Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Soo Hyun Kim's research lab specializes in biomedical materials and molecular therapeutics, focusing on the development of bioactive polymers and immune-modulating proteins for regenerative medicine and metabolic disease treatment. Key research directions include designing biodegradable polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering, particularly using lactide-based star-shaped polymers and copolymers like poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone), and exploring the therapeutic potential of endogenous immune regulators such as IL-18 binding protein in inflammatory conditions like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The lab also investigates repurposed drugs—such as ezetimibe—for their autophagy-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effects, aiming to uncover novel mechanisms for treating liver fibrosis and metabolic syndrome. These interdisciplinary efforts integrate polymer chemistry, immunology, and translational medicine to develop innovative biomaterials and biologics.
Professor Takahiro Mori's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation and its role in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, with a particular emphasis on signaling molecules like STAT3 and TNFα. The lab also investigates enzymatic pathways involved in natural product diversification, especially prenyltransferases and C-glycoside-degrading enzymes, using structural biology and chemoenzymatic approaches. Their work bridges immunology, cancer biology, and enzymology, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets and biocatalytic tools. The lab integrates structural, biochemical, and in vivo studies to explore disease pathogenesis and enzyme function in health and disease.
Professor Titus Masese's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced functional materials for sustainable energy storage, with a strong focus on potassium-ion and lithium-ion batteries. The lab explores novel electrode materials—particularly layered honeycomb frameworks and nanostructured cathodes—engineered for high-voltage operation, fast ion diffusion, and enhanced electrochemical stability. Key research directions include the discovery of new materials with rich crystal chemistry, the development of high-voltage electrolytes using ionic liquids, and the mechanistic understanding of multi-electron redox reactions in polyanionic compounds.
Professor Kentaro Kaneko's research lab specializes in the epitaxial growth and fundamental characterization of corundum-structured oxide semiconductors, with a focus on wide-bandgap and magnetic semiconductors for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. The lab develops high-quality thin films of α-Ga₂O₃, α-Ir₂O₃, and their solid solutions through advanced mist chemical vapor deposition, enabling applications in high-power, high-voltage, and spintronic devices. Key research directions include bandgap engineering, p-type doping, heterojunction formation, and the exploration of intrinsic ferromagnetism in transition metal-doped oxides.
Professor Hirotsugu Ogi's research lab specializes in advanced ultrasonic and electromagnetic characterization techniques for single-crystalline and anisotropic materials. The lab focuses on the precise determination of elastic, piezoelectric, and internal friction properties using non-contact methods such as resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) combined with laser-Doppler vibrometry and electromagnetic acoustic resonance (EMAR). Key research directions include overcoming mode identification challenges in resonance spectroscopy and developing contactless, high-precision measurement systems for materials like quartz, langasite, lithium niobate, and copper. The lab's work enables accurate, simultaneous extraction of multiple material coefficients essential for advanced sensor and actuator applications.
Professor Chihiro Tanikawa's research lab specializes in computational orthodontics and craniofacial morphology, focusing on the application of artificial intelligence to improve the accuracy of cephalometric analysis and facial profile prediction. The lab develops AI-driven systems for automatic landmark detection on cephalometric radiographs, with particular emphasis on patient-specific applications, including those with cleft lip and/or palate. Their work integrates confidence-based evaluation methods and 3D facial analysis to enhance surgical outcome assessment and treatment planning.
Professor Yang Ju's research lab specializes in the intersection of biomaterials, nanotechnology, and advanced characterization techniques. The lab investigates how mechanical and topographical cues regulate stem cell fate—particularly mesenchymal stem cells—toward tendon/ligament differentiation, with a focus on signaling pathways like RhoA/ROCK and FAK. It also develops non-contact and high-resolution electrical and microwave-based inspection methods for semiconductor wafers and electronic packages, enabling precise conductivity and defect detection. Additionally, the lab pioneers novel microfabricated probes and cold bonding technologies for next-generation electronics with improved reliability and sustainability.
Professor Jin-Hong Kim's research lab focuses on mechanobiology and tissue engineering, with a central emphasis on how mechanical cues—such as extracellular matrix stiffness and cell-cell contact—interact with biochemical signals to regulate cell behavior, particularly in epithelial and cartilage tissues. The lab investigates the mechanotransduction pathways underlying diseases like osteoarthritis and cancer, exploring how matrix remodeling and mechanical stress contribute to pathological progression. Using interdisciplinary approaches combining biophysics, cell biology, and biomaterials, the lab aims to uncover how mechanical microenvironments influence cell cycle decisions, tissue homeostasis, and regenerative potential. Their work also extends to therapeutic applications, including shockwave therapy and neuromodulation for musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation.
Professor Ho Jae Han's research lab focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying renal injury, particularly in the context of diabetic nephropathy, oxidative stress, and metabolic disorders. The lab investigates key signaling pathways involving PPARγ, oxidative stress mediators like H₂O₂, uric acid, and stress-responsive genes such as CSR, with an emphasis on epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibrosis, and cellular stress adaptation in renal proximal tubular cells. Additional research explores the roles of growth factors (e.g., EGF, BMP-4) and scaffolding proteins (e.g., caveolin-1) in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and survival. The lab integrates molecular biology, cell culture, and signaling pathway analysis to uncover therapeutic targets for kidney diseases.
Professor Haecheon Choi's research lab specializes in computational fluid dynamics and active flow control, with a focus on turbulent boundary layers, drag reduction, and instability control in bluff-body and wall-bounded flows. The lab employs direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES) to investigate fundamental mechanisms of turbulence and to develop advanced control strategies such as synthetic jets, feedback control, and riblet surface modifications. Key research directions include skin-friction reduction, coherent structure manipulation, and the optimization of control efficiency across varying Reynolds numbers. The lab also integrates control theory and adjoint-based optimization techniques to design suboptimal feedback control laws for complex turbulent flows.
Professor Yong-Seok Lee's research lab focuses on the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and social behavior, with a particular emphasis on the prefrontal cortex and its subcortical circuits. The lab investigates how early-life experiences, such as social isolation, alter neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity through conserved signaling pathways like cAMP/CREB and RAS/ERK. Using a combination of behavioral assays, chemogenetics, viral tracing, and molecular techniques in rodent and invertebrate models (e.g., Aplysia and C. elegans), the lab explores the genetic and cellular basis of neuropsychiatric disorders, including RASopathies. A central theme is the identification and functional characterization of G protein-coupled receptors and their roles in modulating neural circuits and long-term synaptic changes.
Professor Hyungjin Kim's research lab specializes in brain-inspired neuromorphic computing and advanced memory technologies, focusing on the development of hardware-efficient neural network architectures using novel memristive and synaptic transistor devices. The lab explores the integration of passive crossbar circuits, spike-timing dependent plasticity, and low-power neuromorphic systems for energy-efficient AI computation. Key research directions include device-level optimization for variability and noise resilience, hardware-software co-design for spiking neural networks, and the application of advanced 3D NAND flash and oxide-based memristor technologies for next-generation nonvolatile memory and in-memory computing.
Professor Hyunju Lee's research lab specializes in infectious diseases, with a focus on pediatric respiratory infections, antimicrobial resistance, and vaccine immunology. The lab investigates the epidemiology and clinical management of macrolide-resistant *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* pneumonia, evaluates vaccine effectiveness and immune responses—particularly to pneumococcal and hepatitis A vaccines—and explores the impact of public health interventions on respiratory viral transmission. The lab also emphasizes translational research, including culturally adapted patient-reported outcome measures and seroprevalence studies to guide public health policy.
Professor Hee Chan Kim's research lab specializes in biomedical microsystems and bioelectrical engineering, focusing on the development of advanced diagnostic technologies using nanomaterials, microfluidics, and computational modeling. Key research directions include label-free detection of circulating tumor cells via impedance sensing, miniaturized implantable biosensors for neural and cardiac monitoring, and AI-driven reconstruction of physiological signals such as 12-lead ECGs from wearable patch devices. The lab also investigates fundamental electrochemical phenomena in nanoporous structures to enable next-generation point-of-care diagnostics and implantable medical devices.
Professor Hak-Joon Sung's research lab specializes in developing advanced biomaterials and smart scaffolds for regenerative medicine and cardiovascular tissue engineering. The lab focuses on stimuli-responsive materials—particularly those responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS)—to enable site-specific drug delivery, enhanced cell infiltration, and improved tissue regeneration. Key research directions include designing shape-memory polymers for minimally invasive vascular grafts, engineering electrospun polymer scaffolds to direct stem cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes, and utilizing 3D graphene foams to support stem cell osteogenic differentiation. The overarching goal is to create functional, biocompatible, and dynamically responsive materials that can actively interact with and repair diseased tissues in vivo.
Professor Taesun Park's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis, with a strong emphasis on identifying and validating natural bioactive compounds for their preventive and therapeutic potential. The lab investigates dietary supplements and plant-derived phytochemicals—including green coffee bean extract, olive leaf extract, carvacrol, and undecane—through in vivo and in vitro models to elucidate their effects on adipogenesis, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and immune modulation. A central theme is the regulation of key signaling pathways such as WNT10b/galanin, TLR4, LXRα/SREBP1c, and cAMP-mediated inflammatory responses. The lab integrates molecular biology, gene expression analysis, and metabolic phenotyping to translate preclinical findings into potential nutraceutical and functional food applications.
Professor Sehyun Shin's research lab specializes in developing advanced microfluidic and biophysical technologies for point-of-care diagnostics and cellular biomechanics. The lab focuses on understanding and measuring erythrocyte deformability as a biomarker for metabolic and microvascular diseases such as diabetes mellitus, while also pioneering rapid, sensitive, and low-cost detection methods for viral pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. Key research directions include microfluidic ektacytometry, nucleic acid amplification techniques (e.g., rolling circle amplification), and the application of DNA hydrogel formation for real-time pathogen detection. The lab integrates principles from biophysics, microengineering, and clinical diagnostics to create innovative tools for early disease diagnosis and monitoring.
Professor Joo Chan Lee's research lab specializes in advancing deep learning and neural representations for computer vision and multimedia applications, with a strong focus on efficient and high-fidelity 3D and video reconstruction. The lab explores novel neural rendering techniques such as Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) and 3D Gaussian Splatting to enable fast, accurate 3D scene representation and rendering. A key research direction involves optimizing computational efficiency for edge deployment through collaborative inference and reconfigurable deep learning architectures, particularly for object detection and video processing. The lab also develops specialized neural network designs for challenging imaging scenarios, such as dense and small object detection in aerial imagery.
Professor Daewon Sohn's research lab specializes in the development and application of functional nanomaterials, particularly halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), for advanced coating technologies. The lab focuses on tailoring the surface and pore structure of HNTs through pH- and chemical-based treatments to enable controlled release of corrosion inhibitors. A key research direction involves enhancing the performance of polyurethane (PU) coatings by encapsulating sensitive corrosion inhibitors, such as 2-mercaptobenzimidazole and 2-mercapatobenzothiazole, while preventing their premature reaction with diisocyanate. The lab also investigates the tunable porosity and dispersion behavior of HNTs to optimize their use in multifunctional, environmentally friendly coatings.
Professor In-Seon Lee's research lab focuses on integrative biomedicine, particularly exploring the neurobiological mechanisms of pain modulation and the therapeutic potential of natural products such as herbal essential oils and ginseng pharmacopuncture. The lab investigates brain-gut axis interactions, functional neuroimaging in functional dyspepsia, and acupuncture's effects on visceral pain and inflammatory markers. A key emphasis is on translating preclinical findings into clinical applications through rigorous systematic reviews and bibliometric analyses. The lab also examines the antioxidant and bioactive components of medicinal herbs to support evidence-based integrative therapies.
