Researcher of the Month

Envisioned by Dr. Jeannette M. Wing, Executive Vice President for Research, the “Researcher of the Month” series celebrates Columbia University researchers at all levels — students, faculty, and postdocs — by showcasing their scientific contributions, passion for their work, and personal stories. Explore their inspiring stories and insights below!

Seongyeon Bae, PhD

“Despite immense challenges, including the loss of my mentor and navigating uncertainty, I have remained deeply committed to my research. I investigate how and why breast cancer can relapse years or even decades later, and I explore new ways to prevent it. I continue to push forward with my research — driven by its potential to profoundly impact patients and their families.”

As a cancer researcher at the Ryeom Lab in the Department of Surgery, Seongyeon Bae is advancing critical knowledge in the fight against breast cancer metastasis. Originally from South Korea, Seongyeon’s work focuses on understanding cancer dormancy, a phenomenon that enables relapse decades after initial remission. Her pursuit is not only a scientific challenge, but also a deeply personal mission inspired by her mother’s experience with breast cancer. “The unpredictable nature of metastatic relapse is a significant problem,” Seongyeon explains. “I’m committed to uncovering the mechanisms behind it to identify new therapeutic approaches.”

Seongyeon’s research blends traditional experimental techniques with emerging computational methods, including bioinformatics. Her studies use mouse models and genomic analyses to explore why and how cancer cells become dormant and what triggers their reactivation. “I’m fascinated by the why,” she says. “Understanding the mechanisms behind these phenomena — and finding ways to regulate them — is both challenging and exhilarating,” says Seongyeon, whose dream from a young age was to become a scientist.

Seongyeon’s path to conduct research has been marked by extraordinary resilience. She began her postdoctoral training under the renowned Dr. Filippo Giancotti at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she honed her expertise in metastatic dormancy models. When Dr. Giancotti transitioned to Columbia, Seongyeon followed him to continue her postdoctoral work under his mentorship.

However, Seongyeon’s journey took a heartbreaking turn after the move to Columbia, when Dr. Giancotti was diagnosed with terminal cancer. “Everything fell apart,” Seongyeon recalls, as Dr. Giancotti’s diagnosis not only brought the lab’s work to a standstill, but also meant she had to cope with the profound loss of a mentor who had been a guiding figure in her career.

As a junior postdoc at the time, Seongyeon faced the daunting task of navigating her research without guidance, while also grappling with personal grief and professional uncertainty. “During that time, I questioned whether I should abandon my project altogether,” Seongyeon recalls. She felt she had nowhere to go, and faced the possibility of her research coming to an abrupt end.

Despite these challenges, Seongyeon ultimately prevailed with determination and garnered new support to continue her research. “I really invested a lot in this project and I wanted to see it through,” Seongyeon said.

Dr. Sandra Ryeom became Seongyeon’s mentor, throwing her a rope and believing in her potential. In addition to offering a job, Dr. Ryeom enabled the opportunity for Seongyeon to continue her project. With the support of Dr. Ryeom and Dr. Ron DePinho, a collaborator at MD Anderson Cancer Center who also provided invaluable guidance, Seongyeon salvaged her research and continued her work at Columbia. “I was in the dark – but Dr. Ryeom’s mentorship at a time when I needed it the most, and her belief in my potential, gave me the strength to keep going,” Seongyeon shares.

Beyond her own research endeavors, Seongyeon is equally passionate about mentoring the next generation of researchers. She dreams of becoming a Principal Investigator and solving the most difficult questions of breast cancer research. Having experienced firsthand the profound impact of empathetic guidance during her most challenging moments, she aspires to be a source of support and inspiration for others. “If I can succeed after overcoming these obstacles, I want to help others navigate their own challenges,” she shares.

Seongyeon’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to thrive in the face of adversity. Her journey, fueled by personal motivation and supported by compassionate mentorship, illustrates the transformative impact of perseverance in science and research. As she continues to push the boundaries of cancer research, Seongyeon exemplifies the profound influence one researcher can have — not only in the laboratory, but also in the lives of those they inspire.

Josh Alman, PhD

“I feel lucky to work on answering questions that are not only deeply interesting and fun to explore, but also profoundly impactful — shaping how we solve problems across so many areas of computation, from advancing machine learning systems like ChatGPT, to strengthening cryptography and making algorithms faster and more efficient.”

As a theoretical computer scientist, Josh Alman is dedicated to exploring the possibilities and limitations of computation through the lens of algebraic algorithms. Building on a lifelong love of math and puzzles, Josh has emerged as a leader in advancing the efficiency of computational processes. His research focuses on using mathematical tools to create faster algorithms.

In areas such as matrix multiplication — a cornerstone of modern computational systems — Josh’s contributions are particularly impactful. One compelling example of his work’s significance is its application to large language models like ChatGPT. When users ask ChatGPT a question, the system converts the input into an algebraic object called a vector. The model then performs extensive algebraic operations on that vector, such as matrix multiplication, to produce a coherent response. In other words, “When you ask it a question, in the background it is actually doing lots and lots of algebra — and then spitting out an answer at the end,” Josh explains. His research aims to optimize these algebraic operations by making them faster, using less energy and hardware, and ultimately enhancing the performance of AI technologies.

Josh describes his work as a unique intersection of intellectual curiosity and real-world impact. “I feel like I get to work all the time on these really interesting, fun puzzles — but simultaneously, I am hopefully making progress on answering important questions that will really help people in a lot of different domains of computation,” Josh shares. He feels fortunate to work in a field where answering questions he finds fascinating can also have significant, positive impacts on the broader world of computation. A lifelong learner, Josh is also deeply curious about neighboring areas of computer science, and he enjoys developing new connections between them to apply novel insights and techniques to his work.

In addition to his professional achievements, Josh also enjoys spending time with his family, especially exploring New York City together. From visiting parks and museums, to discovering kid-friendly restaurants, he embraces the city’s vibrant opportunities for family fun. In his personal time, he indulges in his love of video games. His enthusiasm for League of Legends even inspired him to write a research paper during his PhD on the computer science underlying the game.

Josh also has a long-standing passion for puzzles. He says, “I really enjoy solving puzzles, and participating in and making something called ‘puzzle hunts,’ which are collections of puzzles where you get together with your team and race other teams to solve all the puzzles as quickly as possible.” For over a decade, with friends he has been creating “puzzle hunts,” which he releases online for others to solve.   

Josh is quick to credit much of his success to the collaborative nature of his field. “Mathematics and theoretical computer science are very collaborative areas, and I work together with so many great students, postdocs, and faculty at Columbia and around the world,” he says. “A lot of my research successes really should be attributed to them.” This sense of gratitude reflects his belief in the power of teamwork and mentorship, further cementing his role as a pioneer in theoretical computer science and an inspiration to the next generation of researchers.