My primary research interests are in the areas of advanced controls for human-building integration, sustainable building design/performance, comprehensive post-occupancy evaluation, and indoor environmental quality. More than 40 research papers have been published in prestigious international journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings, based on my research work in recent years. My academic achievements were recognized by major research and conference organizations, and I received a Best Paper Award from the Architecture Institute of Korea in 2012, a 2014-2015 New Investigator Award from the U.S. Architectural Research Centers Consortium, and a best paper award from the 2016 International Conference of Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, and Energy Conservation.  

At USC, I lead the High-Performance Building Research Group as a Director, and the research focuses on the relationship between human factors and the ambient environmental quality controls (which includes (extreme) thermal, visual, and air quality conditions) in building systems. I have also been involved in multiple building projects relevant to net-zero energy and energy efficiency/sustainable design. As an interdisciplinary researcher, I am currently working with faculty from multiple disciplines, such as Medicine, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, to develop a user-centered environmental control in the domain of sustainable building and smart control for enhancing an occupant’s productivity and health, as well as environmental sustainability.  

Based on the interdisciplinary research skills, I have participated in multiple research projects sponsored by governmental agencies, industry partners and research grant programs including the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Boston Society of Architects/AIA, U.S. Green Building Alliance (GBA), ALCOA, SIEMENS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UNEP, and U.S. Roof Construction Institute Foundation (RCIF).