Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Yun-Sil Lee's research lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-induced lung injury and cancer progression, with a central emphasis on stress response proteins such as Hsp27 and signaling molecules like myostatin and GDF-11. The lab investigates the roles of these proteins in fibrosis, apoptosis resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis and cancer treatment resistance. Current research directions include the development of Hsp27 inhibitors and the modulation of TGF-β superfamily signaling pathways to improve clinical outcomes.
Professor Youngjoon Choi's research lab specializes in tourism, hospitality, and service innovation, with a strong focus on human–robot interaction, experiential tourism, and the impact of emerging technologies such as AI and RFID in service industries. The lab investigates tourist behavior, service quality perceptions, and cognitive-emotional drivers of travel intentions, particularly in post-pandemic and technology-integrated contexts. It also explores the role of digital media and cultural perceptions in shaping travel experiences and destination marketing strategies.
Professor Kunio Kaiho's research focuses on Earth's deep-time environmental changes, particularly the causes and consequences of major mass extinctions during the Phanerozoic eon. His lab investigates the interplay between large igneous province eruptions, asteroid impacts, and ocean-atmosphere system disruptions using geochemical proxies such as stable isotopes (C, S, Sr), trace elements, and organic biomarkers. Key research directions include understanding the role of volcanic outgassing, impact events, and climate-driven anoxia in triggering biotic crises, especially at the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Paleogene boundaries.
Professor Kohei Sekine's research lab specializes in the development of transition metal-catalyzed organic transformations, with a strong focus on gold- and silver-catalyzed reactions for the synthesis of complex π-conjugated systems and functional materials. The lab explores innovative cyclization and annulation strategies to construct unique carbon frameworks such as bispentalenes, pentalenes, and heterocyclic aromatic compounds with tailored optoelectronic and semiconductor properties. A key direction involves tuning molecular geometry and solid-state packing through ligand and substrate control to enhance charge transport, particularly for organic field-effect transistor applications. The lab also investigates C–H and C–N bond functionalization, including deaminative borylation and hydrodeamination, with mechanistic insights into radical-involved pathways.
Professor Chung-Mo Park's research lab focuses on plant molecular biology, particularly the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental stresses such as drought, cold, and salinity. The lab investigates transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of stress-responsive genes, with a strong emphasis on transcription factors (e.g., MYB, NAC, SPL), microRNAs (e.g., miR166, miR156), and hormone signaling pathways—especially abscisic acid (ABA)—in stress adaptation and development. Key research directions include the regulation of cuticular wax biosynthesis, ROS homeostasis, vascular development, and the integration of sugar signaling with photoperiodic flowering control in *Arabidopsis thaliana*.
Professor Donghyun Kang's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying osteoarthritis (OA) and age-related joint diseases, with a particular emphasis on redox homeostasis, chondrocyte senescence, and extracellular matrix metabolism. The lab investigates the roles of key regulators such as selenoproteins, microRNAs (e.g., miR-204), and post-translational modifications (e.g., O-GlcNAcylation) in driving OA pathology. Using integrative approaches combining molecular biology, animal models, and translational studies, the lab aims to identify novel therapeutic targets for degenerative joint diseases.
Professor Sanha Kim's research lab specializes in advanced manufacturing and micro/nanofabrication technologies, with a focus on developing next-generation materials and processes for high-precision electronics and energy systems. Key research directions include engineered nanomaterials for flexible and high-resolution printing, electrostatic adhesion for microscale manipulation, and hybrid manufacturing processes combining micro-electrical discharge machining and laser ablation to enhance precision and efficiency. The lab also investigates structural design strategies for stabilizing lithium-metal anodes to enable high-energy, long-cycle-life batteries.
Professor Na-Young Song's research lab focuses on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, with a particular emphasis on the tumor microenvironment, redox regulation, and signaling pathways such as NF-κB and STAT3. The lab investigates the dual roles of key regulators like SIRT1 and IKKα in tumorigenesis, exploring their context-dependent functions in genomic stability, inflammation, and metabolic reprogramming. Additionally, the lab examines microbial translocation between the oral and gut microbiomes and its implications in systemic diseases, integrating host-microbe interactions with cancer immunology. Their work bridges molecular oncology, redox biology, and microbiome science to uncover novel therapeutic targets.
Professor Dong-Kwon Lim's research lab specializes in the design and application of plasmonic and hybrid nanomaterials for advanced biomedical technologies. The lab focuses on developing DNA-embedded and radionuclide-doped gold and silver nanoparticles for highly sensitive in vivo imaging, targeted immunotherapy, and long-term cell tracking. Key research directions include nanomaterial synthesis with precise control over size, shape, and shell thickness, as well as the integration of nanomaterials with polymers and 2D materials like MoS₂ for enhanced functionality. The lab also explores plasmonic nanogap structures for ultrasensitive Raman-based biosensing and bioimaging applications.
Professor Peixun Xiong's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced functional nanomaterials for next-generation energy storage devices, with a primary focus on sodium-ion, potassium-ion, and aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The lab emphasizes innovative materials engineering strategies—such as nanostructuring, carbon matrix confinement, and electrolyte interfacial regulation—to address critical challenges like volume expansion, poor cyclability, and dendrite formation. Key research directions include the synthesis of alloy-based anodes (e.g., Bi, Sb, BiSb), phosphorus-based anodes, and doped carbon nanostructures, alongside fundamental studies on ion transport mechanisms and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation. The lab integrates advanced characterization techniques and computational modeling to guide rational material design for high-performance, stable, and scalable battery technologies.
Professor Toshiyuki Nohira's research lab specializes in electrochemical materials science, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of rare earth-based intermetallic compounds and alloys through molten salt electrolysis. The lab investigates the fundamental mechanisms of electrochemical alloy formation, phase transformations, and ion diffusion in high-temperature molten systems, with applications in advanced functional materials. Key research directions include the development of coherent and dense rare earth-transition metal films, understanding equilibrium potentials and reaction pathways, and exploring electrochemical displacement processes for material design. The lab employs advanced techniques such as transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction to analyze microstructure and crystallography at the nanoscale.
Professor Dai Aoki's research lab specializes in quantum materials, with a focus on heavy-fermion systems, unconventional superconductivity, and strongly correlated electron phenomena. The lab investigates ferromagnetic and paramagnetic superconductors, particularly uranium-based compounds, exploring quantum criticality, field-induced phase transitions, and the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity under extreme conditions. Their work combines high-precision measurements in high magnetic fields and low temperatures to uncover novel quantum states and emergent phenomena in 5f-electron systems.
Professor Hiroaki Nakashima's research lab specializes in spinal surgery and spinal cord disorders, with a primary focus on cervical spine pathology, particularly degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and postoperative complications such as C-5 palsy. The lab investigates surgical techniques, including posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion, with an emphasis on optimizing patient outcomes through precise preoperative planning, navigation-assisted screw placement, and risk mitigation strategies. Research also explores the impact of patient-specific factors—such as age, preoperative spinal alignment, and foraminal stenosis—on surgical outcomes.
Professor Yuki Yamada's research lab focuses on the psychological and perceptual mechanisms underlying human emotional and cognitive responses to visual stimuli, particularly in the context of human-like forms and aversive imagery. The lab investigates phenomena such as the uncanny valley, trypophobia, and stress responses during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the interplay between perception, emotion, and mental health. Using large-scale survey data and experimental methods, the lab explores how individual differences—such as past medical history or cultural background—influence emotional reactions and decision-making. A central theme is understanding the psychological biases that shape judgments in complex domains, such as scholarly publishing and crisis response.
Professor Eun Young Lee's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with tailored porosity, stability, and stimuli-responsive properties. The lab focuses on creating porous coordination materials that exhibit high surface areas, permanent microporosity, and exceptional thermal and structural stability—enabling applications in gas storage, selective guest binding, and luminescent sensing. In parallel, the lab investigates the role of extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, in inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, with an emphasis on their influence on osteoclast differentiation and bone destruction. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge materials science and biomedical research, aiming to develop advanced functional materials and uncover disease mechanisms in autoimmune arthritis.
Professor Muhammad Zada's research lab specializes in the design and development of compact, efficient, and biocompatible antennas and energy harvesting systems for biomedical and wearable electronics. The lab focuses on implantable and wearable wireless communication devices, including miniaturized antennas for cardiac pacemakers, intraoral prosthetics, and smart textiles, with applications in e-healthcare and 5G-enabled health monitoring. Key research directions include metamaterial integration, frequency reconfigurability, and energy harvesting for battery-free wearable sensors.
Professor Kwang Pyo Kim's research lab specializes in extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their roles in intercellular communication, particularly in cancer progression and metastasis. The lab investigates the proteomic and lipidomic profiles of EVs derived from both pathogenic bacteria and human cancer cells, focusing on how these vesicles contribute to disease mechanisms such as immune evasion, tumor microenvironment modulation, and signal transduction. The lab also explores radiation exposure in interventional radiology, emphasizing dose optimization and risk assessment in fluoroscopically-guided procedures. Using advanced mass spectrometry techniques, the lab integrates multi-omics approaches to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying EV biogenesis and function.
Professor Jin Young Oh's research lab specializes in developing skin-like electronic materials and devices with advanced functionalities such as stretchability, self-healing, biocompatibility, and energy autonomy. The lab focuses on creating bioinspired electronics—particularly electronic skin and wearable sensors—by integrating organic semiconductors, conductive polymers like PEDOT:PSS, and 2D nanomaterials such as transition metal dichalcogenides. Key research directions include stretchable and self-healing optoelectronic synapses, wearable energy harvesters (e.g., thermoelectric generators), and solution-processed, deformable electronic systems for next-generation health monitoring and human-machine interfaces. The lab emphasizes practical, scalable fabrication methods to enable real-world applications in smart healthcare and the Internet of Things.
Professor Yan Kyaw Tun's research lab specializes in next-generation wireless communication and edge computing systems, focusing on UAV-aided mobile edge computing, network slicing in 5G/6G networks, and integrated space-air-ground networks. The lab investigates energy-efficient task offloading, resource allocation, and collaborative computing architectures to enhance network performance and support diverse services such as IoT, eMBB, and URLLC. A key emphasis is placed on optimizing latency, energy consumption, and network capacity in dynamic and infrastructure-scarce environments.
Professor Sankar Ganesh Ramaraj's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced photonic and nanomaterial-based sensors for biomedical, environmental, and energy applications. The lab focuses on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors using photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), exploring high-sensitivity refractive index and biomolecular detection with applications in glucose sensing and biosensing. A key research direction involves the integration of two-dimensional materials, such as MoS₂ and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), with plasmonic materials like gold and BaTiO₃ to enhance sensor performance. The lab also investigates sustainable and biodegradable electronic devices, particularly triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) made from natural biopolymers, aiming to address electronic waste and enable implantable, self-powered healthcare systems.
