He worked on the structure-function relation of phytochromes and other photoreceptors including stentorin and blepharismin.
Presently, his research revolves around the molecular mechanisms involved in overexpression of phytochrome and its related genes in turfgrass and other plant species.
Born in Osaka, Japan, he studied agricultural chemistry (Bachelor of Science, 1959) at Seoul National University.
and pursued postgraduate studies, receiving a (Master of Science, 1961) at Seoul National University.
After a post-doctoral research fellowship at Iowa State University under Prof. David E. Metzler from 1964–65, he then joined Texas Tech Univ, Lubbock, Texas, USA as Assistant Professor in Chemistry.