Q1. Hello Dr. Park. Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Hello. My name is Sejin Park, and I completed both my master’s and Ph.D. degrees in the Data Mining and Computational Biology Lab under Professor Hyunju Lee at GIST, graduating in February 2026.

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Q2. Could you tell us about the main research topics you focused on during your Ph.D.?

I primarily focused on representation learning. In the field of biology, data is often difficult for humans to interpret intuitively, so extracting meaningful features and representations is critically important.

For example, in drug discovery, AI can efficiently explore and predict across an enormous number of possibilities, significantly enhancing both speed and accuracy. This makes the field highly valuable from a technological perspective.

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Q3. Was there a particularly rewarding or memorable experience during your research?

Research itself feels like part of my daily routine, so it’s hard to single out a specific moment. However, improving the lab environment remains one of the most memorable experiences.

At the time, server management in our lab was somewhat inefficient. I proposed improvements and helped reorganize the system, ultimately establishing a more structured and efficient server environment. Seeing my colleagues and junior lab members use the improved system with satisfaction was deeply rewarding.

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Q4. How did you manage stress during your Ph.D. program?

Exercise played a major role in relieving stress. GIST provides excellent sports facilities and a highly supportive environment for physical activities.

Research can be mentally and physically demanding, and sustained focus requires stamina. I strongly recommend that graduate students consistently make use of the campus infrastructure to stay active.

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Q5. Was there a particular reason you chose GIST for graduate school?

There were two main factors: practical considerations and research environment.

While I was completing my undergraduate studies in Seoul, I came across promotional materials about GIST. The full tuition support and monthly research stipend alleviated my financial concerns.

Additionally, there was a specialized research lab in bio-related fields that aligned with my interests. The opportunity to immerse myself entirely in research was extremely appealing.

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Q6. How would you describe your actual experience in graduate school at GIST?

During my undergraduate years, I had to balance part-time jobs and tutoring to cover tuition and living expenses. At GIST, however, I was able to focus solely on research, which was highly satisfying.

That said, after earning my Ph.D., I realized that it is not an endpoint but rather a new beginning. For those aiming for academic appointments, there is often significant pressure to produce strong research outcomes within three years after graduation.

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Q7. What practical advice would you give to undergraduates considering graduate school?

I would advise against pursuing graduate studies merely as a way to delay entering the workforce. If research does not align with your aptitude, the process can be extremely challenging. Moreover, even with a Ph.D., ambiguous research outcomes may actually narrow career opportunities.

Only those with genuine interest in academic inquiry and research should make this decision carefully.

Q7-1. How can students determine whether they are suited for research?

In most environments, it is difficult to accurately assess one’s research aptitude. The most reliable way is to participate in an internship and directly experience life in a research lab. Observing the daily lives of senior researchers up close can provide invaluable insight.

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Q8. What are your future research or career goals?

Currently, I plan to continue my research for the next one to two years as an InnoCore Fellow. If opportunities arise, I would like to pursue a postdoctoral position abroad or explore strong research opportunities within Korea to further expand my expertise.

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Q9. Any final words for juniors and readers?

The pace of technological change is astonishing. When I began graduate school in 2020, NLP technologies still felt somewhat distant, yet within just three years, the world had transformed dramatically.

Rather than chasing only what appears most promising at the moment, it is important to identify and invest in fields that have not yet fully blossomed but hold strong future potential.

As Jensen Huang has emphasized, this is no longer an era of focusing on a single specialization. We must cultivate “multiple” capabilities by integrating expertise across two or more domains.

Drug discovery, for example, still faces significant challenges in expanding real-world applications. I encourage students to prepare for the future with intellectual flexibility and interdisciplinary strength.