Oct 12, 2024 
Dr. Jeong Hun Park is a Research Scientist in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for 3D Medical Fabrication at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. Since starting his academic career as a Research Scientist I in 2019, Dr. Park has performed various research focusing on the development of advanced functional medical devices using 3D bioprinting and biomechanics for a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, disease treatment, and biomimetic in vitro tissue model for diagnosis. He recently co-authored a paper focusing on 3D Printing of Poly-ε-Caprolactone (PCL) Auxetic Implants with Advanced Performance for Large Volume Soft Tissue Engineering. Dr. Park was a speaker at our recent virtual event focusing on 3D printing and bioprinting for breast reconstruction and breast implants.
When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing?
Jeong Hun: When I was an undergraduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2013, I had the opportunity to take a class with a newly hired professor who introduced us to the micro- fabrication technologies including MEMS and 3D printing. I was particularly fascinated by the application of 3D printing in fabricating 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration. This exposure sparked my interest in the biomedical potential of 3D printing, leading me to pursue further studies in graduate school to deepen my understanding and expertise in this field.
What inspired you to start your journey?
Jeong Hun: I have always been driven by a strong desire to make a meaningful contribution to society. This motivation led me to pursue research in the field of biomedical engineering where I saw the potential to develop life-enhancing and life-saving technologies. 3D printing, particularly in the area of bio-fabrication and bio-printing, offered a unique opportunity to bridge my engineering background with impactful biomedical applications, allowing me to directly contribute to improving lives.
Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing /Bioprinting?
Jeong Hun: During my Ph.D., I was deeply inspired by my supervisor, Professor Dong-Woo Cho at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). His professionalism and meticulous approach to research have always been a source of inspiration for me. In addition, my mentor during my Ph.D., currently Professor Hyun-Wook Kang at the Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST) made a lasting impression with his passion and dedication to research, coupled with his innovative approach to solving complex problems.
Furthermore, my current Principal Investigator (PI), Professor Scott Hollister at the Georgia Institute of Technology, continues to be a great influence. His relentless pursuit of research and emphasis on clinical translations have significantly influenced my own research direction and helped shape the type of researcher I aspire to be.
What motivates you the most for your work?
Jeong Hun: My family. I want to be a father and husband that my children and wife can be proud of, and I believe one of the best ways to achieve that is by consistently showing up to work and giving my best effort every day.
What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Jeong Hun: Sometimes I feel like I have too much on my plate, but I try not to let it overwhelm me. I try to focus on taking things one step at a time with patience.
What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Jeong Hun: Each 3D printing modality has its own strengths and limitations in terms of material selection, structural integrity, and design flexibility. For instance, extrusion 3D printing allows for a wide range of biomaterials but can restrict the design flexibility of the part to be printed. Implementation of sacrificial material could be a solution, it can make the printing process more complicated and has an adverse effect on the printed part quality. Selective laser sintering (SLS) modality can offer better structural integrity and design flexibility for the printed parts, but it has limited material selectivity. For the present, the key is selecting the appropriate 3D printing modality based on specific needs.
Although 3D printing has opened new possibilities, the quality of printed parts still does not yet match that of traditional manufacturing methods. Continuous research efforts are required for each 3D printing modality to address current limitations and enhance the quality of printed parts. This is particularly crucial for ensuring proper quality control, especially in clinical translations.
If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
Jeong Hun: Health and happiness for me and my family, diverse experience and opportunities to inspire new ideas for my research, and a steady stream of research funding to support my work.
What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advices you heard should they ignore?
Jeong Hun: Please try to accept the possibility that you may sometimes be wrong. Please try to cultivate the tolerance to accept advice from others without dismissing it too lightly. Please make a deliberate effort to search deeper and investigate more thoroughly.
What’s your favorite book you read this year and why? Alternatively, what’s your favorite book of all times you read and why?
Jeong Hun: Unfortunately, I have not had much time to read lately. However, there is a Korean book I read a while ago called “Flowers Bloom in the Mountains”, which is my favorite. What it taught me is that now is the time, there is no other time.
Related Articles:
Interview with Julien Payen: Lattice Medical
Interview Dr. Mohit Chhaya: BellaSeno
Interview with Esther Valliant: Bioglass for 3D Printing
Interview with Dr. Bryan Scheer: From Bedside To SiNAPTIC Technologies
Past 3DHEALS Influencer Interviews
Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Contact: info@3dheals.com
Comments