Born in Ithaca, New York, Michael Joo developed a practice rooted in the intersection of art and scientific inquiry. He has established a significant academic career, serving as a Senior Critic in Sculpture at Yale University and as an instructor within the MFA program at Columbia University.

Joo utilizes a diverse range of media, including sculpture, photography, printmaking, and painting. His work often examines the complexities of cultural heritage and the physical structures of transmission, frequently employing materials that evoke natural history and technological systems.

His work continues to be featured in major international art events, including the Unlimited sector at Art Basel, which showcases large-scale projects and installations by contemporary artists.