September 15-19, 2025, is National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Since 2009, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has sponsored this annual celebration to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to research and scientific discovery. Check out the NPA website to view the virtual and in-person events being held this week. 

This week, BPS will be highlighting postdoc members on the blog. Today, read about Sangwoo (Steven) Park, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Background & Inspiration 

1. Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to your current postdoc position? 

I started out in physics during my undergraduate years, and during my PhD under Professor Matthew Paszek’s guidance, I became very interested in biophysics and glycobiology. My work there focused on the sugar layer on the cell membrane, called the glycocalyx, and how its physical properties affect interactions with immune cells. Toward the end of my PhD, I realized that the glycocalyx can actually block cell-cell interaction (e.g., cell therapies), and I became fascinated by this interface between the glycocalyx and the immune system. That naturally led me to the immunotherapy field. So now, in my postdoc in Professor Marcela Maus’s lab, I’m focusing on developing novel cell-based immunotherapy (e.g., CAR-T cells), specifically on how we can overcome the glycocalyx barrier to make immune cells more effective in solid tumors. 

2. What inspired you to pursue research in your field? 

During my military service as a firefighter and EMT in South Korea, I once transported a patient with stage 4 lung cancer. At that moment, all I could do was provide oxygen and check his blood pressure, and that helplessness left a strong impression on me. Over time, I developed a sense of responsibility to help patients in ways that go beyond emergency care. That experience motivated me to train as a scientist, and with my background in physics, I chose to pursue cancer research where I could make a lasting impact. 

Daily Work & Routine 

3. What does a typical day look like for you as a postdoc? 

A typical day for me is a mix of structure and unpredictability. I try to stay organized, but experiments and meetings often bring unexpected challenges. I usually split my time between running experiments, analyzing datasets, thinking about the bigger picture of the projects, and discussing ideas with my lab mates. Every weekend, I plan most of my experiments and goals for the upcoming week, which helps me stay focused. And when I don’t have experiments to run, I spend more time reading papers or writing manuscripts and grants, often late at night, which helps me stay more focused. 

4. Do you have a favorite part of your daily routine—or a task you look forward to most? 

I really enjoy analyzing data and making figures, especially when the experiments work out. It gives me a clear, at-a-glance view of the story. If I feel stuck and can’t focus, I actually like doing cell culture, because it’s hands-on and grounding. But my favorite part is writing and reading at night. It usually feels stressful when I start, but once I get something done, even a small piece, it makes me really happy. 

5. What’s one part of your day that people might find surprising or unexpected? 

Probably cell culturing. Many people see it as a routine or even boring task, but for me it’s something I really enjoy. It’s simple, and once it’s done, I feel like I’ve accomplished something! 

Research & Impact 

6. Can you briefly describe your research project and why it matters? 

My research focuses on the glycocalyx, which is a sugar layer on the surface, ranging from nanometers to micrometers in thickness. Even though it’s just a thin layer, small changes at the nanometer scale in the glycocalyx can alter how immune cells recognize and kill cancer cells. In my project, I’m developing ways to overcome this barrier using cell-based immunotherapy. If we target this layer biophysically, we can make immune cells (e.g., CAR-T cells) work better in solid tumors. 

7. What’s the most exciting discovery or moment you’ve had during your postdoc so far? 

During my PhD, one of the most exciting discoveries for me was realizing that the biophysical properties of the glycocalyx can directly influence immune cell recognition and killing of cancer cells. That finding really shaped the direction of my career. In my postdoc, the most exciting moments have been when I received major grants: first the Damon Runyon Fellowship and then the NCI K99/R00 award. Those moments were exciting not only because of the recognition, but also because they gave me confidence that my research direction has real potential to make an impact. 

Personal Touch 

8. How do you balance life in the lab with life outside of it? 

Honestly, it’s not easy. I know I should manage my time better and spend more with my wife but experiments often run late and I sometimes feel sorry about that. I try to make up for it by keeping weekends for family and having dinner at home as much as possible. It’s a constant work in progress, but I’m learning to be more intentional about that balance. 

9. What hobbies or activities help you recharge after work? 

I like spending time walking or traveling with my wife on the weekends or at night. We enjoy taking short trips nearby or watching movies together. I also like meeting up with friends, which helps me reset outside of the lab. I’ve been wanting to play/practice golf, but honestly, my laziness keeps getting in the way. 

10. Any fun lab quirks? 

I’m a bit of a coffee addict. If someone in the lab shouts “coffee,” I’ll run over right away, as long as I’m not in the middle of something too important. Another quirk is that I take photos of almost everything during experiments. My memory isn’t great for details, so I use the pictures to organize my notes later and remind myself of what I did. 

Advice & Future 

11. What advice would you give to someone just starting a postdoc? 

Of course, research papers and funding are very important, but everyone already knows that. What often gets overlooked is how important the people around you are, especially postdoc fellows. They are your companions on this journey and the ones who truly understand the challenges you face. My advice is to invest in those relationships, spend time with your colleagues, both in and outside of the lab. When things get tough, scientifically or personally, those lab mates can become your biggest supporters. 

12. Where do you see yourself heading next in your career? 

I hope to become an independent investigator and start my own lab, but I know careers in science can be uncertain. What I do know is that I want to keep working on new ways to improve cell therapies for solid tumors and, in the long run, build a program where I can both help patients and mentor the next generation of scientists.