Hyeongmin Seo is a professor here in the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department. Learn more about Professor Seo and how his career path led him to the University of Iowa.

Hometown: Anyang-si, South Korea

Schools Attended: 

B.S. Konkuk University (South Korea)

Ph.D. University of Tennessee

Describe your undergraduate/graduate studies:

I was first interested in enzymes, proteins that catalyze biological reactions, so I joined a laboratory developing a biosensor device using an immobilized enzyme. Then, I read a scientific article about self-replicating synthetic bacterial cells that have artificial bacterial genomes. The article motivated me to pursue synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for my graduate studies, focusing on rewiring enzymes and microorganisms for sustainable chemical and fuel production.

What made you decide to go into engineering as a career path?

I liked math and chemistry, so I wanted to do something that had components of both subjects. Also, when I was a senior in high school in 2007, the global financial crisis began. This made me consider engineering as a major that would help me find a job more easily than other majors. Although I did not go into the industry after graduation, majoring in engineering trained me to find and solve problems and create value for broad communities.

What led you to professorship at the University of Iowa?

The University of Iowa is an amazing place to develop research programs for sustainability, bioenergy, and biomedical research. The infrastructure and collaborative research environment led me to the University of Iowa. Moreover, the University of Iowa is full of great students, staff, and faculty members who constantly inspire me.

Favorite thing about being a professor at the University of Iowa?

Not many engineering professors in the United States can get coffee and a variety of foods within a 5-minute walk from their offices. One of my favorite parts of being an engineering professor at the University of Iowa is that I can walk to downtown in 5 minutes from my office.

What courses are you teaching this upcoming semester? Do you have a favorite?

I teach Process dynamics and control in design in the Fall semester and Chemical engineering process design II in the Spring semester. I like every core CBE course because they are fundamentals for many important areas such as energy and environment, biochemical engineering, sustainability, and pharmaceuticals.

What is your favorite place to eat in Iowa City?

Blue Elephant Thai restaurant (in Coralville). They have wonderful green curry that reminds me of one I had when I visited Thailand.

Fun fact about you?

I served military in the U.S. Army camp in South Korea for two years.