I deliver human-centered, data-driven analysis to guide organizations towards their strategic objectives. The bicultural son of immigrants with over 10 years of research experience in diverse fields (academic, non-profit, and corporate) & regions (Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S.), I translate complex problems into clear and actionable solutions.

Skills

Expertise in cultural anthropology, ethnographic, and qualitative UX methods. Uses rigorous data analysis to ensure high-impact results for companies and customers. Adept at research design, leadership, and collaboration to strategically connect distinct user needs with business objectives. Confident with effectively communicating evidence-based results and impacts to diverse social and cultural audiences.

• Ethnography and participant Observation • Research Design • Mixed methods • User Research • Recruiting • Persona Creation • Contextual Inquiries • Interviews • Usability Studies • Survey Creation, Design, and Analysis • Focus Groups • Data Analysis • Literature Reviews •User Experience Design • Data Visualization • Leadership • Project Management • Public Speaking • International Research & Cross-Comparative Research

Work Experience

Independent UX Research Consultant, LukyLab, Prague, Czech Republic / Los Angeles, California, USA (remote)                       

August 2024-Present

• Worked closely with the company’s startup founder & CEO through stakeholder conversations and collaborative data reports to enhance the value proposition and marketing of a relationships manager iOS mobile app, Kindest.

• Designed and executed independent UX research for a 3-month plan, including user interviews, contextual inquiries, survey development, and usability testing among 10 app users.

Research Affiliate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Seoul, South Korea/ Los Angeles, California, USA (remote)                       

August 2022-Present

• Research results from data accepted by a top ten academic journal for future publication (2025).

• Designed and conducted international field studies (e.g., participant user recruitment, interviews and surveys, and data analysis) with 50+ users across 5 countries in Asia and Europe.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA

August 2021-July 2022                 

• Increased enrollment by 35% via UX research and iterative design to maximize student user learning.

• Planned and implemented user learning experiences during 4 semesters for 125+ users, covering anthropological foundations: ethnographic methods, field research, and qualitative data analysis.

• Mentored 60+ users to present unique final research projects aimed at facilitating greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA

August 2018-July 2021

• Raised university profile through 20+ public presentations and 2 peer-reviewed journal publications after performing cross-cultural, bilingual research across 4 countries among 30+ international users.

• Spearheaded a joint, year-long research project (including recruitment, focus groups, and interviews of 50+ users in Houston), culminating in a peer-reviewed journal publication.

• Designed and executed a $1,000 grant-funded, user-led, YouTube live stream presentation viewed online by 220+ audience members by forging partnerships with local community and non-profit groups.

Media Strategist, City & Society academic journal (remote)

August 2017-February 2021                                               

• Expanded official website's online traffic by 100% over 4 years via iterative web design every publication cycle in consultation with editorial staff and journal readership.

• Created and managed prestigious academic journal's online presence (official website and social media platforms) through close cooperation with editorial team and related stakeholders.

Ethnographic Researcher, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, U.S.

May 2011-May 2018                                                                                   

• Enhanced university brand value by securing $40,000 in grant value and publishing 3 peer-reviewed articles.

• Managed long-term international field studies (e.g., ethnography, personas, and contextual interviews) of 150+ participants across 6 Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

• Gathered, measured, and analyzed 100+ archival documents in English, Korean, and Arabic from 4+ institutions across 3 countries.

• Collaborated with various stakeholders by facilitating 20 evaluative workshops and participating in 20+ national and international conferences over 7 years.

Contributing Reporter, Inter Press Service News Agency, Seoul, South Korea

January 2007-January 2008                                                                                   

• Conducted independent reporting on local stories related to economics, society, and security in the Asia-Pacific region, generating 5 published newspaper articles.

• Collaborated with editorial staff to pitch and pursue relevant stories to promote the news agency's image.

Contributing Reporter, The Korea Times, Seoul, South Korea

May 2006-January 2008                                                                                   

• Wrote 10 published newspaper articles centering on contemporary lifestyle experiences and attitudes for South Korea's leading English-language newspaper.

• Consulted regularly with editorial staff to propose and pursue innovative pieces to help the newspaper outperform its competitors.

Researcher | Project Manager, Asian Regional Exchange for New Alternatives NGO, Seoul, South Korea

January 2006-June 2009                                                                                   

• Obtained $2,000 in German NGO grant funding to host a pioneering Seoul-based international conference spotlighting speakers from 5 countries in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

• Boosted public interest in the NGO’s profile by designing captivating conference content and visuals in partnership with 4 other researchers/project managers.

CERTIFICATIONS

• UX Research for Agile Teams, LinkedIn (May 2024)

• Foundations of UX Design, Google (May 2024)

• IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate, IBM (Aug 2024)

• Introduction to Generative AI, Google (June 2024)

• Stanford University Code in Place, Python (June 2024)

AWARDS

• $1,000-Rice University Center for Engaged Research and Learning Course Development Grant (2020)

• $15,000-U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship in Arabic (2013)    

• $1,000-University of Illinois Anthropology Department Joseph Casagrande Research Award (2012)

• $1,000-University of Illinois Anthropology Department Summer Research Award (2012)

• $5,000-Social Science Research Council and MIGRINTER (France) Dissertation Research Grant (2012)

• $15,000-U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship in Korean (2011)    

• $2,500-U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language Area Studies Summer Fellowship in Korean (2011)

EDUCATION

PhD, Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

BA, Ethnic Studies, University of California, San Diego

LANGUAGES

English: Native Speaker

Korean: General Professional Proficiency, Plus (Yonsei University Korean Language Institute - Level 5 out of 6)

Spanish: Elementary Proficiency