“UNIST offers a unique environment suited for people who are interested in research,” says Dr. Robert J. Mitchell who is an associate Professor of Life Sciences at UNIST.
For future students considering a degree at UNIST, Dr. Mitchell gives his top reasons why they should choose UNIST.
Dr. Mitchell believes that “UNIST consists of talented young pioneers who are willing to take risks and try things that no one could guarantee would be successful.” According to him, “It is this pioneering spirit that continues to drive UNIST forward to be the best.”
“[Another] clear benefit here at UNIST is its state-of-the-art research equipment and facilities,” says Dr. Mitchell. “[And] this has allowed me to delve deeper into my research and to publish outstanding papers.”
Moreover, Dr. Mitchell notes that “UNIST offers a unique environment that inspires all students to embrace their unlimited possibilities,” says Dr. Mitchell. He continues by saying, “Each lab at UNIST is open to everyone, interested in research and welcomes the idea of undergraduates working in them, so possibilities are unlimited.”
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring young scientists, Dr. Mitchell responded: “I think one should feel passionate about science, be excited about what they are doing, and more importantly, follow their dreams. Don’t necessarily take the first option but the best one that suits you and your dreams. Work in a field where the passion, not the paycheck, drives you everyday.”
In 2008, Dr. Robert J. Mitchell joined the faculty of UNIST as an Assistant Professor with research and teaching focus in various areas of applied microbiology, including medical sciences, chemical engineering, and bioenergy.
Dr. Robert J. Mitchell wears many academic hats. Recently, Dr. Mitchell’s research team received about $1.3 million dollars in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through the U.S Army Research Office (ARO) to develop treatment and prevention approaches against bacteria-associated infections in humans. In addition to this recent DARPA grant, Dr. Mitchell is the recipient of Creative Idea Award from Defense Acquisition Program Administration (2012-2014). He has been also serving as an Honorary Envoy to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for the last couple of years.
He received his bachelor’s degree in the field of Microbiology and Chemistry from University of Illinois, U.S. and his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea. In 2004, he received his Ph.D. in the same field from GIST. Prior to joining UNIST, he was a Postdoctoral Research fellow in the Oral Pathogens Group at Forsyth Dental Institute, Boston, MA, U.S. from 2004 to 2007. Shortly after, he also served as Invited Scientist in the Division of Bioenergy at Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) from 2007 to 2008.
