Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Keiji Tanaka's research lab specializes in the fundamental physics and materials science of chalcogenide glasses, focusing on light-matter interactions, structural dynamics, and electronic properties. Key research directions include photoinduced structural modifications such as fluidity, expansion, and birefringence, as well as reversible photodarkening and band-gap engineering under illumination and pressure. The lab combines advanced x-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopy, and theoretical modeling to understand the topological and configurational origins of these phenomena at the atomic level. Their work bridges amorphous materials physics with applications in microfabrication, optical devices, and functional glass technologies.
Professor Yoshiyuki Sugahara's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced functional nanomaterials through innovative intercalation and topochemical transformation strategies. The lab focuses on developing novel inorganic-organic hybrid materials, particularly transition metal oxides like WO₃ and TiO₂, with tailored nanostructures for enhanced photocatalytic and energy-related applications. A key research direction involves controlling the morphology and surface properties of metal oxides via templated synthesis using clay minerals as nanoreactors, enabling precise engineering of interfacial structures for improved charge separation and catalytic efficiency. The lab also explores polymer-clay nanocomposites, emphasizing intercalation chemistry and in-situ polymerization to create hybrid materials with tunable interlayer spacing and strong interfacial interactions.
Professor Ho Namkoong's research lab focuses on respiratory immunology and host genetic factors in infectious and inflammatory lung diseases, with a particular emphasis on pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease (NTM), severe COVID-19, and post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) lung complications. The lab integrates clinical epidemiology, host genomics, and translational immunology to uncover genetic susceptibility and immune mechanisms underlying severe respiratory conditions. Key research directions include genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in East Asian populations, the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in infection and inflammation, and the immunomodulatory effects of macrolide antibiotics. The lab also investigates unique post-HSCT lung disorders with restrictive physiology and characteristic radiographic features.
Professor Young Woon Lim's research lab specializes in fungal and microbial ecology, with a focus on the diversity, interactions, and ecological roles of fungi and bacteria in forest and coastal ecosystems. The lab employs molecular techniques such as pyrosequencing and 16S/18S rDNA sequencing to explore microbial communities associated with economically and ecologically important fungi like Tricholoma matsutake and Pinus thunbergii. Key research directions include understanding symbiotic and pathogenic interactions between fungi and bacteria, microbial community dynamics in mycorrhizal environments, and the functional roles of endophytes in stress resistance. The lab also investigates the biogeography and genetic diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi, particularly within the Russulaceae family.
Professor Soo-Yeon Lee's research lab specializes in brain-inspired neuromorphic computing, focusing on the development of oxide-based thin-film transistors for artificial synaptic devices. The lab explores advanced materials such as amorphous InGaZnO (IGZO) and ZnON thin films to enable energy-efficient, high-performance neuromorphic systems with low power consumption and robust reliability. Key research directions include optimizing charge trapping mechanisms, minimizing persistent photoconductivity, and enhancing device stability under optical and electrical stress for next-generation optoelectronic neuromorphic applications.
Professor Sanghee Kim's research lab specializes in palliative and end-of-life care, with a focus on improving nursing education, ethical decision-making, and tailored care models for non-cancer patients. The lab investigates knowledge gaps, confidence levels, and educational needs among nurses, particularly in the context of hospice and palliative care. It also explores the impact of structured training programs and ethics education on clinical practice and patient outcomes. Additionally, the lab examines evolving healthcare delivery models, including sustainable consumer behaviors in healthcare-related markets.
Professor Jung Hyun Yoon's research lab specializes in medical imaging and artificial intelligence, focusing on improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in breast and thyroid cancer screening. The lab investigates AI-driven applications in mammography, including digital mammography and tomosynthesis, to enhance early detection and risk stratification. Key research directions include elastography for improved specificity in ultrasound, computer-aided diagnosis systems, and the integration of AI tools like S-Detect to support radiologists across varying levels of expertise. The lab also evaluates the clinical feasibility and performance of emerging technologies to optimize patient management and reduce diagnostic variability.
Professor Byung-In Kim's research lab specializes in intelligent scheduling and control systems for automated manufacturing and material handling environments, with a strong focus on industrial applications in semiconductor fabrication and warehouse logistics. The lab develops agent-based and hybrid control architectures that integrate optimization, real-time decision-making, and dynamic resource allocation to enhance system efficiency and utilization. Key research directions include vehicle dispatching, order picking optimization, and plate stacking problems in automated systems, often leveraging advanced algorithms such as the Hungarian algorithm and heuristic methods. The lab emphasizes practical implementation through simulation and real-world system analysis to improve throughput and reduce operational costs.
Professor Sang Ki Park's research lab focuses on cellular signaling mechanisms underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders, with a central emphasis on the mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) as a key signaling hub regulating calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial function, and cellular stress responses. The lab employs innovative proximity labeling techniques like Contact-ID to map subcellular proteomes and investigates signaling molecules such as DISC1, PKA-RII, and Ndel1 in neurodevelopment and neuronal function. They also develop advanced fluorescent probes to visualize reactive oxygen species in neuroinflammatory conditions, linking oxidative stress to brain disorders. Their work bridges cell biology, neuroscience, and chemical biology to uncover molecular mechanisms in mental illness and neurodegeneration.
Professor Hee Chul Park's research lab specializes in developing innovative nanotherapeutic strategies to overcome treatment resistance in solid tumors, particularly focusing on radiation therapy (RT) enhancement in hypoxic and radioresistant cancers such as pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The lab integrates nanomaterials, such as fucoidan-coated manganese dioxide nanoparticles, to alleviate tumor hypoxia and improve RT efficacy. They also investigate the synergistic effects of combining RT with immunotherapies like nivolumab, aiming to optimize treatment sequencing and improve clinical outcomes. Their work bridges preclinical research with translational applications, guiding clinical trial design and practice guidelines in liver cancer.
Professor Namkee Oh's research lab specializes in the intersection of artificial intelligence and surgical medicine, focusing on advancing surgical planning and education through deep learning and large language models. The lab develops innovative AI-driven solutions for medical image segmentation—particularly in liver and biliary anatomy—using MRI and MRCP data to enhance precision in preoperative and intraoperative decision-making. A key focus is integrating AI tools like GPT-4 into clinical workflows to improve diagnostic accuracy, surgical training, and patient outcomes. The lab also explores real-time intraoperative applications, such as automated biliary structure identification during laparoscopic donor hepatectomy.
Professor Jaehyuk Cha's research lab specializes in advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning for medical diagnostics, with a strong focus on early detection and classification of critical diseases using medical imaging. The lab develops innovative deep learning frameworks combined with explainable AI to improve accuracy in diagnosing skin cancer, diabetic retinopathy, COVID-19, and chest abnormalities from radiographs and retinal scans. A key emphasis is on addressing real-world clinical challenges such as data imbalance, low-contrast lesions, and model interpretability to enhance clinical usability and patient outcomes. The lab also explores AI-driven solutions for online healthcare prediction and assistive technologies for people with visual impairments.
Professor Yasuhiro Yamashita's research lab specializes in the development of novel chiral catalysts for asymmetric synthesis, with a focus on transition-metal-catalyzed and organocatalyzed reactions. The lab is particularly known for pioneering the use of zirconium-based catalysts in enantioselective transformations such as aldol reactions, Diels-Alder reactions, and [3+2] cycloadditions, achieving high diastereo- and enantioselectivities under mild conditions. Recent work also extends to innovative Ir-catalyzed amination of allylic alcohols, showcasing regio- and enantioselective C–N bond formation. The lab emphasizes mechanistic understanding and catalyst design to enable efficient, selective, and sustainable synthesis of complex chiral molecules.
Professor Rong Xiang's research lab specializes in advanced nanomaterials and energy technologies, with a strong focus on the synthesis, characterization, and application of carbon nanotubes and lithium–sulfur batteries. The lab investigates fundamental growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes, particularly single-walled varieties, using in situ microscopy and catalytic engineering to achieve precise control over chirality and structure. It also explores multifunctional polymer binders to enhance the electrochemical performance and stability of next-generation batteries, aiming to overcome key challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect. The lab integrates materials synthesis with advanced analytical techniques, including in situ electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, to bridge atomic-scale mechanisms with macroscopic device performance.
Professor Masashi Taniguchi's research lab focuses on musculoskeletal health, particularly the pathophysiology and management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia, integrating clinical, biomechanical, and molecular approaches. The lab investigates neuromuscular adaptations to resistance exercise, muscle quality using ultrasound and bioimpedance techniques, and the role of non-coding RNAs in cancer and degenerative diseases. Additionally, the lab explores marine natural products with potential therapeutic applications, especially in oncology and metabolic disorders.
Professor Takashi Fujita's research lab specializes in innate immunology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying antiviral responses and cellular signaling pathways. The lab investigates key pattern recognition receptors such as RIG-I-like receptors and their role in detecting viral RNA, leading to the activation of type I and III interferons. Central to their work is the dissection of signaling cascades involving adaptors like IPS-1, kinases such as TBK-1 and IKK-i, and transcription factors including IRF3/7 and NF-κB. The lab also explores the interplay between transcription factors like Runx2 and signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt in both development and immune responses.
Professor Tomohiko Nishiuchi's research lab specializes in the bottom-up synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs), through the design and synthesis of structurally well-defined aromatic macrocycles and π-conjugated systems. The lab focuses on mastering strain-controlled cyclization reactions, oxidative cyclodehydrogenation, and conformational control in flexible π-systems to enable precise construction of CNT precursors. They also explore the electronic and magnetic properties of biradicaloid systems and dynamic molecular architectures, such as molecular tweezers, with applications in stimuli-responsive materials and solid-state optoelectronics. Their work bridges synthetic organic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, and materials science to create functional nanomaterials with tailored structures and properties.
Professor Kimiaki Washino's research lab specializes in computational modeling and simulation of particulate systems, with a focus on advanced numerical methods for fluid-particle and particle-particle interactions. The lab develops and applies innovative coupling techniques such as CFD–DEM and immersed boundary methods to simulate complex granular and multiphase flows in industrial processes like fluidized beds, wet granulation, and powder compaction. A key emphasis is placed on improving simulation accuracy and efficiency through non-local rheology, model particle approaches, and realistic representations of particle surface properties and cohesive forces.
Professor Masashi Aoki's research lab focuses on neuromuscular disorders, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and muscular dystrophies, with an emphasis on identifying genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression. The lab investigates genes such as dysferlin, SOD1, and EAAT2, exploring their roles in protein misfolding, endolysosomal trafficking, and glutamate transporter dysfunction. A key research direction involves understanding how disruptions in cellular degradation pathways, including autophagy and endosomal trafficking, contribute to neurodegeneration. The lab also examines surgical outcomes in musculoskeletal conditions, such as rotator cuff repair, integrating clinical and biomechanical assessments.
Professor Toshihiro Omori's research lab specializes in the development and fundamental understanding of advanced shape memory and superelastic alloys, with a focus on iron-based systems. The lab investigates martensitic transformations, magnetic phase transitions, and microstructure-property relationships to engineer materials with tailored temperature-dependent mechanical behavior. Key research directions include designing alloys with near-zero or tunable temperature dependence of superelastic stress, achieving large magnetic field-induced strains, and controlling grain growth for enhanced functional properties. The lab also explores the role of nano-scale precipitates and subgrain structures in enabling abnormal grain growth and single-crystal formation in shape memory alloys.
