Sean Jeon | Parkland High School | Founder of Ethos Medicina

My curiosity about microbes began long before I entered a research lab. In elementary school, I created a science fair project titled “Micro-Strangers at Your Home,” where I explored the invisible microorganisms present on everyday surfaces in my house. Discovering how many unseen microbes existed in familiar spaces led me to a question that has stayed with me since: how can something so small have such a significant impact on our health?

That early curiosity gradually evolved into a deeper interest in understanding how microbes can be studied, manipulated, and ultimately used to help people. This led me to pursue research on microbial derived therapeutics, where I investigated how bacterial products could be applied to address infection and inflammation.

Through my work at Penn State, I studied biofilm related infection resistance in Pseudomonas putida and explored the anti inflammatory effects of bacteriocins such as nisin on immune cells. These experiences showed me that scientific discovery is rarely straightforward. Repeated challenges, unexpected results, and the need to redesign experiments required persistence, critical thinking, and careful interpretation of data.

At the same time, my clinical experiences revealed that the transition from laboratory findings to patient care is not simply a scientific process. Physicians must make decisions under uncertainty, balancing potential benefits with risks that are not always fully understood. I began to recognize that developing a therapy is only part of the challenge. Determining when and how it should be used is equally important.

Ethos Medicina was created to explore this intersection of research, clinical practice, and ethical decision making. This platform examines how emerging therapies can be understood and applied responsibly, and how thoughtful reasoning can guide decisions that directly affect patient outcomes.

Rather than offering definitive answers, this work is driven by a commitment to asking better questions. As medicine continues to advance, I believe that responsible innovation requires not only scientific progress, but also a deeper consideration of its human impact.

Sean Jeon
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Parkland High School (Class 2028)