Graduate Outcomes

Sungshin Women’s University Degree: BS (2021), MS (2023)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Master’s in Nutrition & Metabolism (2025)
Current website: www.linkedin.com/in/yeji-han-220a6229a   

Q: How did the master’s program in Nutrition & Metabolism help to prepare you for your current career?
The Nutrition & Metabolism program provided me with a strong foundation in both the basic science and epidemiological aspects of nutrition. The coursework covered a wide range of nutrition research and helped me develop critical thinking and analytical skills that have been essential in my work as a researcher. The program also offered valuable opportunities for collaboration with faculty and peers, which helped me grow both professionally and personally. I am especially grateful for the mentorship and guidance I received throughout my time at BU.

Q: Where are you now and what are you up to these days?
I’m currently preparing to begin my PhD program at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. In the meantime, I continue to work on research projects that I began during my master’s program at BU. My research focuses on the epidemiological relationship between diet and various health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive health. My role involves statistical analysis, manuscript writing, and contributing to ongoing investigations into the role of nutrition in promoting better health.

Q: Are there any recent milestones or achievements that you would like to share?
During my time at BU, I had many opportunities to present and share my research, both within the program and at external conferences. One highlight was attending my first international conference as a student member of the American Society for Nutrition. Traveling out of state and presenting my work was a major milestone, and I’m grateful to the program for supporting me financially and academically in that endeavor.

Q: Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and connect—with professors, classmates, and researchers. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance; the support system within the Nutrition & Metabolism program is incredibly strong. The coursework, especially in the first two semesters, can feel overwhelming at times—but lean on your mentors and peers. After facing those challenges, you’ll come out stronger and more confident in your path.

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Master’s in Nutrition & Metabolism (2020)

Q: When did you graduate from BU, and how long were you in the program?
I started the Nutrition & Metabolism program at Boston University in September 2019 and graduated in September 2020. It was a fast-tracked experience, and while the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted in-person activities midway through, I was fortunate to have begun my research early, which allowed me to complete my thesis and oral defense on time. Being an international student from Canada, I took advantage of BU’s Learn from Anywhere approach, which enabled me to continue my studies remotely and begin planning the next steps in my academic path.

Q: What brought you to BU’s N&M program?
After completing a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, I became increasingly interested in how nutrition may be used to prevent chronic disease and promote long-term health. The N&M program at BU stood out for its strong foundation in molecular, biochemical, and physiological aspects of human nutrition, and its flexibility to pursue research across clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic settings. One of the aspects I appreciated most was the chance to learn from faculty with a wide range of backgrounds—MDs, PhDs, MD/PhDs—from different medical departments across the university and surrounding institutions. That diversity of expertise created a uniquely interdisciplinary environment and deeply enriched my learning experience. It also helped me build the critical thinking skills and scientific foundation I needed to pursue a career focused on improving healthspan through evidence-based science.

Q: Can you share a bit about your thesis work and who you worked with?
My thesis, titled “The role of ATGL-1 in CeTOR regulated longevity in C. elegans”, was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Konstantin V. Kandror, PhD, in the Department of Biochemistry. The project aimed to investigate whether adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a key enzyme in lipid metabolism, plays a role in lifespan extension downstream of TOR inhibition. Our laboratory has shown that adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), the rate-limiting enzyme within the lipolytic pathway, is a target of dietary restriction and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways—both of which are known to regulate lifespan. Using C. elegans as a model, I explored the effects of rapamycin treatment and TOR-specific RNA interference on ATGL-1 expression. While the COVID-19 pandemic limited the completion of downstream assays, the experience provided a strong foundation in molecular aging research and deepened my interest in evolutionarily conserved longevity pathways.

Q: What have you been up to since BU?
After graduating from BU, I began my PhD in Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba in September 2020. My research focuses on how dietary interventions—such as caloric restriction and different protein sources—modulate gut microbiota, immune responses, and intestinal health. I use a combination of preclinical and translational models, including fish, mice, and human datasets, to explore these interactions across species. In parallel, I am investigating the role of the novel hormone–receptor pair insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) and relaxin family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4) in intestinal inflammation. This cross-species approach allows me to explore conserved mechanisms that may contribute to improving gut health and longevity.

Q: Any recent achievements or milestones you’d like to share?
I’m preparing to submit a manuscript on caloric restriction in a mouse model of colitis, which integrates transcriptomic profiling, microbiome analysis, and cross-species comparisons with human datasets. I’m also collaborating on several projects in aquaculture research, examining physiological, reproductive, immunological, and microbial outcomes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). I’ve contributed to several publications during my PhD, with more currently in preparation, and I’m excited to be finishing my PhD later this year.

Q: How did the BU N&M program help you reach your career goals?
The N&M program gave me a strong foundation in metabolic pathways, research design, and critical thinking—all of which have been essential throughout my PhD. One of the most enriching aspects was the wide variety of lecturers from different schools and disciplines. I also appreciated the flexibility to take courses across departments, including Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals and the full nutrition core series (Molecular, Biochemical and Physiologic Bases of Nutrition), as well as Research Design and Statistical Methods for Biomedical Sciences.

Equally important was the support and mentorship I received from the program’s core faculty. Their enthusiasm, scientific rigor, and openness created an environment that encouraged curiosity and independence. The experience gave me the confidence to pursue research that spans systems, species, and disciplines—and I continue to draw on what I learned at BU in both theory and practice.

Q: Any advice for current or prospective students?
Use the program as a chance to build lasting connections—with faculty, peers, and researchers across disciplines. The strength of N&M lies in how it brings together people from different fields and schools, offering a truly interdisciplinary experience. Whether through coursework, seminars, or research opportunities, take advantage of the breadth of expertise available. That wide exposure can help shape your perspective, open new doors, and support your growth long after the program ends.