Clara Chae Young Seo

About Clara Chae Young Seo

Clara Chae Young Seo was born in South Korea and grew up tending her grandmother’s farm in Geoje. There, she planted, cultivated, and harvested chili peppers, ginger, sweet potatoes, and more—food that sustained both their household and the local community. This early experience instilled in Clara a deep sense of service. After a brief time in Korea, her family lived first in Singapore, then Germany, finally settling in the United States when Clara was 12. In upstate New York, her parents set aside their professional careers to run a dry-cleaning business, where Clara worked alongside her family to support their community—much like they had on the family farm in Geoje.

Clara earned degrees in chemistry and statistics at Amherst College. She worked with Professor Christopher Durr to develop titanium catalysts for synthesizing biodegradable polymers. After graduating, Clara expanded on her chemical and statistical expertise at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. In David Takeda’s lab, she investigated the epigenetics of prostate cancer by sampling blood plasma. Her research demonstrated plasma chromatin profiling as a minimally invasive biomarker diagnostic strategy, advancing its potential to inform personalized clinical decision-making.

Currently, Clara is pursuing her PhD in chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Working with Professor Karthish Manthiram, she focuses on developing bio-electrochemical systems for sustainable energy and chemical production. Her research investigates the mechanisms by which bacteria interface with renewable electricity and engineers new ways to drive biochemical conversions.

Beyond her research, Clara maintained a deep commitment to teaching, from inorganic chemistry labs and data science workshops to emergency medical technician (EMT) training sessions and Taekwondo dojangs. Her dedication to both education and research earned her the Everette H. Pryde Award at Amherst. Now, as a graduate co-director of the Caltech Project for Effective Teaching, she fosters creativity in classroom pedagogy. Whether as a molecular d-orbital enthusiast, former EMT, or first-degree black belt, Clara finds joy in creating inclusive learning spaces.