Yeeun Yoo is a researcher whose work focuses on the resistance movements and histories of Asian American communities, the impacts of U.S. militarism, mutual aid, queer resistance, gentrification of queer neighborhoods, and transnational feminism. She has conducted research through the Penn Institute for Urban Research’s undergraduate program, where she developed an independent project on student-led mutual aid initiatives in New York City under the mentorship of Barnard professor Dr. Mary Rocco. Currently, she serves as a research assistant for Dr. Melissa Wilde in Sociology, contributing to a project on the intersection of religion and politics. As an ASAM Fellow, Yeeun also explored South Korea’s conscription system and its role in shaping militarized masculinities, with a particular focus on the history of U.S. military occupation in the region. Her current senior thesis, supported by the Urban Studies Hassenfeld Grant, investigates the impacts of gentrification in both Philly’s Gayborhood and New Orleans’ gay neighborhoods. Beyond research, Yeeun is also a Civic Scholar with Civic House at Penn and a Penn IUR Fellow. She is deeply involved in community work as the Community Engagement Coordinator for Moder Patshala in West Philadelphia and as a volunteer of the People’s Kitchen in South Philadelphia.

• Asian American Studies Fellowship – presented research at the 2025 Spring Association for Asian American Studies Conference in Boston
• Baltzell Scholar with Penn Sociology
• The Hassenfeld Grant for Undergraduate Research in Urban Studies

My research interests lay within cultural criticism, specifically within film and the social dynamics it portrays and how it does it through the lenses of its creators. Looking at what might have caused patterns in the interests of marginalized communities despite gender is a main aspect of my research. I focus on the overlaps between the female and queer gazes, finding tropes or values that each gaze maintains and looking into what could have formed them. My passion for this topic comes from both my natural curiosity and that I plan to go into the entertainment industry. anI've worked with iHeart radio as a production intern and created an episode speaking on the correlation between the arts and trauma. Creating conversations about the connection between psychological and social happenings that were developed by history is what I love doing. Apart from my research and career goals, I have taken part as a directors of SPEC Sound for the first 2 years of my education and taken part in other groups such as Women in Animation as an outreach chair as a regular attending member at Penn before going abroad my 3rd year to London.

I am interested in political psychology and how cognition affects foreign policy in South Asia. I am looking to develop a project within these interests.

Previously, I have worked in centers research education psychology and policy. I have particularly worked on a project analyzing the psychological effects of rhetoric education in secondary school curriculum.  

Outside of UScholars, I am involved in Penn Democrats (got to meet Kamala Harris, John Legend, many other cool people through advocacy work!) and the International Affairs Association. I also work at the Netter Center for Community Partnership's High School Voter Project as a school site coordinator. I love to sing, and I am trained in South Indian classical music--I'm looking forward to getting involved with some music groups on campus as well.

I am a Syrian-American student at the University of Pennsylvania studying International Relations. As a University Scholar, I hope to focus my research on migration policy, border externalization, and human rights in the European Union and its effects on the MENA region. I’ve participated in Penn’s Global Seminar (PGS) in Sofia, Bulgaria where I met with members of Parliament and Bulgaria's President, exploring how EU membership has shaped national migration strategies. Additionally, I will be participating in the Lex Fellowship in Genoa, Italy, to further my knowledge in international law through mock cases and law firm visits.

Beyond my research, I’m deeply engaged in campus life; I serve as the Engagement Co-Chair for Penn Traditions, helping foster school spirit and alumni relations. I’m also the Finance Chair for the Middle Eastern and North African Pre-Law Society (MENAPLS), where I support pre-law programming for underrepresented communities. Additionally, I’m interning with the Office of New Student Orientation and Academic Initiatives, working to support incoming first-year students. Through these experiences, I hope to pursue a career in international law and diplomacy, with a focus on centering marginalized voices in policymaking.

• LEDA Career Fellowship
• Lex Fellowship
• HIFF Scholar

My research interests lie in the intersection of machine learning, causal inference, and medical science, particularly in understanding complex conditions like ADHD and Alzheimer’s. I currently work as a research assistant at the Shen Lab, where I contribute to projects focused on applying topological causal inference and machine learning methods to analyze large-scale medical datasets and transformer protein-ligand interactions. Outside of research, I am actively involved in the Wharton Investment & Trading Group, Penn Debate Society, and the University Life Space & Events (ULSE) Student Advisory Council.