Members
Dr. Jeongim Kim - Principal investigator
Dr. Kim is an associate professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department and a member of the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (PMCB) graduate program. She received her PhD at Purdue University studying auxin biosynthesis and plant abiotic stress physiology. During her post-doctoral training at Purdue, she studied phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and engaged in several projects aiming to increase biofuel production. She is interested in understanding molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic networks integrating plant stress responses and growth. Google Scholar
Dr. Keun H (Ken) Cho - Research Assistant
Dr. Ken Cho received his Doctor of Plant Medicine (2008) focused in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Florida. He is an expert in Plant Tissue Culture, Gene cloning, Genetic transformation, Crop protection, and Microscopy. He is currently leading the PhytoDetective project.
Doosan Shin - Post Doc
Doosan is a post-doc in our lab. He received a PhD degree in the Horticultural Sciences program from the University of Florida. He is interested in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of plant specialized metabolites, including crosstalk between different biosynthetic pathways, and incorporating these findings into crop engineering. Currently, he is studying the regulatory mechanisms of phenylpropanoid production, governed by alterations in the defense compound pathway. Outside of the lab, he likes to go fishing.
Masood Jan-Post doc
Dr. Jan completed his Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology in South Korea. Following his doctorate, he received his postdoctoral training in China, where he focused on plant abiotic stress physiology and single-cell analysis. Until 2024, he worked at the Institute of Experimental Botany in the Czech Republic to explore the regulation of hormonal signaling at the level of RNA splicing. He joined our lab in Jan, 2025, and he leads our DEO-funded project focusing on the development and utilization of Streptanthus plants as potential energy crops. His research explores the unique ability of these plants to hyperaccumulate nickel, their morphological diversity, and their overall biomass potential. By studying these traits, the project aims to assess the feasibility of Streptanthus species for sustainable bioenergy production while also considering their role in phytoremediation and metal recovery. This work contributes to the broader goal of developing strong, high-yield crops for renewable energy applications.
Haohao Zhao - Graduate Student
Haohao is a PhD student in the Horticultural Sciences Department. She received her master's degree from China Agricultural University. She is interested in understanding the regulatory mechanism of plant stress adaptation, especially the interactions among multiple metabolic pathways functioning in plant growth and stress responses. Currently, she is working on the role of aldoxime metabolism and mediator subunits in tomato. When not in the lab, she likes traveling around.
Makou Lin - Graduate Student
Makou first joined Dr. Kim's lab, in Summer 2022, as a temporary lab employee. Then later, was admitted to UF under Dr. Kim in the Fall of 2022, as a PhD student of the Plant Molecular and Cell Biology program. Graduated from the University of Central Florida in the Spring of 2022 with a B.S. in biology and two minors in chemistry and mathematical biology. His interests focus on plant metabolic pathways; ranging from auxin biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and other secondary metabolites. Apart from his work passion, he relishes in functional activities. From incorporating a new approach to better organize his assets to maintaining a strong and healthy mental and physical style of living, such as approaching life with an understanding yet determined mindset.
Ethan Tucker-Graduate Student
Ethan is a PhD student in the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology program. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2023 with a B.S. in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology. Currently, he is interested in uncovering the complex metabolic networks plants utilize to deal with environmental stresses. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing pickleball.
Aneth Castaneda-Garcia - Undergraduate Research Intern, USP 2023-2024 Awardee
Aneth is a second-year undergraduate student in the Plant Science major with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at UF. She is interested in exploring the genetics and medicinal properties of plants. Outside of the lab, Aneth enjoys gardening, cooking, and dancing salsa.
Benjamin Breuer - Undergraduate Research Intern, USP 2024-2025 awardee
Ben is a rising third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Biology-biotechnology and Plant Science at UF. He is interested in plant biochemistry and genetic engineering, including most areas of agricultural innovation and improving crop systems. In his free time, Ben likes to watch new movies, go on long runs, and explore natural areas.
Julia Ball-Undergraduate Research Intern, USP 2024-2025 awardee
Julia is a third-year undergraduate student in the Horticultural Science major in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UF. She specializes in plant biotechnology and improvement and is pursuing a minor in chemistry. She is interested in studying plant metabolic pathways and plans to pursue a research career in plant biotechnology after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys going on bike rides and playing soccer.
Anika Sackerlotzky-Undergraduate
Anika is a 1st year undergraduate student majoring in plant sciences and minoring in statistics at UF. She is interested in studying plant genetics to develop better crops. Outside the lab she enjoys reading, baking, and dancing
Noah Liss-Undergraduate
Noah is a second year Plant Science major and joined our lab in Jan 2025. He is from Tampa, Florida and has always had a love for plants and their fascinating features and adaptations. He enjoys nature, his ukulele and we may even find him skateboarding from place to place. He plans to go to grad school and study Plant Breeding!
Max Munro- Undergraduate Research Intern
Max is a third-year undergraduate student in the Plant Science department. He is interested in plant science, particularly working with medicinal plants. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading, photography, and playing the guitar.