Faculty

Biographical Info

Dr. Han, a molecular cell biologist, studies the function of matrix metalloproteinase protein in corneal neovascularization and its relationship to blindness. His areas of research have focused on the MT1-MMP and its associated proteins and substrates on the cell. Dr. Han is currently investigating the biological function of the exosomal MT1-MMP from the corneal fibroblast in vitro and in vivo. Exosomes from the MT1-MMP knock-out cell have been composed of different components/proteins when compared to that of the wild type. Dissecting the differences between the exosomal components in WT and MT1-MMP KO cells will provide an understanding of the molecular mechanism of exosomal MT1-MMP in corneal neovascularization and further support the development of therapies targeted to prevent blindness resulting from injury/disease-induced angiogenesis.

Education

BS in Genetic Engineering—Suwon University, Korea
MS in Genetic Engineering—Suwon University, Korea
PhD in Oncology—Kyung Hee University, Korea
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Biology—Pohang University of Science & Technology; and Kyung Hee University, Korea
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ophthalmology—University of Illinois at Chicago