Although at times taxing, I believe that the hands-on experience that I get here in this lab is very special and unique and will be an invaluable asset for my future career.
Graduate research assistant, Jangho Yang, is in the final year of his master’s program with CEEE, where he conducts experimental research in the EEHP consortium group. He has worked a great deal on the final integration and testing of RoCo.
Jangho’s interest in CEEE began when he took an HVAC&R course as an upper-level elective during his undergraduate program at The University of Texas at Dallas, where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Since then his interest in HVAC&R has increased significantly, much of it resulting from the realization that through his work he could make contributions to energy savings and the environment.
“My time in EEHP so far has been excellent and I have been learning a lot about experimental work ever since I started,” he said. “Although at times taxing, I believe that the hands-on experience that I get here in this lab is very special and unique and will be an invaluable asset for my future career.”
Jangho said that diversity is one of his favorite aspects of CEEE, adding that he enjoys talking to his colleagues from many different backgrounds and cultures.
Returned to South Korea to serve in the military
After he received his bachelor’s degree, he returned to South Korea to complete his required military service for two years in order to maintain his dual citizenship with both South Korea and The United States. He was born in the U.S., while his father pursued a Ph.D. at a university in Texas and he lived here until the age of two. His family then moved back to South Korea, where he spent about 10 years, before he returned to the U.S. to go to high school and college.
Jangho reflected that the most valuable experience he had during his military service was as a squad leader.
Unlike most countries, South Korean males are 'required' to serve in the military. “You can imagine how difficult mentally and physically it is for some young males to involuntarily join the military,” he said.
“As a squad leader, I had to manage them and take care of them,” he said. “Through this, I was definitely able to grow as a person, as I was able to help out many of my squad members and subordinates by really opening up to them on a personal level and being a good listener.”
“However, ironically, I had learned more from them during that process,” he added.
While serving in the military, Jangho researched graduate programs and laboratories that aligned with his interests.
“CEEE was a perfect option for me because of the renowned professors in the field and the varieties of research that were being conducted at the center,” he said. “ I also wanted to try living in a different state and region because I love to experience a new environment whether it is a city, state, or even country.”
Post- graduation plan of continuing experimental work in the HVAC&R industry
After he graduates in May 2021, he intends his next step to be working in the industry but location is not a huge factor for his decision.
“Location isn't a huge factor for me because I have been moving around ever since I was young, and as I mentioned earlier, I love to experience different environments,” he said. “However, I feel like I did not get to properly experience the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) area due to the ongoing pandemic, therefore, getting a job in the DMV area is one of my preferred options at the moment.”
He ideally would like to either keep doing the experimental work regarding HVAC&R or work at a company where he can be involved in solving the energy challenges of the built environments. And after he gains enough experience in the industry, he plans to study for a PE license to open more doors for his future.
Outside of research Jangho enjoys many different hobbies like working out, traveling and watching professional soccer when there isn’t a pandemic.
“I love to go to the gym for weight training, as it is definitely a perfect stress-reliever for me and it keeps me healthy and resilient,” He said. “I also love traveling. Trying out local foods and meeting new people in different cultures are my favorite aspects of traveling.”
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