The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.
Q+A
Meet Jeffrey Han, Director, Research Administration, Yale Department of Internal Medicine
Jeffrey Han, who joined the department in March 2026, finds great satisfaction in tackling complex challenges to enable groundbreaking research.
Why did you decide to work at Yale School of Medicine?
I chose Yale School of Medicine because it represents the premier opportunity for a research administrator. The complexity of the grants portfolio and the chance to work alongside some of the world's leading researchers made it an easy career choice. There is no better environment to grow and contribute as a research administration professional.
How did you become interested in your line of work?
Honestly, it was by luck. After living as an expat in South Korea and transitioning out of the financial sector, I found myself at a crossroads. Fortunately, I had a wonderful mentor who introduced me to the world of research administration and showed me the full scope of what this field has to offer. From that moment, I never looked back.
Have you been involved in any projects you are particularly proud of?
One of the projects I am most proud of is leading the rollout of a salary distribution system at my previous institution. It was a three-year initiative focused on ensuring all salary types met federal compliance requirements while also building full automation in the Oracle Cloud Grants management system.
Another project that holds a special place for me was serving as a responsible officer for incoming J1 visa holders. In that role, I had the privilege of welcoming new exchange visitors and helping them acclimate to life in the New York Metro area. It was a uniquely human side of administrative work that I found incredibly meaningful.
What is the most rewarding part of your career?
The most rewarding part of my career is knowing that the work I do directly enables groundbreaking research. Behind every major discovery is a team of administrators ensuring that funding, compliance, and operations run smoothly.
At the same time, I find great satisfaction in tackling complex challenges and finding solutions that make a real difference for researchers and staff. Research administration is never static, and that constant evolution keeps the work exciting and meaningful.
What do you enjoy about working at Yale?
What I enjoy most about working at Yale is the people. From the researchers pushing the boundaries of their fields to the administrative colleagues who bring expertise and dedication to everything they do, I am constantly learning and growing from those around me.
What is a fun fact about you?
I come from a very large family. Between Singapore and New York, I have 23 first cousins, so family gatherings are never short on ribbing or laughter!
Tell us one piece of advice you will never forget.
Take a step back and breathe.