Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Hirofumi Sawa's research lab focuses on virology and antiviral drug development, with a particular emphasis on understanding viral entry mechanisms and identifying novel antiviral therapeutics. The lab investigates host-pathogen interactions, especially the role of glycosylation in viral infection, using virus-like particles and glycan-binding assays to identify viral receptors. A key research direction involves the development and preclinical evaluation of oral antiviral agents, such as S-217622 (ensitrelvir), targeting viral proteases to combat emerging viral diseases like COVID-19. The lab integrates structural virology, glycobiology, and medicinal chemistry to advance therapeutic strategies against human pathogenic viruses.
Professor Guebuem Kim's research lab specializes in coastal geochemistry and hydrogeology, focusing on submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and its role in coastal nutrient cycling. The lab employs natural radionuclides—particularly radium isotopes (223Ra, 224Ra, 226Ra) and 222Rn—as tracers to quantify SGD fluxes and assess their impacts on coastal ecosystems. Key research directions include understanding the sources and dynamics of groundwater discharge in volcanic island environments, especially in the South Sea of Korea, and evaluating SGD as a major nutrient source driving harmful algal blooms. The lab also develops innovative field techniques for low-level radium detection and real-time monitoring of SGD variability under tidal and seasonal influences.
Professor Youngsuk Nam's research lab specializes in interfacial phenomena and microscale heat transfer, with a focus on designing advanced functional surfaces for enhanced energy and thermal management. Key research directions include the dynamic behavior of droplets and bubbles on structured surfaces, the fabrication of superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic micro/nanostructures, and the development of high-performance wicks for micro heat pipes. The lab combines experimental techniques such as high-speed imaging and microfabrication with numerical modeling to understand and optimize surface wettability, capillary action, and phase change processes at the microscale.
Professor Jinkyoo Park's research lab specializes in data-driven optimization and control for energy systems, with a focus on improving energy efficiency and performance in manufacturing and wind energy applications. The lab develops advanced machine learning and Bayesian optimization techniques to model and predict energy consumption in machine tools and wind farms, emphasizing real-time, cooperative control strategies that account for system-wide interactions. Key research directions include energy prediction using Gaussian processes, cooperative wind farm control to mitigate wake effects, and physics-informed data-driven modeling for sustainable energy systems.
Professor Jinhyung Chon's research lab focuses on sustainable urban and coastal landscape systems, integrating ecological resilience, climate adaptation, and human well-being. The lab investigates green infrastructure—such as urban greenways, street trees, and traditional irrigation systems—through systems thinking and dynamic modeling to enhance carbon sequestration, air quality, and mental health outcomes. Key research directions include adaptive green space management, ecotourism planning, and the role of urban greenery in building climate-resilient cities.
Professor Hyun Soo Kim's research lab focuses on understanding the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying cancer development and stem cell biology. The lab investigates oncogenic drivers in glioblastoma through integrated multi-omics analysis, identifying key microRNAs like miR-26a and their roles in tumorigenesis via regulation of tumor suppressors and signaling pathways. It also explores the metabolic reprogramming essential for pluripotent stem cell maintenance, particularly the direct regulation of glycolytic enzymes by core transcription factors. Additionally, the lab examines the pathological and molecular features of biliary tract cancers, especially gallbladder carcinoma, with an emphasis on biomarker discovery and disease progression.
Professor In Young Kim's research lab focuses on the intersection of environmental health and biomedical engineering, with a primary emphasis on understanding the biological impacts of environmental stressors such as ultraviolet radiation and mental stress. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms of skin carcinogenesis and develops advanced physiological signal analysis techniques—particularly using heart rate variability (HRV) and empirical mode decomposition—for early detection of acute stress. Their work aims to bridge clinical applications with innovative signal processing to enable non-invasive, real-time health monitoring and targeted prevention strategies. The lab also explores chemoprevention approaches for skin cancer and stress-related disorders, emphasizing translational research for public health impact.
Professor Masayuki Tsukasaki's research lab focuses on the intricate interplay between the immune system, skeletal stem cells, and bone remodeling in health and disease. Key research directions include the role of T cells and osteoclasts in bone homeostasis and pathological bone destruction, particularly in autoimmune arthritis, periodontitis, and cancer-related bone disease. The lab employs advanced genetic and single-cell technologies to dissect the origin, heterogeneity, and functional crosstalk of skeletal and immune cells in bone microenvironments. Their work also explores the endocrine versus local functions of key regulators like RANKL and osteoprotegerin in maintaining immune and bone system integrity.
Professor Tae Won Noh's research lab specializes in the physics of quantum materials, with a focus on correlated electron systems, topological quantum phenomena, and nanoscale ferroic materials. The lab investigates emergent quantum phases in oxide heterostructures, particularly the interplay between electron correlation, spin-orbit coupling, and structural inhomogeneities that give rise to exotic transport and magnetic properties. Using advanced nanoscale characterization techniques such as modified piezoresponse force microscopy and molecular beam epitaxy, the lab explores the fundamental mechanisms behind phenomena like the anomalous Hall effect and polarization fatigue in oxide thin films. Their work bridges quantum materials science and nanoelectronics, aiming to uncover new principles for next-generation quantum devices.
Professor Jongkyeong Chung's research lab focuses on signal transduction pathways regulating cell survival, metabolism, and homeostasis, with a particular emphasis on the roles of kinases such as Akt, STATs, and LKB1 in cellular responses to growth factors, stress, and metabolic cues. The lab investigates key regulatory mechanisms in mitophagy, apoptosis, and energy metabolism using genetic models, including Drosophila, to uncover conserved pathways relevant to human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and metabolic disorders. Recent work highlights the interplay between ubiquitination, kinase signaling, and mitochondrial function in disease pathogenesis.
Professor Kyoung Tai No's research lab specializes in computational and theoretical chemistry, focusing on molecular electronic structure, atomic charge distribution, and intermolecular interactions. The lab develops and applies advanced quantum chemical methods—such as modified partial equalization of orbital electronegativity (PEOE) and polarizable continuum models (PCM)—to study the electronic properties and stability of biomolecular systems, including polypeptides and ionic pairs in solution. Their work also extends to lattice dynamics in microporous materials like zeolites and the quantitative prediction of molecular properties such as polarizability and autoignition temperature through QSPR modeling.
Professor Min Suk Rhee's research lab focuses on food science and materials science, with a strong emphasis on improving food safety, quality, and functionality. The lab investigates the biochemical and palatability characteristics of beef muscles, explores natural antimicrobial agents like essential oils and mustard flour for pathogen inactivation, and examines the impact of processing on the nutritional and functional properties of food products such as laver. Additionally, the lab contributes to materials science through modeling dislocation dynamics in crystalline materials, particularly in understanding dislocation interactions and mechanisms in metals. These interdisciplinary efforts reflect a commitment to advancing both food technology and fundamental materials behavior.
Professor Duck Young Kim's research lab specializes in computational and theoretical materials science, focusing on the discovery and design of novel quantum materials under extreme conditions. The lab explores high-pressure phases of hydrogen-rich compounds, transition metal hydrides, and two-dimensional van der Waals materials to uncover new phenomena such as high-temperature superconductivity, itinerant ferromagnetism, and stable oxygen-rich lithium oxides. Their work combines first-principles density functional theory and many-body calculations to predict materials with promising functionalities for next-generation energy and spintronic applications.
Professor Kangmo Ahn's research lab specializes in environmental health and allergic diseases, focusing on the impact of air pollution and environmental allergens on skin and respiratory health. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms linking particulate matter (PM2.5) and phthalates to impaired skin barrier function and allergic sensitization, particularly in children. Key research directions include identifying novel allergens in common foods like pistachios and assessing the epidemiological prevalence of asthma, eczema, and food allergies in Korean populations. The lab integrates clinical, molecular, and population-based approaches to understand environmental triggers of atopy and allergic inflammation.
Professor Jong Yeog Son's research lab specializes in advanced oxide-based nanomaterials and functional thin films for next-generation electronic and spintronic devices. The lab focuses on the development and characterization of resistive random-access memory (RRAM), multiferroic materials, and ferroelectric nanostructures, with an emphasis on atomic-scale switching mechanisms and high-density data storage applications. Key research directions include the epitaxial growth of perovskite oxides, nanoscale characterization using advanced microscopy techniques (e.g., CAFM, KFM), and the integration of 2D materials and nanotubes with ferroelectric and resistive oxides for novel memory and logic devices.
Professor Jeonghoon Lee's research lab specializes in environmental hydrology and isotopic geochemistry, focusing on tracing water sources, contaminant transport, and hydrological processes in snowpacks and groundwater systems. The lab employs advanced isotope techniques—particularly dual isotope analysis (δ15N, δ18O) of nitrate and stable isotopes of water (δD, δ18O)—to investigate pollution sources, snowmelt dynamics, and seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. A key strength lies in developing and applying mechanistic models, such as the mobile-immobile water model, to simulate chemical and isotopic tracer behavior in complex hydrological systems. The lab also integrates microfluidic technologies with mass spectrometry for innovative analytical approaches in environmental and hydrological research.
Professor Masahiro Sugiyama's research lab specializes in climate science and environmental policy, with a focus on tropical meteorology, climate modeling, and the societal implications of climate engineering. The lab investigates the dynamics of precipitation extremes, particularly the role of atmospheric moisture and circulation in shaping climate change impacts, and explores decarbonization pathways for national energy systems. A key emphasis is placed on understanding and communicating the risks and social dimensions of solar radiation management (SRM) and other climate intervention strategies, especially from Global South and Asia-Pacific perspectives.
Professor Yoshitada Morikawa's research lab specializes in theoretical surface science and computational materials chemistry, focusing on the atomic-scale mechanisms of adsorption, surface reactions, and electronic properties at heterogeneous interfaces. The lab employs first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate interactions between small molecules (e.g., alkanes, acetylene, oxygen, formic acid) and semiconductor or metal oxide surfaces such as Si(001), TiO2(110), and transition metal surfaces. Key research directions include surface reactivity, work function modulation, charge transfer, and the role of defects in catalytic processes. The lab's work bridges fundamental electronic structure theory with experimental observations, providing insights into surface science relevant to catalysis, nanotechnology, and energy conversion.
Professor Junichi Takahara's research lab specializes in nanophotonics and dielectric metastructures, focusing on the design and application of high-index dielectric nanostructures for advanced optical devices. The lab pioneers the development of one-dimensional optical waveguides and Mie-resonant nanostructures that enable subwavelength light manipulation, low-loss optical circuits, and tunable color printing. Key research directions include multipole and multimode engineering in all-dielectric metasurfaces, photothermal nonlinearities, and applications in nanoscale optical circuits and reconfigurable color displays. The lab combines theoretical modeling with experimental validation to explore novel light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.
Professor Yuji Oshima's research lab specializes in environmental toxicology and ecotoxicology, focusing on the impacts of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals—particularly tributyltin (TBT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)—on aquatic organisms. The lab investigates the bioaccumulation, kinetic behavior, and reproductive toxicity of these contaminants in fish and shellfish, with an emphasis on endocrine disruption and behavioral alterations. Using model species like Japanese medaka and pearl oysters, the lab combines in vivo exposure studies with advanced analytical techniques to assess ecological risks and develop biomonitoring tools.
