Global Engagement Spotlight: Jiyoung Lee
July 10, 2024
LSU alumni are making a difference in communities around the world. This week, our team caught up with recent alum Dr. Jiyoung Lee – a graduate of both the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the College of Engineering – to discuss her time at LSU and her next big steps.
Innovating Across Disciplines
Over the last six years, Dr. Lee has graduated with two LSU degrees: a Master’s in
Computer Science and a PhD in Geography. This unique combination of degrees has fueled
her research, which lies at the intersection of machine learning, geospatial data,
and environmental needs. "My research aims to contribute to community resilience,"
she says. "I want to help people and make a difference in urban areas affected by
flooding."
And Dr. Lee is doing just that. After her graduation, she is beginning a postdoctoral
position at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, focusing on flood event analysis
and urban resilience.
Her time at LSU, says Dr. Lee, helped her achieve this early career success: “While
pursuing my PhD, I also took computer science classes and ultimately earned a second
Master’s degree in Computer Science. This additional qualification significantly enhanced
my coding skills and deepened my understanding of the fields.” And, by working as
a research assistant, “I developed strong collaboration skills within a multidisciplinary
team.”
Choosing LSU
During our interview, we asked Dr. Lee how she chose LSU as the place to pursue her
graduate studies. Originally from South Korea, Dr. Lee decided to make the long journey
to LSU because of the opportunities – at LSU, she secured an excellent advisor and
a teaching assistantship to kickstart her academic career. LSU's vibrant campus life
and Louisiana’s famous food and sightseeing spots further solidified her choice.
To future students considering LSU, Dr. Lee says, “I met a lot of excellent professors
and colleagues. I believe you'll also learn from dedicated professors who are experts
in their fields. You'll meet inspiring and driven colleagues as well who will challenge
and support you throughout your academic journey.” And, after experiencing Louisiana’s
unpredictable rain showers, Dr. Lee advises: “Don’t forget to bring an umbrella!”
"You'll meet inspiring and driven colleagues [. . .] who will challenge and support you throughout your academic journey."
Jiyoung Lee, LSU alum
Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your LSU experience with us! To learn more about LSU and our global student community, check out the Office of Global Engagement website.
Thank you to Dwayne Hinton of the College of Science for conducting the initial interview and for his collaboration on this article.