Global Roster - Huijeong Kim
Huijeong Kim is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Kansas. She grew up in South Korea and earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees in architectural engineering from Hanyang University before coming to America and completing her Ph.D. in civil engineering at Purdue University.
Her research focuses on smart buildings, high-performance building systems and human-building interactions. She’s particularly interested in how technology and human decision-making can work together to create more energy-efficient, resilient and sustainable communities.
Why does your research matter outside of the lab and/or classroom?
Buildings account for nearly 40% of total energy use in the United States, making them one of the greatest opportunities for improving energy efficiency and resilience. My research has evolved from studying building mechanical systems to understanding how people interact with technology in the built environment. Those experiences taught me that meaningful solutions require integrating engineering, technology, human behavior and community needs.
I'm leading an NSF-funded project exploring how retired electric vehicle batteries can be repurposed into affordable community energy storage systems, helping improve energy resilience for communities that are more vulnerable to power disruptions.
What is your favorite thing about Lawrence and the University of Kansas? What about your home country do you miss the most?
Favorite things about Lawrence (too many to list): I love the friendly people, the vibrant downtown with its great coffee shops and restaurants, the beautiful rolling hills around Lawrence and the Jayhawk Tennis Center.
What I miss most about South Korea: my family and the variety of landscapes from the mountains to the sea. I used to miss Korean fried chicken a lot, but thankfully, that's no longer a problem thanks to 92 Chicken in Lawrence!
What drew you to KU to teach?
KU has one of the nation's longest-standing architectural engineering programs, which made it a very special place for me. I was excited by the opportunity to work with outstanding students and colleagues in such a collaborative environment while contributing to a program with a strong tradition in building systems engineering.
Are you rooting for anyone in the World Cup? Has it brought up any memories or traditions from home for you?
I'm not a big soccer fan, so I don't closely follow the players or matches. However, the World Cup always reminds me of the 2002 FIFA World Cup when South Korea and Japan co-hosted the tournament. I was young then, but I still remember the excitement. Everyone was out on the streets wearing red and cheering together. It was amazing to see the whole country united in celebration, and it's a memory I'll never forget.
