Nohhyeon Kwak, Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering, Seeking a Postdoctoral, Research Associate, Scientist, or National Lab Position in the U.S. Starting Fall 2026
NOHHYEON KWAK, University of Miami
Abstract Number: 416
Working Group: Meet the Job Seekers
Abstract
I am Nohhyeon Kwak, and I am actively seeking a postdoctoral, research associate, scientist, or national laboratory position in the U.S., beginning in Fall 2026, where I can apply my interdisciplinary expertise to advance impactful research.
As a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Miami, my work focuses on aerosol science, with a particular emphasis on the comprehensive characterization of airborne particles, including their physical, chemical, and biological properties.
My doctoral research explores the biological characteristics of bioaerosols, utilizing 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to identify bacterial communities, trace their environmental origins, and assess their potential health impacts. This includes evaluating the performance of various bioaerosol samplers and investigating emissions from decaying Sargassum, which revealed the aerosolization of marine microbes and potential pathogens. I have also examined how environmental factors, such as location and meteorological conditions like rainfall, influence the composition, concentration, and size-dependent dynamics of bioaerosols.
This specialization builds on a strong foundation in the physical and chemical analysis of particulate matter developed during my master’s research. I investigated the morphology of airborne fine particles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), classifying individual particles—including sea spray, organic-rich, sulfur-rich, dust, metals, and fly ash—based on their distinct morphological and elemental features. Additionally, I conducted simultaneous PM2.5 chemical composition measurements in Beijing, China, and Gwangju, South Korea, during winter haze periods to trace particle sources, assess aging processes, and understand the effects of long-range atmospheric transport.
Collectively, my academic training has equipped me with a robust skill set spanning physical (morphology, size distribution), chemical (elemental analysis, source apportionment), and biological (DNA-based microbial identification) aerosol characterization. I excel at integrating these dimensions to investigate aerosol sources, transformation, transport, and impact, and I am eager to contribute this interdisciplinary expertise to a collaborative, research-driven environment.