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 Yun-Jae Kim's research lab specializes in mechanical behavior and structural integrity of engineering materials and components under extreme loading conditions, with a strong focus on fracture mechanics, fatigue, and plasticity. The lab conducts advanced finite element analysis and experimental testing to evaluate the performance of materials such as austenitic stainless steel and structural components like nuclear casks, piping elbows, and offshore wind turbine foundations. Key research directions include strain-based assessment, limit load and J-integral evaluation, and the development of accurate material models for predicting failure under multi-axial stress, strain rate, and cyclic loading. The lab also contributes to code evaluation and optimization of structural design for nuclear and renewable energy applications.
Professor Seunghoon Shin's research lab specializes in the development of innovative, atom-economical, and sustainable transition-metal-catalyzed and metal-free transformations for complex molecule synthesis. The lab focuses on designing novel redox processes, particularly gold-catalyzed cascade reactions, to access valuable nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes, isoindoles, and pyrrolidinones through unique mechanistic pathways. A key theme is the generation of reactive intermediates—like azomethine ylides and vinyl gold species—via intramolecular redox processes, avoiding hazardous reagents such as diazo compounds. The work emphasizes mechanistic insight, functional group tolerance, and synthetic efficiency, enabling diverse and selective C–C and C–heteroatom bond formations under mild conditions.
Professor Christopher Seungkyu Lee's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research with a strong emphasis on ophthalmology, surgical outcomes, and molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression. The lab investigates genetic regulation in human diseases, particularly alternative splicing and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, in conditions such as glaucoma and retinal disorders. Clinical studies are also a key component, examining anatomical and functional predictors of surgical success in ophthalmic procedures, including glaucoma drainage implantation and orbital fracture repair. The lab integrates molecular diagnostics with clinical imaging and outcomes research to identify biomarkers and improve patient stratification and treatment planning.
Professor Xiaoyan Jin's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage applications. The lab focuses on defect engineering, heterostructure integration, and lattice engineering to develop high-performance electrocatalysts and nanocomposites for sustainable energy technologies. Key research directions include the creation of atomically thin, holey metal phosphides, MXene-based catalyst supports, and hybrid nanomaterials combining graphene, metal oxides, and fullerene for enhanced electrochemical performance.
Professor Duck Cho's research lab specializes in natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy for cancer, focusing on the ex vivo expansion and activation of NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy. The lab develops innovative feeder cell systems—particularly K562 cells genetically engineered to express costimulatory ligands such as OX40L and membrane-bound IL-15—to drive robust, clinical-grade NK cell expansion. A key focus is understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying NK cell proliferation and cytotoxicity, especially through receptor-ligand interactions like OX40-OX40L and NKG2D ligands. The lab also investigates tumor immune evasion mechanisms, particularly in glioblastoma, to inform combination immunotherapies.
Professor Chulhee Lee's research lab specializes in visual quality assessment, image and video processing, and medical image analysis. The lab focuses on developing objective video quality metrics by leveraging human visual system characteristics, such as sensitivity to edge degradation and spatiotemporal frequency response, using advanced signal processing techniques like wavelet transforms and sampling theory. A significant part of the lab’s work also involves automated medical image analysis, particularly the segmentation of anatomical structures like the corpus callosum in brain MR images using statistical and shape-based algorithms. The lab bridges perceptual modeling with practical applications in adaptive video streaming and clinical imaging.
Professor Ja-Lok Ku's research lab focuses on cancer biology with a strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal, gastric, and other gastrointestinal cancers. The lab investigates epigenetic regulation—particularly DNA methylation—of tumor suppressor genes, explores the role of microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and evaluates repurposed drugs like metformin for their anticancer effects. The lab also maintains a comprehensive collection of well-characterized human cancer cell lines, which serve as essential tools for in vitro cancer research and drug screening.
Professor Jin Sook Yoon's research lab focuses on the pathophysiology of Graves' orbitopathy (GO), with a central emphasis on understanding the roles of oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in orbital fibroblasts. The lab investigates natural compounds such as quercetin for their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies for GO. Additionally, the lab explores clinical ophthalmic conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction in patients with ocular prostheses and rare complications of cosmetic procedures, including vascular occlusion from dermal fillers. Their work bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical ophthalmology, particularly in autoimmune and inflammatory orbital diseases.
Professor Ho Gyu Yoon's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced functional materials, with a focus on conductive polymer composites, dielectric phantoms for electromagnetic simulation, epoxy resin curing kinetics, and dynamic polymer networks. The lab investigates the structure-property relationships of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metal nanoparticles to enhance electrical, thermal, and electromagnetic shielding performance. A key research direction involves creating stimuli-responsive and self-healing materials through dynamic covalent chemistry, particularly using polysulfide-based networks. The lab also develops predictive kinetic models for polymer curing systems to optimize processing and performance in high-performance applications.
Professor Greg S. B. Suh's research lab focuses on the neural and cellular mechanisms underlying nutrient sensing, metabolism, and behavior in *Drosophila*. The lab investigates how brain circuits, particularly those involving DH44, CN, and cupcake neurons, integrate metabolic signals to regulate sleep, locomotion, and feeding decisions. Using advanced tools such as genetically encoded calcium indicators and deep learning-based 3D behavioral analysis, the lab explores inter-organ communication, including the gut-brain axis, and the role of secreted factors like CIF in mediating social information about nutritional value. The work bridges systems neuroscience with physiology and metabolism, often leveraging *Drosophila* as a model for conserved biological principles.
Professor Xiangzhou Yuan's research lab specializes in sustainable materials development and environmental remediation, focusing on converting biomass and plastic waste into high-performance functional materials for carbon capture, heavy metal removal, and waste-to-energy conversion. The lab integrates machine learning and experimental validation to optimize the synthesis of biochar and activated carbon with tailored porosity and surface chemistry for enhanced environmental applications. Key research directions include CO₂ capture using waste-derived porous carbons, life cycle assessment of waste valorization processes, and data-driven design of advanced materials for environmental sustainability.
Professor Ho Kyoung Hwang's research lab specializes in surgical oncology and minimally invasive pancreatic surgery, with a focus on understanding the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The lab investigates immune cell infiltration—particularly cytotoxic and regulatory T lymphocytes—within tumors to elucidate their impact on patient survival and treatment outcomes. Another key direction involves optimizing surgical techniques, such as splenic vessel-conserving distal pancreatectomy and anastomotic reconstruction, to improve postoperative recovery and reduce complications like delayed gastric emptying. The lab also emphasizes early intervention strategies for small, asymptomatic pancreatic cystic neoplasms to prevent disease progression.
Professor Jinju Kim's research lab focuses on reproductive endocrinology and metabolic disorders, with a primary emphasis on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its metabolic, genetic, and ethnic dimensions. The lab investigates the pathophysiology of PCOS, including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, vitamin D status, and genetic associations, while also exploring the natural history of HPV and cervical carcinogenesis through mathematical modeling. A key focus is understanding how ethnic differences influence PCOS phenotypes and disease progression.
Professor Hye-Yeong Chun's research lab specializes in atmospheric dynamics, with a primary focus on gravity wave processes and their impacts on large-scale circulation, particularly in the context of tropical and equatorial meteorology. The lab investigates gravity wave momentum flux, turbulence in the free atmosphere, and the role of convective sources in driving stratospheric variability such as the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). Using high-resolution observational data and advanced numerical modeling, the lab develops and refines parameterizations for subgrid-scale gravity waves to improve climate and weather models. Their work bridges theoretical analysis, observational validation, and numerical simulation to enhance understanding of wave-mean flow interactions in the atmosphere.
Professor Youngjoo Byun's research lab specializes in the development of novel boron-containing therapeutic agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and the design of small molecules targeting bacterial quorum sensing and allergic inflammatory pathways. The lab focuses on synthesizing and optimizing 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs) as tumor-selective boron delivery agents that exploit the upregulation of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in cancer cells. Additionally, the lab investigates small molecule inhibitors of virulence regulators in *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* and TSLP signaling pathways to combat antibiotic-resistant infections and allergic diseases. The research integrates medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and computational modeling to advance targeted therapeutics.
Professor Seungjun Chung's research lab specializes in the development of advanced soft electronic materials and devices, focusing on mechanically programmable substrates and stretchable electronics. The lab pioneers meta-elastomers with engineered Poisson's ratios to enable distortion-free stretchable displays and high-performance 3D-printed electromagnetic resonators. Key research directions include the design of functional inks for wearable thermoelectric sensors and the integration of soft mechanical metamaterials to overcome material limitations in flexible and wearable electronics.
Professor Suyeon Cho's research lab specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and application of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), with a focus on phase engineering, defect control, and heterophase boundary design to enhance catalytic and electronic properties. The lab investigates fundamental quantum phenomena such as charge density waves and 2D magnetism in TMDs, while also developing advanced electrocatalysts—particularly for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)—by manipulating atomic-scale structures like anion vacancies and polymorphic phases. Their work bridges materials synthesis, nanoscale characterization, and device integration, enabling novel functionalities in energy conversion and 2D electronics.
Professor Ho Yeon Kim's research lab specializes in maternal-fetal medicine and reproductive health, with a strong focus on perinatal outcomes, obstetric complications, and the long-term developmental impacts of pregnancy-related conditions. The lab investigates risk factors for adverse outcomes such as term low birth weight, hyperemesis gravidarum, and neurodevelopmental disorders, using large-scale national health data and advanced statistical modeling. Additionally, the lab explores biological mechanisms in pregnancy, including the role of proteolytic enzymes like cathepsin B and D, contributing to both clinical and translational research in obstetrics. The integration of population-based epidemiology with molecular and clinical studies defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach.
Professor Se-Young Jeong's research lab specializes in advanced functional materials, with a focus on oxide semiconductors, 2D materials, and high-conductivity metals. The lab investigates the magnetic and electronic properties of doped ZnO systems, particularly the origins of ferromagnetism in transition-metal-doped oxides, and explores the synthesis and characterization of high-quality graphene heterostructures. A key research direction involves enhancing electrical conductivity in single-crystalline copper through high-pressure annealing, aiming to improve performance in next-generation electronic devices. The lab combines advanced characterization techniques such as neutron and X-ray diffraction with theoretical modeling to understand defect-mediated phenomena and interface engineering in functional oxides and 2D materials.
Professor Seung Won Kim's research lab focuses on the interplay between the immune system, microbial dysbiosis, and epithelial barrier integrity in inflammatory diseases, particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The lab investigates how probiotics, microbial metabolites, and host signaling pathways—such as NF-κB, TLR4, and ER stress—modulate intestinal inflammation and tissue repair. A key research direction involves identifying microbial and host factors that regulate immune homeostasis and tissue regeneration, with translational applications in IBD and chronic mucosal disorders. The lab also explores regenerative mechanisms in epithelial tissues, including tympanic membrane repair, highlighting the role of resident stem cells in tissue repair.
