Research labs at Korea's QS Top 10 universities including SNU, KAIST, and Yonsei.
Professor Yun Young Choi's research lab specializes in nuclear medicine and biomedical imaging, with a focus on molecular imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT for early disease detection and oncological applications. The lab investigates tracer uptake mechanisms in tumors, particularly using F-18 FDG and Tc-99m sestamibi, and explores their correlation with prognostic factors and molecular subtypes in breast cancer. Additionally, the lab examines physiological and pathological effects of substances like caffeine during critical developmental periods, as well as psychological and behavioral health, including the role of attachment, impulsivity, and social support in smartphone addiction. The integration of clinical imaging with psychological and biological research highlights a multidisciplinary approach to improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes.
Professor Juhee Park's research lab specializes in health and behavioral sciences, with a strong focus on improving patient safety in healthcare settings, promoting communication and mental health in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and advancing digital health technologies. The lab conducts interdisciplinary research spanning clinical psychology, health system safety, and innovative biomedical engineering solutions such as low-power medical capsule endoscopy. Key research directions include developing and validating measurement tools for patient safety awareness, examining protective factors like teacher closeness and peer attachment in adolescent mental health, and exploring the physiological impacts of modern technology use on musculoskeletal health. The lab integrates empirical research with practical applications to enhance health outcomes across diverse populations and clinical environments.
Professor Sung-hwan Park's research lab specializes in immunology and autoimmune diseases, with a focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Behçet’s disease. The lab investigates the role of genetic factors—such as HLA-B51 and MICA polymorphisms—alongside immune cell responses and inflammatory mediators in autoimmune conditions. It also explores therapeutic interventions, including immunosuppressive drugs, Coenzyme Q10, and natural compounds like red ginseng, to modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation. Additionally, the lab applies mechanical modeling to railway vehicle dynamics, particularly in friction and adhesion systems, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise in biomedical and engineering applications.
Professor YangHon Chung's research lab specializes in innovation and sustainability, focusing on green innovation, R&D efficiency, and environmental management in firms, particularly within manufacturing and construction industries. The lab investigates how technological and social innovations—such as green supply chain management, social entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility—contribute to firm performance and sustainable development. It also examines the role of institutional factors like firm size, chaebol affiliation, and social ties in shaping innovation outcomes. The lab employs advanced quantitative methods, including data envelopment analysis (DEA), structural equation modeling, and propensity score matching, to analyze firm-level data from Korean industries.
Professor Oh-Bin Kwon's research lab focuses on translational neuroscience and biomedical informatics, with a strong emphasis on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia and metabolic disorders. The lab investigates neuromodulatory systems—particularly neuregulin-1 and dopamine signaling—in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function, while also developing advanced AI-driven visual navigation systems using graph-structured memory and neural radiance mapping. Additionally, the lab explores hormonal and genetic factors in metabolic diseases, such as acromegaly and type 2 diabetes, with a focus on personalized medicine through genetic polymorphism analysis. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge molecular neuroscience, computational modeling, and clinical applications.
Professor Jung Ok Shim's research lab focuses on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a particular emphasis on the genetic and immunological mechanisms underlying very early-onset and neonatal-onset IBD. The lab investigates the role of innate immunity, gut barrier dysfunction, and microbial dysbiosis in disease pathogenesis, especially in genetically susceptible infants. Their work also includes epidemiological studies on pediatric systemic illnesses such as Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and rotavirus infections in preterm infants, aiming to improve clinical management and public health strategies.
Professor Yongrae Park's research lab focuses on advancing diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in breast and thyroid cancers through the integration of medical imaging, tumor immunology, and hematologic biomarkers. The lab investigates the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, changes in breast density over time, and the utility of contrast-enhanced imaging modalities such as CEDM and CEMRI in early cancer detection and surgical planning. Additionally, the lab explores predictive serum markers like CA19-9 and CA125 for peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer, emphasizing personalized and precision oncology approaches. Their work bridges radiology, pathology, and clinical oncology to improve patient outcomes through non-invasive and minimally invasive diagnostic strategies.
Professor Kiyun Yu's research lab specializes in advanced geospatial data processing, with a focus on remote sensing image fusion, floor plan understanding, and automated map generalization. The lab develops innovative machine learning and deep learning techniques—particularly convolutional and graph neural networks—to enhance spatial data interpretation, including spectral-spatial fusion in satellite imagery, vectorization of complex floor plans, and intelligent classification of cartographic features. Their work bridges computer vision, GIS, and urban data science to enable accurate, scalable, and robust analysis of large-scale, real-world spatial datasets.
Professor Hojin Choi's research lab focuses on neurological disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, with an emphasis on understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms involving key signaling pathways such as PI3K and GSK-3. The lab investigates neurodegeneration, neurogenesis, and the potential neuroprotective effects of compounds like CoQ10, while also exploring innovative diagnostic tools such as virtual reality-based assessments for mild cognitive impairment. The research integrates preclinical neuroscience with translational applications, including policy-relevant healthcare strategies for dementia care in aging populations.
Professor Minsuk Kim's research lab focuses on the intersection of nanomaterials, systems biology, and host-microbe interactions, with a strong emphasis on designing functional nanomaterials for biomedical and biotechnological applications. The lab develops advanced nanostructured materials—such as mesoporous silica and carbon capsules—engineered for controlled drug delivery and catalytic applications, while also leveraging systems metabolic modeling to understand and optimize microbial metabolism in industrially relevant organisms like *Streptomyces* and *Yarrowia lipolytica*. Additionally, the lab investigates the metabolic crosstalk between the host and gut microbiota in colorectal cancer pathogenesis, integrating metabolomics and microbiome profiling to uncover disease mechanisms. A key theme across projects is the translation of fundamental biological insights into therapeutic and biotechnological innovations.
Professor Min-Kyung Bae's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory diseases and fibrosis, with a particular emphasis on the role of micronutrients, bioactive compounds, and natural products in modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular metabolism. The lab investigates how nutrients such as vitamin D, selenium, taurine, and carotenoids (e.g., fucoxanthin and astaxanthin) exert protective effects in gastrointestinal and liver diseases, including *Helicobacter pylori*-induced gastritis and hepatic fibrosis. Using preclinical models such as Mongolian gerbils and primary hepatic stellate cells, the lab explores metabolic reprogramming in disease-associated cell activation and the regulatory roles of microRNAs and DNA damage response pathways. The overarching goal is to identify nutritional and phytochemical interventions that can prevent or treat chronic inflammatory and fibrotic conditions.
Professor Jongchan Lee's research lab specializes in clinical oncology, with a primary focus on gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly pancreatic and gastric cancers. The lab investigates prognostic biomarkers, treatment outcomes, and supportive care strategies, including chemotherapy regimens like FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-based therapies, as well as complications such as venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. A key emphasis is placed on real-world data from Korean patient populations to refine treatment protocols and improve survival and quality of life.
Professor Hokyung Choung's research lab specializes in ocular oncology and autoimmune disorders of the eye, with a focus on IgG4-related disease, ocular adnexal lymphomas, and orbital tumors. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions, including epigenetic alterations such as CpG island methylation and dysregulation of key signaling pathways like Sonic hedgehog and Wnt. Clinical and pathological studies are integrated with translational research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and surgical outcomes in patients with complex orbital and ocular surface diseases.
Professor Ji Min Choi's research lab focuses on the interplay between gastrointestinal diseases, metabolic disorders, and systemic health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the roles of *Helicobacter pylori* infection, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and mental health in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The lab investigates the biological mechanisms linking chronic infections and liver dysfunction to systemic inflammation, arterial stiffness, and epigenetic changes, especially through miRNA regulation. It also explores psychosocial factors such as happiness and mental well-being as mediators in health policy and public health outcomes. The research integrates clinical epidemiology, molecular biology, and population-based health data to uncover modifiable risk factors and preventive strategies.
Professor Eun-Ju Jung's research lab specializes in advanced optical sensing and biomedical imaging technologies, with a focus on developing high-speed, high-sensitivity optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and fiber optic sensors for clinical diagnostics. The lab pioneers innovative light sources—such as Fourier domain mode-locked lasers and continuous-wave supercontinuum sources—enabling deeper tissue imaging and improved signal resolution in medical applications. Key research directions include functional and molecular imaging, real-time tissue monitoring, and the development of novel optical sensors for oncology and surgical guidance.
Professor Yongseok Choi's research lab specializes in energy-efficient power management systems and advanced materials for sustainable electronics and biomedical applications. The lab focuses on optimizing DC-DC converter efficiency in portable devices, developing high-performance organic thin-film transistors with high-k dielectrics, and exploring novel bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Recent work also includes the development of environmentally friendly polymers for antibacterial coatings and the application of fungal enzymes for dye degradation in wastewater treatment.
Professor Jaewon Jeong's research lab specializes in advanced functional materials and laser-based processing techniques for micro- and nanoscale devices. The lab focuses on laser-induced sintering of nanoparticle inks to fabricate high-performance microconductors and microlines with bulk-like electrical properties, particularly for flexible and polymer-based electronics. Key research directions include pulsed laser curing, thermal management in additive manufacturing, and the development of non-contact, low-temperature processes for sensitive substrates. The lab also explores synergistic effects in sono-photocatalysis and infrared thermal velocimetry for microfluidic applications, leveraging optical and thermal phenomena at microscale.
Professor Ki-Yong Byun's research lab specializes in higher education policy, university governance, and academic administration in South Korea. The lab focuses on systemic reforms in Korean higher education, particularly the internationalization of universities, the development of quality undergraduate education, and the institutionalization of policy research. It also examines research methodologies such as grounded theory and policy analysis to improve the quality and impact of higher education studies.
Professor Dong-In Oh's research lab specializes in biomedical electrical impedance imaging and sensing, with a focus on developing advanced multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography (mfEIT) systems for functional medical imaging, particularly of the brain. The lab pioneers innovations in high-precision current and voltage signal acquisition, calibration techniques, and electrode array design to enhance image quality and system reliability. They also investigate the electromechanical behavior of conductive materials, such as smart fabrics, for use in wearable and bio-integrated sensors. Their work bridges engineering, biophysics, and clinical applications through the development of novel measurement systems and calibration protocols.
Professor Ho-Jin Jo's research lab specializes in biomedical image analysis, clinical pharmacology, and neurobiological modeling, with a strong focus on aging-related health challenges and mental health in clinical populations. The lab develops advanced computational methods for medical image processing—such as texture-aware filtering and scene text detection—while also conducting population-level health studies on polypharmacy and its outcomes in elderly populations. Additionally, the lab investigates the neurobiological underpinnings of neurodevelopmental disorders using animal models, particularly in understanding connectivity disruptions in autism spectrum disorder. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge computer vision, clinical data science, and neuroscience to improve health outcomes in aging and neurodiverse populations.
