"There will be many external factors that try to undermine your dreams, but if you have a passion that drives you to pursue it, even the most challenging roads won’t deter you," says Professor Seo Eun-Suk (Physics, Univeristy of Maryland), a professional in the field of astrophysics. After being born and raised in Korea, she graduated from Korea University (KU) in the Department of Physics and received her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) in the United States (U.S.). Professor Seo received numerous awards including the U.S. Presidential Award, got her research paper published in Nature, and worked on collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Currently a professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland, Professor Seo still pursues her studies with great enthusiasm.
About Professor Seo
About 95 percent of the universe consists of dark energy and dark matter, and what humans know about is less than five percent. Other than their existence, the identity of dark energy and dark matter has not been revealed. Theoretically, invisible dark matter particles collide with each other to generate normal particles, and many scientists, including Professor Seo, have been conducting experiments to look for evidence of this. To be specific, she has been studying the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays, including searches for exotic matter such as antimatter and dark matter. She led the Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass program (CREAM), a project to measure the composition and energy spectra of cosmic ray particles by flying the instrument to space. In its May issue, The Granite Tower (GT) interviewed Professor Seo to celebrate her achievements and provide motivation for KU students.
GT: Why did you decide to study abroad, and what were the difficulties you faced? How did you overcome these difficulties?
Seo: I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. in physics, but with limited resources and unfavorable conditions in Korea at the time, I knew that studying abroad was the best option for me. I accepted Louisiana State University (LSU)’s offer of a full assistantship scholarship, despite being unfamiliar with the culture and customs of the U.S. At LSU, I discovered an incredible research opportunity at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland. I had to finish the required coursework and pass the Ph.D. qualification exam to start research at NASA GSFC. Despite the ordeal of getting involved in a car accident during the week of the exam, I managed to succeed in my exams.
At NASA GSFC, I was faced with the challenge of working in a laboratory that developed space instruments, with no prior experience in even the most basic experimental equipment. However, I was determined to learn from the ground up and spent long hours studying and working, even on weekends and holidays. It was my determination to succeed and willingness to learn that allowed me to achieve my goals in physics and work with NASA.
GT: How has KU contributed to your career as an astrophysicist?
Seo: In 1980, when I enrolled at KU, the country was in a state of political turmoil and social unrest. The turbulent social climate of the time forced me and my fellow students to ask ourselves what we could do to make a difference. Through endless discussions with my peers and seniors, I learned how to view society and my role in it.
In addition, KU’s strong culture of solidarity between seniors and juniors fostered an atmosphere of mutual support and gave me a strong sense of belonging. I participated in the Nongak troupe as a photographer during one of the Annual Ko-Yon Games and experienced the power of uniting with other students to accomplish a common goal. This experience proved invaluable when I later conducted research projects in the U.S. Scientists and engineers with different backgrounds and personalities often found it challenging to work together, particularly when language and cultural barriers existed. But by applying the teamwork principles I acquired in KU, I was able to overcome these challenges and succeed in my projects.
GT: What was your most memorable experience working on the CREAM Project in collaboration with NASA?
Seo: One of the primary challenges of high-energy measurements is that the detectors must be large enough to collect adequate statistics yet remain within the weight limit for the instrument to be flyable, as the cosmic ray flux decreases as energy increases. Despite the challenges, I developed an innovative instrument which led to the CREAM Project. When the 150 m diameter balloon carrying 3 tons of equipment soared to 40 km above the ground in the polar region, everyone erupted in joyous cheers. For me, that moment was the most thrilling as a scientist, and the feeling still hasn’t faded. By taking advantage of constant daylight during local summer and continuous solar power, we were able to acheive order-of-magnitude improvements in flight duration. Despite the harsh conditions of Antarctica, we successfully completed multiple flights, recovering, refurbishing, and re-flying payloads over the years.
The success of the balloon flights led us to modify the payload for the International Space Station (ISS). This version of CREAM, known as ISSCREAM, allowed for longer stays in space than the balloons and enabled higher-energy particle measurements. In 2017, we launched ISS-CREAM aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the 12th Commercial Resupply Service mission (SpaceX-12), and it was another unforgettable moment in my career.
GT: Please give a word of encouragement to KU students who aspire to become scientists.
Seo: If you lack skills in math or computer coding, don’t let it discourage you from pursuing a career in science. The most important qualities of a scientist are curiosity, passion, and perseverance. Having a thirst for problem-solving and the willingness to work through challenges are what truly define a scientist.
If you are struggling to determine your dreams, what you should do, and how you should live, listen to your own voice. There may not always be a guaranteed path to success, and the choices you make might seem reckless or foolish, but there will always be something you believe you must do. Remember, perseverance is more important than any talent. Geniuses cannot beat those who work hard, and those who work hard cannot beat those who enjoy what they do. So, enjoy the journey you choose, don't be discouraged by self-doubt, and face your challenges with grit and determination. Go Tigers!
