Students

Kayoung Kim

Master Student

I’m a second-year master’s student, studying how predators regulate ecosystem structure and functioning in coastal and estuarine environ-ments. My research primarily focuses on 1) the top-down control of bioturbators by waterbird predators and the cascading effects on seagrass resilience, and 2) the role of shorebird predation in modulating salt marsh restoration success and functional recoveries. I love birds and birdwatch-ing, and now I get to study the birds! How cool is that!

Youngwoo Seo

Master Student

I’m a first-year master student in MCE-Lab, studying the impacts of extreme bioturbation on the resilience and functioning of coastal vegetations. My current research focus on investigating the effects of burrowing shrimps on 1) seagrass performance and restoration, 2) carbon cycling and sequestration within seagrass beds, and 3) seagrass ecosystem recoveries following marine heatwaves.

Suhyeon Ahn

Undergraduate Researcher

I’m an undergraduate researcher interested in oyster restoration and foundation species ecology. My research focuses on: 1) community responses to experimental restoration of Pacific oyster reef, 2) facilitative interaction between seagrass and oyster reefs under intensified biotic and physical stress (bioturbation and sedimen-tation).

Kyungwon Kim

Undergraduate Researcher

I am an undergraduate researcher interested in the impacts of fisheries bycatch on marine benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functions, with a particular emphasis on the loss of rare species. I have a strong interest in identifying and cataloguing rare crab species, and I hope to contribute to future revisions of the checklist of Korean crabs.

Bokyung Kim

Undergraduate Researcher

I’m an undergraduate researcher interested in seagrass biogeochemical functions under increasing abiotic and biotic stress. Currently, I am investigating how macroalgal bloom (e.g., Ulva proliferation) influence carbon cycle and storage capacity of seagrass ecosystems, including plant decomposition and greenhouse gas efflux.

Min Heo

Undergraduate Researcher

I am an undergraduate researcher interested in how anthropogenically driven changes in biotic and abiotic processes affect ecosystem structure and function. Currently, I am conducting an experiment to examine how an invasive predators impact native foundation species in coastal ecosystems. I enjoy the ocean and water-based activities, and these interests led me to pursue marine science and biology.

Juwon Kim

Undergraduate Researcher

I am an undergraduate researcher interested in seagrass ecology with a particular focus on how habitat complexity relates to its nursery function. I love traveling, nature, and fish, and I enjoy exploring coastal areas, mountains, and rivers across Korea while collecting samples and documenting my experiences through photography.