Jason Choi

ABCD Study Team

What is your name? Where were you born? Where did you go to college?

My name is Jason Choi, and I was born in Seoul, South Korea. I moved to the United States when I was less than 2 years old and have lived here ever since. I graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science as well as a Master of Arts degree in Bioethics & Medical Humanities in May of 2021. Soon after graduation, I worked as a behavior technician for a year and a half before starting in ABCD.    

What interests you about the ABCD Study/research?

As an aspiring clinical psychologist, I have always been interested in learning more about child and adolescent mental health. One of my goals is to treat clients from underserved populations through holistic means. The ABCD Study is the largest long-term study on adolescent brain development, and I am impressed by its diverse scope and approach. Because of this, I hope to answer many questions by contributing to this project. In particular, I am interested in exploring the impact of screen usage on brain development as well as how an adolescent’s self-perception and personal identity are linked to their progression in mental health.

How long have you worked in the department and what does your work focus on / what area do you work in?

I joined the ABCD Study in February 2023 as a part-time research assistant and have been mainly tasked with conducting youth protocols for in-person visits. 

What are your plans after ABCD (grad school, etc.)?

I plan to enroll in a PhD program in clinical psychology with a focus on child/adolescent psychology. Eventually, I hope to become a clinician treating children with depression, anxiety, and stress and also pursue research in interdisciplinary topics such as culture-bound syndromes, expressive therapies, and stigma associated with mental illness.

 

What’s your favorite food or restaurant?

It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite food or restaurant since I like almost everything, but I have always been a big connoisseur of sushi and Korean barbeque!

Fun fact about yourself! What are your hobbies?

I am able to lucid dream at my own will! It took practice, but I managed to find a way to control my dreams. In my free time, I enjoy jogging, painting, photography, playing keyboard and guitar, and cooking new dishes.