Title: Professor
Institution: Boise State University
Address: 3681 S. Shortleaf Ave., BOISE, Idaho 83716
Email: byungkim@boisestate.edu
Phone: (208) 741-0397
Research Interests: Investigation of Self-Assembled Water Chains in Biomolecular Interactions by cantilever based optical interfacial force microscopy (COIFM), Probing an enzymatic transition state using single molecular force spectroscopy (SMFS), Development of COIFM Biosensor for proteomic screening, Single molecular chiral recognition using electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), Separation of topographic features from magnetic force images in magnetic force microscopy (MFM), Biomolecular dynamics using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HSAFM), Nanotribology using friction force microcopy (FFM), SPM based nanolithography
Biographical Sketch:
I am a Professor of Physics, and my research is focused on nanoscale water associated with biomolecular interactions. I have a broad background in physics, with specific training and expertise in atomic force microscopy (AFM) and single molecule biophysics using the force-spectroscopy. As PI or co-Investigator on several university- and federal-funded grants, I laid the groundwork for the proposed research by developing novel measurement techniques of forces relevant to biomolecular interactions, and by establishing a strong undergraduate research that will help undergraduate students prepare nanoscale sciences for graduate schools and industry positions. I successfully produced several peer-reviewed publications from each project. The undergraduate participations have been documented in the numerous publications and presentations as authors/co-authors (All coauthors listed in the citations of this biosketch are undergraduate students). As a result of these previous experiences, I am aware of the importance of frequent communication with undergraduate students and of constructing a realistic research plan, timeline, and budget. The current application builds logically on my prior work. During 2015-2022, my new project pursuits were somewhat slowdown due to family obligations, new graduate teaching responsibility, and pandemic. Meanwhile, the period is monumental for my research because I made a TEDx talk and published a book about the discovery of “water chains.” Upon returning from the pandemic in 2023, I immediately obtained a small on-campus research project (Osher Faculty Grant), which will be successfully completed in March, 2024. In summary, I have the expertise, leadership, training, expertise, and motivation necessary to successfully carry out the proposed research project. Ongoing and previously completed projects (out of 17 funded projects since joining in BSU in 2004) that I would like to highlight include:
Osher Faculty Grant ($7500) Byung Kim (PI) 04/01/23-03/31/24 COIFM Investigation of Self-Assembled Water Chains in Biomolecular Interactions
National Science Foundation 1126854: ($342,001) Byung Kim (PI) 10/01/11-09/30/15 MRI: Development of a COIFM with Lateral Modulation for Studying Interfacial Water
National Science Foundation 0852886 ($240,181) Byung Kim (PI) 06/01/09 - 05/31/12 IDBR: RUI: Development of a Cantilever Based Optical Interfacial Force Microscope.
Education:
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon
BS
02/1991
Physics
Seoul National University, Seoul
MS
02/1993
Condensed Matter Physics: Atomic Force Microscopy
Seoul National University, Seoul
PHD
08/1998
Condensed Matter Physics: Atomic Force Microscopy
University of Houston, Houston, TX
Postdoctoral Fellow
10/2001
Chemical Physics: Atomic Force Microscopy/Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Organic Molecules on Solid Surfaces
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
Postdoctoral Fellow
07/2004
Biophysics: Interfacial Force Microscopy of Water in Biomolecular Interactions
Professional Certifications:
Member of Biophysical Society
• Member of American Vacuum Society
• Member of American Physical Society
• Member of Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA)