THE BIOCHEMISTRY RESERVE
Natalie Jion Myung Suh Choi, Project Founder
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BS, Biology | Minor, Psychology
Upstate Medical Accelerated Scholar, BS/MD
Coronat Scholar
Renée Crown Honors Program
Syracuse University
Upstate Medical University
Welcome,
My name is Natalie Jion Myung Suh Choi.
Thank you for viewing my work!
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I am currently a third-year Biology Student at Syracuse University and an Upstate Accelerated BS/MD Scholar at Upstate Medical University.
Here you will find a summary of my Biomedical Research Endeavors.
Research and Clinical Internship Experiences
Research Assistant, Wilmore Lab at Upstate Medical University
OCTOBER 2024 - PRESENT
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Ongoing Immunology Research on Targeting Stress-Responsive Pathways in IgA+ Plasma Cells
Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
Monitored project timelines, ensuring timely completion of tasks while maintaining high-quality output.
Conducted literature reviews to support hypothesis development and identify gaps in existing knowledge.
Managed laboratory equipment and resources, ensuring proper maintenance and optimal functionality.
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Research Lead, Watson Lab at Syracuse University
FALL 2025 - PRESENT
Proposed and led an independent, publication-oriented research project within a highly autonomous, inquiry-driven lab structure.
Developed an interdisciplinary research angle bridging biology and physics, focusing on spaceflight microbiology and antimicrobial resistance trajectories.
Delivered a seminar-style presentation synthesizing biological mechanisms and quantitative framing for an interdisciplinary audience.
Served as the primary biology resource in a physics/engineering-heavy lab, contributing biological research angles to discussions.
Co-authored an anthology synthesizing undergraduate astrobiology investigations.
https://zenodo.org/records/18175992
Clinical Intern, Kyung Hee Dental Healthcare Center (KHDHC)
MAY 2025 - AUGUST 2025
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Observed physician-patient interaction and care
Enhanced patient understanding and compliance with treatment plans through clear,
empathetic communication and education on health conditions.
Assisted with the development of individualized care plans for optimal patient recovery.
Upheld infection control and prevention policies across different patient-facing areas.
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Reserach Intern, Nam Lab at Kyung Hee University Medical Center
MAY 2025 - AUGUST 2025
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Completed cell research on Effects of hydrophilic chitosan addition on the surface, mechanical and biological characteristics of 3D-printed resins
Compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
Collaborated with team members for successful completion of research projects on time and within budget.
Assisted in development of research proposals, contributing to acquisition of grant funding.
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Clinical Research Intern, Vanderbilt University
2021-2022
Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Work: Investigating When Pancreatic Physiology Goes Wrong
Presented an independent project exploring the application of Machine Learning Algorithms in a systemic review of the effectiveness of various Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems in treating Pancreatic Cancer.
Under the mentorship of:
Dr. Tiffany Richardson, Ph.D.
tiffany.m.richardson@vanderbilt.edu
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Clinical Research Intern, UC Irvine School of Medicine 2020-2021
Completed a series of Research training, including Code of Conduct for human trials, evidence-based medicine fundamentals, and medical literature analytical practices.
Under the mentorship of:
Dr. Behnoosh Afghani, M.D.
Published abstract to The Journal of Investigative Medicine, second author
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A. Bilg, M. Choi, S. Tewari, B. Chan, S. Anis, J. Luu, B. Afghani. Comparison Of Procalcitonin And C-Reactive Protein (Crp) In Neonatal Bacterial Sepsis
Accepted for Publication, Journal of Investigative Medicine, January 2020.
PiPact Project, MIT Lincoln Laboratory 2020
Acquired skills in Git, Github, Numpy, and Geopandas via project-based, workshop-style courses regarding remote sensing for natural disaster relief
Under the mentorship of:
Dr. Jeff Liu, Ph.D.
Utilized a Raspberry Pi-based Bluetooth signal collection platform, collected data for the design team, and developed processing algorithms tuned to perform more accurate proximity detection.
Assisted in developing the 2020 BWSI PiPACT Project: a research trial exploring Bluetooth applications in proximity detection for COVID-19 Contact Tracing.
Clinical Research Intern, Stanford Anesthesia Informatics and Media (AIM) Lab 2019-2020
Clinical Research Intern
Engaged in various lectures and talks from Stanford faculty working on cutting-edge Anesthesia research and clinical care.
Presented a capstone project proposing "How stress and anxiety fuel your insomnia throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic."
Conducted and presented independent research exploring the effectiveness of various pytochemicals as Bacterial Quorum Sensing Inhibitors.
Under the mentorship of:
Dr. Larry Chu, M.D.
Awards and Accolades
A&S Coronat Scholar Full Ride Scholarship ($ 32,000 per semester)
Success Scholar GPA Scholarship ($ 500 per semester)
Deans list for four semesters
Renée Crown Honors College Peer Leader
Coronat Program Mentor
Honors Living Learning Community Residential Advisor
Two Time Cupertino Mayor Proclamation Award for Scientists Winner (2020, 2021)
Two Time Regional Finalist in At-Large BioGENEius Challenge (2020, 2021); 3rd Place in State Level and won $100 Cash Prize.
Finalist, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Competition 2020
2nd Place in Medical Engineering Category, Special Award: IBM Award $300 Cash Prize (2019 Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship)
3rd Place in Biological Science and Engineering Category (2020 Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship)
Regional Finalist & Research Award, National History Day Competition 2020
Semi-Finalist (2019 Girl's-in-STEM Technovation Challenge)
1st Place & Research Award. 50th Year Santa Clara Valley Model United Nations 2019
Two Time Pitch Award, Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Award 2020, 2021