Dr. Yoon's research focuses on the study of different cell types involved in melanoma metastasis. In particular, he is interested in the interaction between the melanoma cells and the surrounding tumor stroma. To that end, he has concentrated on metastatic melanoma samples obtained from patients undergoing operations for advanced stage malignant melanoma for complete resection or for palliation of symptoms. Combining the roles of a surgeon and a researcher, Dr. Yoon has been spearheading the projects that identify appropriate patients, allocate samples for research after surgery, catalog the samples under appropriate IRB-approved protocols, and generate experimental data. Between 2010 and 2015, over 110 patient derived tissue samples were obtained and cataloged, from which at least 150 clonal and sub-clonal cell lines were generated by his lab.