Chimes Alumni Feature: Jong Yoon Lee ’14
From learning the basics of building robots in high school to engineering intricate biosensors in college, Jong Yoon (John) Lee ’14 has earned national recognition alongside some of the nation’s top health professionals. He was recently named a member of the Forbes “30 Under 30” list in the healthcare division.
Lee graduated from the University of Illinois in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. As a research assistant with Northwestern University, he was part of a team that created wearable biosensors to monitor vital signs in premature and newborn infants. These thin, flexible, wireless monitoring systems are now used throughout the world in neonatal care units to collect vital sign data — detecting algorithms, spotting abnormalities, and tracking treatments. Ultimately, these biosensors allow healthcare professionals to efficiently and accurately care for one of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
“It is an honor to be a part of developing something for a population group that doesn’t necessarily have a voice for themselves yet.” Lee continues, “Being able to have these sensors monitor the vital signs of the most fragile babies and adults, and distributing them across the world to places where they have very little is why I have continued to do what I do.”
He credits Westminster’s robotics team with not only sparking his interest in software engineering but also using it to advance God’s Kingdom. He’s never lost sight of the team’s mission to use their gifts as agents of community improvement and a canvas for self-expression. The global impact of the wireless biosensors is just one example of Lee’s continued commitment.
Keeping Westminster’s core value of leading with service close to him as he sends biosensors throughout the world, Lee has personally seen how these devices serve those who would otherwise not have access to such advanced technology.
“It was one of the most eye-opening experiences for me when I went to Zambia for the first time; I got to see the faces of nurses who were so excited and thankful to have this technology.”
Today, Lee works at Sibel Health, a medical technology company seeking to provide “Better Health Data for All”. As a cofounder, he had the opportunity to shape its values, which focus on honoring God and his image-bearers globally. Sibel Health has deployed biosensors to more than 24 countries around the world including Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, and India.
“We really believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have the chance to use this technology, which is why it was so important for us to deploy them overseas to developing nations.”
The Forbes “30 under 30” lists recognize only 600 business and industry figures, divided into 20 different industries. The healthcare division recognized Lee because his company’s biosensors are saving lives and creating a more equitable future. Westminster’s vision is to engage and equip the next generation to impact the world for Jesus Christ, and it is a joy to see one of our own living out this vision so beautifully.
This article was originally published in our alumni magazine, Chimes. Read more from this year’s issue.
