Lee Ji-sun, a burns victim renowned for her messages of hope, love and self-acceptance, will teach at a local university starting this March, her new employer said Tuesday.

The 39-year-old will be formally appointed as a professor at the school’s department of counselling psychology and social welfare, once the administrative proceedings are cleared, said Handong Global University in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. 

A graduate of Ewha Womans University, Lee earned her master’s degrees in rehab sciences from Boston University and in social work from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in social work from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

She is best known as the author of “I Love You, Ji-sun,” published in 2003. The autobiography is her recount of the tragic accident that left the 55 percent of her body severely burned and her struggles to carry on with life despite the scars. 

By Song Seung-hyun (schoni@heraldcorp.com)