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.
Makou Lin - Ph.D. candidate
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- ph.d. candidate
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 - SWES graduate student
Aneth is a master's student in the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) program. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2025 with a B.S. in Plant Science. Her research focuses on the hyperaccumulator Streptanthus polygaloides to investigate the effects of different serpentine soil physicochemical properties on biomass and nickel uptake. Outside of the lab, she enjoys salsa dancing, cooking, and watching movies.
Anika Sackerlotzky-Undergraduate
Anika is a 2nd year undergraduate student majoring in plant sciences and double minoring in statistics and PMCB at UF. She is interested in studying plant genetics to develop better crops. Outside the lab she enjoys reading, baking, and dancing.
Julia Ball - PMCB Graduate Student
Julia is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Horticultural Science from the University of Florida in 2025. Her main research focus is understanding the role of aldoxime metabolism in tomato. She also studies the production of health-promoting flavanols in tomato seeds. In her free time, Julia enjoys playing soccer, biking around Florida trails, and traveling with friends.
Max Munro- Graduate Student
Max is a recent graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a B.S. in Plant Science. He is interested in plant specialized metabolism, particularly in medicinal plants, and in understanding how bioactive compounds are produced and regulated. In the lab, Max utilizes a range of analytical and biochemical approaches to study plant metabolites, with a strong emphasis on chromatographic analysis and quantitative measurement to support investigations of plant metabolic pathways. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading, photography, playing the guitar, and fishing.
Jackson Foxworthy- Graduate Student
Jackson Foxworthy is an undergraduate senior from Miami, FL. My passion for plants stems from my love for the national parks. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and reading comics. In the future, I hope to continue on an academic path.
Ariani Antequera - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ariani is a 2nd-year undergraduate student majoring in microbiology with a minor in organic and sustainable crop production at UF. I'm interested in studying how we can use plant genetics to improve crop production methods on Earth and potentially in space. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading novels and comics, running, and watching movies.
Shuwen Jia - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shuwen Jia is a second-year Biology major at the University of Florida on a pre-med track. She is interested in plant genetics and its potential applications in human health. Through her undergraduate research, she hopes to learn more about how genetic changes influence plant growth and development while gaining hands-on research experience. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and watching movies.
Jennifer Kim - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jennifer Kim is a 4th-year undergraduate student studying nutritional and food science. She is interested in how food can be used in medicine and implemented in disease prevention. Outside of the lab, she enjoys photography, reading, and watching documentaries.
Nicole Macedo - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nicole Macedo is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida majoring in Biology, with plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Originally from Miami, she is an undergraduate research assistant in the lab, where she is beginning to develop research experience in polyploidy and genetics. She is particularly interested in how genetic variation influences biological traits, health, and resilience, with the goal of applying this knowledge to her future career in veterinary medicine. In addition to research, Nicole is a teaching assistant for the Introduction to Animal Science Laboratory at UF. Outside of academics, she is a member of UF Club Swimming and competed at the national championships with the team. She is also an advanced certified scuba diver.
Annabelle Yi - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Annabelle Yi is a second-year Microbiology and Cells Science major on a pre-health track. She is an undergraduate research intern from Boca Raton, Florida who has an interest in plant genetics and their health-related applications. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano and violin, reading, and listening to new types of music.
Seryung Choi - HOS Graduate Student
Seryung Choi is a Ph.D. student in Horticultural Sciences. She began her Ph.D. in Fall 2026. Her research focuses on strawberry biology, with interests in the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying its development and metabolism. Outside the lab, she enjoys weight training and playing tennis.
Fun fact: While she’s eating, she’s already thinking about her next meal.
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Former Members
- Chihiro Mori (Undergraduate student 2025-2026)
- Seth Rosa (Undergraduate student 2025-2026)
- Vincent Li (Undergraduate student 2025-2026)
- Noah Liss (Undergraduate student 2025-2026)
- Doosan Shin (HOS Ph.D. student 2019-2023, Postdoc, 2023-2026)
- Masood Jan (Postdoc, 2025)
- Benjamin Breuer (Undergraduate research intern, USP, 2024-2025)
- Haohao Zhao (HOS Ph.D student 2020-2025)
- Aneth Castaneda (Undergraduate research intern, 2023-2025)
- Ru Dai (Bio Sci 2018-2023)
- Sarah Goldberg (2022-2023)
- Emma Kunkel (PMCB Graduate Student, 2022)
- Veronica Perez (PMCB Ph.D student 2018-2022)
- Minkyu Park (OPS, Postdoc 2022)
- Bing Bai, Ph.D (Postdoc 2020-2021)
- Yeonghun Song, Ph.D (Visiting Scholar 2018-2019)
- Dingpeng Zhang, Ph.D (Research assistant 2018-2019)
- Gabriella Dickinson (PMCB rotation, 2021)
- Aneirin (Nye) Lott (PMCB rotation, 2020)
- Hope Hersh (PMCB rotation, 2019)
- Hui Lui (PMCB rotation, 2018)
- Alec Chin-Quee (PMCB rotation, 2019)
- Bryce Askey (Undergraduate research intern 2017-2021)
- Andrew Kunik (Undergraduate research intern 2020-2021)
- Bhargava Knolli (Undergraduate research intern 2021)
- Sierra Iniguiz (Undergraduate research intern 2021)
- Persis Desai (Undergraduate research intern 2020)
- Chen Zhang (Exchange undergraduate student 2019-2020)
- Song Li (Exchange undergraduate student 2019)
- Anamaria Perez (Summer undergraduate research, 2019)
- Alison Bordini (Biological Scientist 2017-2018)