Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Hyuntae Park's research lab specializes in biomedical engineering and health informatics, focusing on the intersection of aging, metabolic diseases, and artificial intelligence. The lab investigates the pathophysiological mechanisms linking menopause and cardiometabolic disorders, explores natural compounds like Stellera chamaejasme for metabolic regulation, and develops innovative ultrasound-based monitoring systems for clinical applications. Additionally, the lab pioneers AI-driven frameworks that integrate visual and textual modalities to enhance zero-shot commonsense reasoning in healthcare. These multidisciplinary efforts aim to improve early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and preventive strategies for age-related diseases.
Professor Zhiqiang Mao's research lab specializes in the development of advanced fluorescent probes for the selective detection and imaging of biologically relevant reactive species, particularly nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), and hypochlorous acid (HClO). The lab focuses on designing ratiometric, two-photon, and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes with high sensitivity, specificity, and temporal resolution to enable *in situ* and deep-tissue imaging in live cells and animal models. Their work emphasizes overcoming interference from other reactive species and improving signal-to-noise ratios for accurate biological monitoring in disease contexts such as Alzheimer’s disease and inflammation.
Professor Joonki Suh's research lab specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and application of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials and heterostructures, with a focus on manipulating their electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties through defect engineering, doping, and heterostructure integration. The lab explores scalable growth techniques—particularly atomic layer deposition—for wafer-scale, annealing-free fabrication of 2D semiconductors and tellurium films, enabling practical nanoelectronic and spintronic devices. A key research direction involves controlling native defects and dopants to tune carrier concentration and transport, with applications in high-performance transistors, p-n junctions, and neuromorphic computing hardware. The lab also investigates topological insulators and their unique 2D electron gas states, aiming to unravel fundamental defect physics and enable advanced device functionalities.
Professor Yasunori Kikuchi's research lab specializes in sustainable energy systems and environmental assessment, focusing on the integration of renewable resources—particularly biomass and hydrogen—into regional energy networks. The lab emphasizes life-cycle assessment (LCA), industrial symbiosis, and techno-economic analysis to evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of energy and chemical production systems. Key research directions include optimizing distributed energy systems, enhancing the sustainability of bio-based materials like bio-PE, and supporting regional energy transitions in isolated communities such as Tanegashima, Japan.
Professor Yuwei Sun's research lab specializes in privacy-preserving machine learning, with a strong focus on federated learning and its applications in cybersecurity and edge computing. The lab develops advanced decentralized learning frameworks to enable collaborative model training across distributed, sensitive data environments—particularly in critical domains like finance, healthcare, and network intrusion detection. Key research directions include robustness against model poisoning attacks, adaptive detection for evolving threats such as phishing emails, and integrating blockchain for secure and verifiable model aggregation. The lab emphasizes practical, secure, and scalable solutions for real-world deployment in 5G and IoT ecosystems.
Professor Teppei Yamada's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers for advanced energy and environmental applications. The lab focuses on developing proton-conductive materials for fuel cells and sensors, exploring the role of functional groups and hydration in enhancing proton transport. Additionally, the group investigates MOFs as high-performance electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and examines host-guest systems for thermoelectric energy conversion. Their innovative synthetic strategies, such as the protection-complexation-deprotection (PCD) method, enable precise functionalization of MOFs to tailor their physicochemical properties.
Professor Takuya Inoue's research lab specializes in nanophotonics and thermal energy conversion, focusing on the fundamental and applied aspects of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Key research directions include near-field thermal radiation, high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic systems, and ultra-large-area coherent semiconductor lasers based on photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs). The lab develops advanced photonic nanostructures—such as photonic crystal slabs, metamaterials, and resonant cavities—to achieve precise control over thermal emission and light emission with high spectral and angular selectivity. Their work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications in energy harvesting, sensing, and next-generation laser technologies.
Professor Hirokazu Kobayashi's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for sustainable energy applications, with a focus on noble metal-based alloys and core-shell nanostructures. The lab investigates hydrogen storage, catalytic reactions such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and CO₂ hydrogenation, and the atomic-level engineering of materials using in situ characterization techniques like XRD, solid-state NMR, and pressure-composition isotherms. A key research direction involves creating solid-solution alloys from abundant or non-precious elements to replace rare or toxic metals while maintaining or enhancing catalytic performance.
Professor Shinichi Tashiro's research lab specializes in the fundamental mechanisms of arc welding processes, with a strong focus on the interaction between arc plasma, molten metal, and fume formation. The lab employs advanced numerical simulations and computational fluid dynamics to investigate metal transfer behavior, energy source characteristics, and the influence of metal vapor on arc stability and heat transfer. Key research directions include the development of multi-phase models for arc plasma and droplet dynamics, as well as experimental validation using high-speed imaging and shadowgraph techniques. The lab aims to enhance welding quality and process control through deep physical understanding of plasma behavior and fume generation.
Professor Nobuo N. Noda's research lab focuses on the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy, a conserved cellular degradation process essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. The lab investigates the roles of autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, particularly in autophagosome formation, cargo recognition, and the regulation of selective autophagy through interactions with Atg8-family proteins and phosphoinositides. Recent work also explores the emerging role of liquid-liquid phase separation in organizing autophagy machinery and regulating autophagy initiation. The lab integrates structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to decipher the dynamic molecular assemblies that govern autophagy.
Professor Seunghun Hong's research lab specializes in nanomaterials and nanodevices for biomedical and environmental applications. The lab focuses on developing advanced nanomaterials—such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and cadmium sulfide nanowires—for high-performance sensors, neural interface systems, and memory devices. Key research directions include aptamer-based detection of environmental toxins like bisphenol A, directed assembly of nanomaterials for flexible electronics, and the integration of nanomaterials with electrical stimulation and sensing platforms. The lab emphasizes scalable, cost-effective fabrication techniques to enable real-world applications in health monitoring and environmental safety.
Professor Young Bin Choy's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced biomaterials and drug delivery systems with a focus on targeted, sustained, and localized therapeutic delivery. The lab integrates nanotechnology, polymer science, and materials engineering to create innovative medical devices such as drug-eluting sutures, mucoadhesive tablets, and theranostic implants for applications in ophthalmology, orthopedics, and post-surgical care. Key research directions include the fabrication of stimuli-responsive and biodegradable carriers for improved drug bioavailability and reduced systemic side effects, as well as the development of multifunctional materials with combined diagnostic (e.g., radiopacity) and therapeutic capabilities.
Professor Chang-Kyu Lee's research lab specializes in regenerative biotechnology and reproductive biology, with a focus on in vitro muscle tissue engineering for cultured meat production, stem cell survival and differentiation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying gamete and early embryo development. The lab investigates cellular and molecular strategies to enhance the efficiency of in vitro systems, including apoptosis inhibition in primordial germ cells and somatic cells, and explores the role of mRNA in sperm function and embryo development. Additionally, the lab contributes to advanced biotechnological applications such as enzymatic modification of starch for industrial use and cross-platform gene expression analysis in neuroscience.
Professor Mijin Yun's research lab specializes in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine, with a focus on advancing positron emission tomography (PET) applications in oncology. The lab investigates the metabolic behavior of cancer cells using radiotracers such as 18F-FDG and 11C-acetate to understand tumor metabolism, particularly in gastrointestinal and liver cancers. Key research directions include improving cancer detection and characterization through metabolic imaging, exploring the interplay between glycolysis and alternative metabolic pathways in tumor progression, and evaluating the clinical utility of PET/CT in staging and treatment planning. The lab also contributes to the fundamental understanding of physiological and pathological FDG uptake in vascular structures and tissues.
Professor Do Young Kim's research lab focuses on the neuroprotective mechanisms of metabolic therapies, particularly the ketogenic diet and ketone bodies, in neurological disorders. The lab investigates how metabolic substrates modulate neuronal excitability, mitochondrial function, and protein homeostasis to protect against neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Key research directions include the role of ketones in preventing oxidative stress, regulating mitochondrial permeability transition pores, and enhancing synaptic plasticity in models of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease. The lab integrates electrophysiology, mass spectrometry, and in vivo imaging to uncover metabolic pathways underlying neurological resilience.
Professor Tae-Gyun Kim's research lab specializes in advanced materials development for biomedical and energy applications, with a strong focus on nanomaterials, biomaterials, and sustainable energy technologies. The lab investigates functional nanofibers for enzyme immobilization and tissue regeneration, explores natural plant extracts for antiviral therapeutics, and develops novel perovskite-based photoelectrochemical systems for efficient solar hydrogen production. A key theme across the research is the design of multifunctional materials that enhance biological activity or energy conversion efficiency through precise nanostructure and surface engineering.
Professor Sang Bin Lee's research lab specializes in condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of electric machines, with a strong focus on sensorless and online diagnostic techniques for induction motors. The lab develops advanced electrical, thermal, and insulation monitoring methods—such as stator resistance-based temperature estimation, turn fault detection via sequence component impedance, and online insulation assessment using leakage current measurements—to enhance motor reliability and predictive maintenance. Their work emphasizes robustness against motor nonidealities, such as voltage unbalance and parameter uncertainty, ensuring practical applicability in industrial environments. The lab also investigates fault prognostics and the mitigation of false positives in motor current signature analysis, aiming to reduce downtime and maintenance costs in critical industries like pulp and paper.
Professor Jaesung Park's research lab specializes in the development of microfluidic and bioreactor technologies for the isolation, characterization, and scalable production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with applications in regenerative medicine and liquid biopsy. The lab focuses on engineering innovative platforms—such as nanoporous membranes, microgrooved substrates, and aqueous two-phase systems—to enable efficient, label-free EV purification and high-throughput single-vesicle analysis. A key research direction involves enhancing EV yield and functionality using bioreactor systems, particularly for therapeutic applications in diseases like acute kidney injury. The lab also pioneers methods to generate nanovesicles from live cell membranes for drug delivery and intracellular material transfer.
Professor Eun Kyu Kim's research lab specializes in two-dimensional (2D) materials and their applications in next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. The lab focuses on defect engineering, electrical property optimization, and novel device architectures—such as carristors and p-type MoS₂ transistors—using advanced fabrication techniques like chemical vapor deposition and liquid exfoliation. Key research directions include interface passivation, ion doping, and improving the stability and performance of 2D semiconductor and perovskite-based devices for practical applications.
Professor Insop Shim's research lab focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric and cognitive disorders, with a particular emphasis on neuroinflammation, neuroplasticity, and neurodegeneration. The lab investigates the role of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-4, in modulating depressive-like behaviors and neurotransmitter systems, as well as the impact of systemic and central immune activation on brain function. Additionally, the lab explores pharmacological interventions—such as ginseng saponins and donepezil—to mitigate cognitive impairment induced by chemotherapy or high-fat diets, using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques. Their work bridges immunology, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology to identify novel therapeutic targets for brain disorders.
