Hi, I’m Suhwan

FIg. 1. A, Collection of samples for the taxonomic classification of anemone(Metridium farcimen), my master’s thesis topic, by myself; B, In July 2021, we collected the ARMS(Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures), a joint project with NOAA.

FIg. 2. A, Assisted in tracking the distribution of submerged marine microplastic debris; B, Providing support for underwater oxygen saturation monitoring using an EC(Eddy Covariance) system.

Fig. 3. A, Participated in monthly monitoring programs to assess seasonal macroalgal status; B, The research vessel-based survey team detected an unusual seaweed using a towed camera system, and I later collected this previously unrecorded species at a depth of 50m in Dokdo.

Fig. 4. A-B, Collected specimens of Metridium sp. for taxonomic classification using multiple preservation methods, including fixation in 3% formalin, preservation in 99% ethanol, and temporary storage in seawater-filled iceboxes for transport. (Master’s thesis)

* Master’s thesis: Identified morphological and nematocystic differences in Metridium sp., resulting in the division of a single species into two species—a new record from Korea.

Fig. 5. A, Co-authored A New Record of Solitary Coral, Paracyathus rotundatus (Anthozoa: Scleractinia: Caryophylliidae) from Korea and measured calicular diameter ratios for classification (Article link); B, I was trying to improve the classification reliability of the two Metridium sp species using mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal genes. However, as shown in Heather Glon(Heather Glon et al., 2021)’s work, mitochondrial DNA in anthozoans evolves too slowly to distinguish closely related species. This is why recent coral and anemone studies—including Glon’s—use high-resolution genomic approaches such as sequence-capture and ddRAD instead of relying on mitochondrial markers alone. However, in Korea, there was no institution supporting ddRAD sequencing or sequence capture.

Fig. 6. A, Documented the first record of Dendronephthya castanea from Ulleung Island, 392 miles north of the previously known distribution limit; B, Sea ​​horse, a marine protected species(Book).

Conducted a faunal study of Anthozoa in Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands(Non-reported).

Provided underwater photography and specimen documentation support for the article A New Record of Epizoic Hydroid, Ectopleura radiata, from Korea(Article link).

Fig. 7. A, Komodo National Park, Indonesia; B, La Paz, Mexico; C, Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia.

• Author of Dokdo, that Sky, and Sea (1st author of the book).

• Solo writer of a 27-installment underwater exploration series in Science Dong-A(Magazine).

• Photographer for Marine Protected Species of Dokdo and Ulleungdo(Book).

Fig. 8. A, On the Brown macroalgae(Sargassum horneri) forest – 1st Prize, at KIOST in 2023. Ulleung Island, Korea; B, Sea squirt and symbiotic shrimp; B, Sea squirt and symbiotic shrimp, 1st prize Magazine of Scuba Diver in 2020. Lembeh, Indonesia.

• Author of Dokdo, that Sky, and Sea (1st author of the book).

• Solo writer of a 27-installment underwater exploration series in Science Dong-A(Magazine).

• Photographer for Marine Protected Species of Dokdo and Ulleungdo(Book).

• Recipient of multiple underwater photography awards and featured in various exhibitions.

• Completed over 1,300 dives across temperatures ranging from 1°C to 40°C and visibility from 50 cm to 50 m.

• GUE Tech 1 Diver (51 m / 170 ft) with Trimix since 2022.

• GUE Gas Blender since 2022.

• TDI Deco Diver (45 m / 150 ft) with Nitrox since 2020.

• Liberty CCR Deco Diver (40 m) with Nitrox since 2025.

• Razor Side-Mount Diver.

• SDI Instructor (since 2017).

• AIDA2 Free Diver (23 m).

Fig. 9. A, DPV Trimix decompression diving for coral reef distribution survey; B, Trimix decompression diving, my wedding proposal, underwater depth 45m with 7°C(44.6°F), East Sea, Korea.

Fig. 10. A, Under the ICE diving, that temperature was -1~ -2°C(30-28.4°F) at the TDI ICE diving festival; B, Bohol CCR decompression practice diving with a trainer. Of course, Marine animals were less likely to run away from CCR divers than open circuit divers.