ソウル大学、KAIST、延世大学など韓国QSトップ10大学の研究室情報です。
Professor Jaeho Kim's research lab specializes in translational neuroscience and biomarker discovery in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a focus on understanding the genetic, biochemical, and neuroimaging underpinnings of disease progression. The lab investigates the role of key risk factors such as APOE4, migraine history, and plasma biomarkers (e.g., p-tau217, NfL, GFAP) in modulating cognitive decline and neurodegeneration across different AD subtypes. Utilizing advanced machine learning models and multimodal data from large-scale cohorts like ADNI, the lab develops predictive tools for early detection and prognosis of prodromal and symptomatic AD. Additionally, the lab explores bioactive peptides from microbial sources, such as ACE-inhibitory peptides from *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, highlighting a translational interest in natural compounds for neurovascular and metabolic health.
Professor Ik-Hyun Cho's research lab specializes in translational pharmacology and herbal medicine, focusing on the neuroprotective and metabolic regulatory effects of traditional Korean herbal formulations and active ginseng components. The lab investigates the pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as endocrine and reproductive disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), using preclinical animal models. Key research directions include elucidating the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormone-modulating mechanisms of compounds such as Panax ginseng, Korean red ginseng, gintonin, and Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK).
Professor Sang Hee Kim's research lab focuses on plant innate immunity, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying effector-triggered immunity (ETI) in *Arabidopsis thaliana*. The lab investigates nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors, their activation mechanisms, and the regulatory networks that fine-tune immune responses to balance defense and growth. Key research directions include the engineering of disease resistance through endogenous immune receptors, the identification of novel immune regulators such as SRFR1, and the dissection of signaling pathways involving NLR complexes and transcriptional control. The lab employs genetic, molecular, and cell biological approaches to uncover conserved principles of plant immune surveillance and regulation.
Professor Hyewon Lee's research lab focuses on the environmental and public health impacts of air pollution, particularly its effects on neurological and respiratory diseases. The lab investigates the short- and long-term associations between ambient air pollutants—such as PM₂.₅, NO₂, and O₃—and the incidence or exacerbation of conditions including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, migraine, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. A key research direction involves understanding how environmental stressors, including dust storms and high temperatures, interact with air pollution to influence health outcomes, especially in urban and aging populations. The lab also contributes to public health policy by identifying modifiable risk factors and informing preventive strategies.
Professor Dong Woo Kim's research lab specializes in advanced functional materials for optoelectronic and smart responsive systems. The lab focuses on developing high-performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) through innovative light-outcoupling structures using high-refractive-index polymers and nanomaterials, while also exploring mechanophores like spiropyran for real-time stress/strain sensing in polymers. Another key direction involves plasma-assisted deposition techniques to fabricate functional polymer films—such as polydopamine analogs—preserving critical functional groups for applications in adhesion, sensing, and surface engineering. The lab integrates materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface science to design multifunctional materials with tailored optical, electrical, and mechanical properties.
Professor Sang-Won Um's research lab specializes in advancing diagnostic accuracy and staging precision in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a focus on improving preoperative evaluation through molecular imaging and endoscopic techniques. The lab investigates the role of PET/CT in predicting occult nodal metastasis, particularly in early-stage NSCLC, and explores the integration of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) with esophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) to enhance mediastinal nodal staging. Their work emphasizes clinical translation of multimodal imaging and minimally invasive procedures to optimize surgical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Professor Docheon Ahn's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced functional materials for next-generation energy storage devices, with a primary focus on sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries. The lab investigates layered oxide cathodes, doped olivine-structured materials, and nanostructured surface coatings to enhance electrochemical performance, structural stability, and ion diffusion kinetics. Through a combination of advanced materials characterization, computational optimization, and innovative surface engineering techniques such as in-situ polymerization, the lab develops high-performance cathode materials with tailored electronic and ionic conductivity. Their work bridges fundamental materials science with practical battery applications, aiming to enable sustainable and high-energy-density energy storage systems.
Professor Jung-Hwan Kwon's research lab specializes in environmental chemistry and analytical science, focusing on microplastics and chemical contaminants in food and water systems. The lab investigates the occurrence, fate, and risk assessment of microplastics and associated pollutants—particularly phthalate plasticizers and endocrine-disrupting chemicals—in freshwater, wastewater, and consumer products. Key research directions include developing advanced analytical methods for microplastic isolation and identification, measuring partition coefficients to predict environmental and biological behavior, and evaluating human exposure through food and children’s products.
Professor Seong Soo Jeon's research lab focuses on urological oncology and minimally invasive urological surgery, with a strong emphasis on improving treatment outcomes for bladder cancer and ureteral stones. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms of drug resistance, particularly in cisplatin-treated bladder cancer, and explores the synergistic effects of natural compounds like curcumin in enhancing apoptosis through ROS and ERK signaling pathways. In endourology, the lab evaluates advanced lithotripsy techniques such as holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and develops strategies for optimal stent placement to reduce complications. The lab also compares surgical approaches like laparoscopic and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, highlighting improvements in postoperative recovery and quality of life.
Professor René Weber's research lab specializes in the psychological and neurocognitive effects of digital media, with a primary focus on violent video games and flow experiences in interactive entertainment. The lab employs advanced neuroimaging techniques—particularly fMRI—to investigate how individual gameplay experiences, physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance), and cognitive processes such as attention and reward regulation interact during media engagement. A central research direction involves refining statistical methodologies in communication research, promoting the use of effect sizes, confidence intervals, and equivalence testing to improve the rigor and interpretability of empirical findings. The lab also explores how individual differences—such as risk involvement or skill level—modulate media effects, emphasizing personalized and experience-based approaches to media psychology.
Professor Sung Jin Cho's research lab specializes in computational and medicinal chemistry, with a focus on quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, rational drug design, and the development of novel therapeutic agents. The lab employs advanced computational techniques such as Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and innovative methods like q2-GRS to optimize drug candidates targeting neurological and oncological diseases. Additionally, the lab investigates functional nanomaterials, including Fe/Au nanoparticles, for potential applications in biomedicine and materials science. Their interdisciplinary approach bridges computational chemistry, structural biology, and synthetic pharmacology to advance drug discovery and materials development.
Professor Gill Sang Han's research lab specializes in advanced materials for next-generation optoelectronic devices, with a primary focus on perovskite-based solar cells and resistive memory devices. The lab investigates novel electron transport layers, interfacial engineering, and defect passivation strategies—such as using reduced graphene oxide, MgO nanolayers, and chlorinated SnO₂—to enhance charge transport and device stability. A key research direction involves developing stable perovskite precursors and hybrid heterostructures (e.g., 2D/3D perovskites) to improve device longevity and performance. The lab also explores low-temperature solution-processed methods for scalable and cost-effective fabrication of high-efficiency, stable perovskite devices.
Professor Sung-Han Sim's research lab specializes in structural health monitoring and non-destructive evaluation of civil infrastructure using advanced sensing technologies and computer vision. The lab focuses on developing low-cost, non-contact, and automated methods for crack detection, displacement measurement, and cable tension monitoring through UAVs, image processing, 3D point clouds, and wireless smart sensors. Key research directions include integrating deep learning with structural inspection, enabling real-time and remote monitoring of bridges and other civil structures.
Professor Pilhan Kim's research lab specializes in advanced intravital imaging technologies to study dynamic biological processes in living organisms at the cellular and subcellular level. The lab focuses on developing real-time, high-resolution microscopy systems—particularly confocal and multiphoton endoscopy—for in vivo visualization of physiological and pathological events in organs such as the intestine, lung, brain, and microvasculature. Key research directions include understanding lymphatic transport in the gut, blood-brain barrier dysfunction in cerebral microinfarction, and circulating tumor cell dynamics in real time. The lab integrates innovative imaging platforms with genetically engineered mouse models to enable quantitative, longitudinal analysis of disease mechanisms in vivo.
Professor Young June Choe's research lab specializes in epidemiology and infectious disease control, with a focus on viral and bacterial infections, vaccination strategies, and the impact of public health interventions. The lab investigates seasonal patterns of human coronaviruses, the effectiveness of infection prevention measures like social distancing, and the epidemiology of foodborne pathogens such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. It also examines disparities in vaccine coverage and the role of international travel in disease importation, aiming to inform national immunization policies and public health practices in South Korea and beyond.
Professor Minsu Park's research lab specializes in atmospheric aerosol science, with a focus on understanding aerosol–cloud interactions, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) characteristics, and the chemical and physical properties of aerosols in diverse environments. The lab conducts long-term field measurements across urban, rural, marine, and polar regions to improve climate model accuracy and reduce uncertainties in radiative forcing. Key research directions include size-resolved hygroscopicity, new particle formation, and the development of advanced data-driven methods for CCN prediction using machine learning and chemical analysis.
Professor Heejin Kimm's research lab specializes in epidemiological and clinical studies focusing on metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The lab investigates biomarkers such as bilirubin, lipid ratios, and liver function markers in relation to stroke, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and mortality. A key focus is on improving risk prediction models through readily available clinical indicators, particularly in aging populations and specific subgroups like men or elderly patients.
Professor Young-Ha Kim's research lab specializes in advanced materials synthesis and characterization, with a focus on functional polymers, particularly end-functionalized polylactides for biomedical and sustainable applications. The lab also conducts cutting-edge research in atmospheric science, particularly gravity wave dynamics and the quasi-biennial oscillation, using high-resolution reanalysis data and multiscale modeling. Additionally, the lab contributes to aerospace engineering through innovative control system design for precision actuation in magnetic disk drives. These diverse research directions reflect a strong emphasis on materials innovation, environmental fluid dynamics, and advanced mechatronics.
Professor Jinkyu Lee's research lab specializes in advanced materials and electronic systems with a focus on energy-efficient electronics, functional nanomaterials, and reliable embedded computing. The lab develops low-power test techniques for integrated circuits, designs stable and high-performance nanocomposite materials for energy and optoelectronic applications, and explores innovative solutions for power management in multi-core systems. Research spans from fundamental material synthesis—such as fluorescent silica nanoparticles and ion-conducting films—to practical applications in LEDs and real-time embedded systems.
Professor Dai-Sik Kim's research lab specializes in nanophotonics and plasmonics, focusing on the design, fabrication, and application of ultrasmall metallic nanogaps and nanostructures for advanced optical and electronic devices. The lab explores quantum phenomena in sub-10 nm metallic gaps, dynamic tunability of plasmonic properties via mechanical deformation, and the integration of these structures with liquid environments and low-dimensional materials. Key research directions include ultra-sensitive molecular detection, active plasmonic modulation, and the development of nanoscale optoelectronic devices with applications in sensing, low-power photonics, and quantum electronics.
