• Contact Information  
• Educational and Professional Background
• Research/Creative Activities

Educational and Professional Background

Dr. Pae is currently an Assistant Professor and Research Director in the Department of Orthodontics. Dr. Pae received his DDS degree from Yonsei University in Korea, and MSc and PhD degrees from the University of British Columbia in Canada. He completed his postgraduate residency education in Orthodontics at the University of Connecticut in Farmington, Connecticut. He is currently eligible for the American Board of Orthodontics.

Research/Creative Activities

Dr. Pae has been performing his research pertinent to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is a relatively new, but not uncommon (2-24% prevalence) disease discovered in the mid-70's, characterized as repetitive cessation of breathing due to upper airway blockage during sleep. The symptoms include loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness from sleep disturbance. Due to the nature of the disease, OSA adversely affects the quality of life of both the sufferer and his/her family. There is compelling evidence that OSA is associated with systemic hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Furthermore, the patients are constantly exposed to accidents involving automobiles because of a poor sleep quality. Most patients are males over age 40 and the symptoms become severe with age. Dr. Pae's interest is on the tongue muscle fiber-type changes related to its pathophysiology as well as treatment modalities.