Wonsuk Choi

Graduate Research Assistant II

Ocular Disease Pathology Lab

• Investigated ocular graft-versus-host disease using murine transplant models, characterizing immune cell infiltration, activation, and tissue-specific inflammatory responses.
• Performed multi-parameter flow cytometry and tissue immunophenotyping (cornea, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland) to define immune subsets and inflammatory profiles supporting biomarker assessment.
• Evaluated preclinical ophthalmic therapeutics for safety, efficacy, and pharmacodynamic response using BCOP and HET-CAM assays.
• Contributed to experimental design, protocol development, and scientific reporting supporting translational research collaborations.

Biological Study Coordinator

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism — Dr. Terry Unterman

• Performed Western blot analysis in mouse liver knockout models to evaluate protein expression, pathway modulation, and target-related biological effects.
• Executed RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and qPCR workflows to assess gene expression and support mechanistic pathway analysis.
• Managed murine colonies — breeding, identification, genotyping — ensuring data integrity and efficient preclinical study execution.
• Conducted in vivo and ex vivo procedures: retro-orbital and intraperitoneal injection, tail bleed, blood and liver collection, blood-glucose monitoring.

Biological Science Lab Technician

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism — Dr. Rhonda D. Kineman

• Conducted Western blot, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and PCR-based assays to characterize insulin signaling and FOXO1-driven metabolic pathways.
• Supported mechanistic studies of insulin resistance through molecular and protein-level pathway analysis, enabling target and pathway characterization.

Graduate Research Assistant

Structural Biology Lab — Dr. Innokentiy Maslennikov

• Solved 3D peptide structures by 1D/2D NMR (TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC) — signal assignment in CARA, structure calculation in CYANA with NOE distance constraints, visualization in UCSF Chimera.
• Synthesized and purified peptides by solid-phase synthesis, macrocyclization, and reverse-phase HPLC; built DOPC/DOPG liposome membrane models to study peptide–membrane interaction.
• Applied structure–activity relationship analysis and pharmacophore mimicry to protein–protein interaction targets, including NF-κB inhibition via HOIP-NZF1/NEMO structural analogs.

Research Assistant

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism — Dr. Terry Unterman

• Performed DNA extraction and purification from insulin-receptor knockout murine liver to correlate DNA quantification with insulin KO status.
• Reviewed manuscripts to identify data-integrity issues and improve clarity and scientific rigor.
• Presented and synthesized scientific literature to support experimental design and hypothesis generation.

R&D and Manufacturing Assistant

Research & Development · Manufacturing Operations

• Developed and optimized bioactive endodontic cement and dental polymer formulations; ran INSTRON mechanical stress testing to assess material performance.
• Executed QC/QA under cGLP and cGMP — SOPs, formulations, raw-material dispensing, and scale-up from raw material to finished product.
• Performed verification and validation testing and product labeling to ISO and regulatory standards; ran an independent long-term aging/discoloration study for a foreign regulatory institution.

Stockroom Assistant

• Managed medical-equipment stockrooms — receiving shipments, restocking cabinets, and preparing supply carts for clinical departments.
• Restocked requested medical supplies through the Omnicell system across the hospital and clinics.

Research Mentorship

Materials Science — Dr. Seung Bum Hong

• Studied ferroelectric microscopy and presented its principles; summarized literature and faculty seminars for discussion with the department.