Research labs at Korea's QS Top 10 universities including SNU, KAIST, and Yonsei.
Professor Hayoung Chung's research lab specializes in the multiscale mechanics and design of smart functional materials, with a focus on liquid crystal networks (LCNs) and cellular structures. The lab develops advanced computational frameworks—such as multiscale modeling, finite element analysis, and level-set topology optimization—to understand and predict photomechanical and thermoelastic behaviors in these materials. Key research directions include the design of multi-material, manufacturable cellular architectures and the integration of nonlinear material responses into structural optimization for applications in soft robotics, adaptive structures, and additive manufacturing. The lab emphasizes the synergy between material microstructure, macroscopic performance, and manufacturability through physics-based modeling and simulation.
Professor Jungirl Seok's research lab specializes in head and neck oncology, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy, surgical planning, and prognostic prediction in salivary gland and thyroid cancers. The lab integrates advanced medical imaging, deep learning, and 3D printing technologies to develop personalized models for tumor visualization and surgical guidance. Key research directions include identifying clinical and radiological predictors of metastasis in adenoid cystic carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma, as well as developing AI-driven tools for anatomical structure detection in otolaryngological endoscopy.
Professor Narae Lee's research lab focuses on interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of urban policy, public health, and innovation economics. The lab investigates spatial crime patterns through urban design metrics like walkability, examines the economic and policy implications of regulatory frameworks—particularly in environmental and transportation sectors—and explores the role of innovation ecosystems, such as bio-clusters, in driving firm-level performance. A recurring theme is the analysis of unintended consequences of policy interventions and institutional mechanisms that shape social and economic outcomes.
Professor Chi-hyuk Oh's research lab specializes in advanced endoscopic interventions for biliary and pancreatic disorders, with a strong focus on improving outcomes in complex biliary stone disease and peripancreatic fluid collections. The lab investigates innovative endoscopic techniques such as cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy, endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage, and radiation dose optimization during ERCP. A key emphasis is placed on developing evidence-based clinical guidelines and enhancing procedural safety through radiation protection strategies and device innovation.
Professor Kyung-Jin Hwang's research lab specializes in clinical and neuroimaging studies focusing on neurological disorders, particularly epilepsy, insomnia, and cerebrovascular or structural brain diseases. The lab investigates the neural correlates of sleep and epilepsy syndromes using advanced MRI techniques, with an emphasis on identifying reversible brain abnormalities and understanding the pathophysiology of movement and cognitive disturbances. Research also extends to metabolic encephalopathies and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and ischemic stroke, integrating neuropsychological assessments with neuroimaging findings.
Professor Hyun Seok Yang's research lab specializes in intelligent imaging and robotic systems, focusing on advanced signal processing, machine learning, and mechatronics for real-world applications. The lab develops cutting-edge solutions in digital holography for 3D imaging and speckle noise reduction using deep learning, while also advancing soft sensor technologies for industrial processes such as steelmaking. Another key research direction involves the design and control of transformable and adaptive mobile robots to enhance mobility and obstacle negotiation in complex environments. The lab integrates computational intelligence with physical systems to enable robust, real-time performance in dynamic and uncertain conditions.
Professor Ming-Chul Oh's research lab specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and electronic property analysis of advanced functional materials, with a strong focus on two-dimensional quantum materials such as magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene and transition metal oxide thin films. The lab investigates correlated electron phenomena, superconductivity, and electron-boson coupling in 2D heterostructures using advanced spectroscopic and transport techniques. It also explores defect engineering, dielectric reliability, and electrical properties in oxide thin films for next-generation electronic and energy storage applications.
Professor Ji-young Han's research lab specializes in media psychology, political communication, and social polarization, with a focus on how news framing, emotional responses, and digital media environments shape public opinion and ideological polarization. The lab investigates the role of emotions—particularly anger—in spreading misinformation, the impact of conflict framing along identity lines (such as partisanship and gender), and the dynamics of digital echo chambers in online news environments. Using experimental and survey-based methodologies, the lab explores mechanisms like motivated reasoning, self-categorization, and ideological identity salience in shaping political attitudes and social behavior.
Professor Sungtae Kim's research lab specializes in media and communication studies with a focus on the evolving dynamics of digital and new media in contemporary society. The lab explores how technological advancements—particularly in internet and social media—reshape audience behavior, media consumption patterns, and political participation. Key research directions include agenda-setting in online environments, media literacy among youth, resistance to new media adoption, and the methodological rigor of content analysis in communication research. The lab also investigates the transformation of media ecosystems, especially in the context of convergence between old and new media, and the implications for public discourse and civic engagement.
Professor Jinhyun Park's research lab specializes in advanced vehicle dynamics and control systems, with a focus on in-wheel electric vehicle technology, integrated torque distribution strategies, and vehicle stability optimization. The lab also engages in theoretical mathematics, particularly in algebraic K-theory and higher Chow groups with modulus, contributing to foundational research in algebraic geometry. Additionally, the lab applies machine learning and deep neural networks to real-world challenges in nuclear nondestructive testing and digital psychiatry, demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary approach. The integration of control engineering, mathematical theory, and AI-driven data analysis defines the lab’s innovative research direction.
Professor Minjun Kim's research lab specializes in advanced control methodologies for mechatronic systems, with a strong focus on robotic manipulators, aerial robots, and human-robot interaction. The lab develops robust and passive control frameworks—such as disturbance observer-based control, nonlinear H∞ optimization, and passivity-based admittance control—to ensure stability and performance in the presence of uncertainties and dynamic coupling. Key research directions include cable-suspended aerial manipulators, flexible-joint robots, and series elastic actuators with enhanced torque control, all aimed at improving safety, robustness, and human-robot interaction. The lab emphasizes theoretical rigor combined with experimental validation in complex, real-world robotic applications.
Professor Byung-Soo Min's research lab specializes in advanced surgical oncology, with a primary focus on rectal and colon cancer management. The lab investigates minimally invasive surgical techniques—particularly robotic and laparoscopic colectomy—aimed at improving oncologic outcomes and reducing postoperative complications. Key research directions include optimizing surgical strategies through intraoperative imaging (e.g., near-infrared fluorescence), assessing preoperative imaging markers for risk stratification, and exploring stent-assisted resection in obstructive colorectal cancer. The lab emphasizes precision surgery, anatomical innovation, and evidence-based treatment planning to enhance patient survival and quality of life.
Professor Ji Hyun Jo's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research with a strong emphasis on clinical biomarkers and their applications in oncology and hematology. The lab investigates novel diagnostic markers such as tumor M2-PK and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) to improve early detection and monitoring of gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies. Additionally, the lab explores the impact of medical interventions—such as irradiation on blood products—on cellular components like microparticles, contributing to transfusion safety. The integration of clinical diagnostics with molecular mechanisms defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach.
Professor Jeong-Pyo Lee's research lab specializes in plasma physics and materials science, with a focus on fusion energy research and advanced thin film deposition. The lab investigates turbulent momentum transport, intrinsic rotation, and stability in tokamak plasmas, particularly through kinetic and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling. It also explores surface engineering techniques such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) on functionalized substrates to control film growth and interfacial properties. These interdisciplinary efforts aim to enhance plasma confinement and material performance for fusion energy applications.
Professor Kyung-eun Han's research lab specializes in ophthalmic translational medicine, focusing on corneal diseases, ocular surface disorders, and regenerative therapies. The lab investigates genetic factors in corneal dystrophies, such as GCD2, and explores novel treatments for corneal injuries using human-derived biological agents like amniotic membrane and serum. Key research directions include the pathogenesis of corneal neovascularization, the development of safe and effective electrosurgical techniques for lymphangiectasis, and the preclinical evaluation of regenerative therapies in animal models of alkali burns. The lab emphasizes precision medicine through genetic analysis and longitudinal clinical evaluation.
Professor Kang Youngmi's research lab focuses on bioethics, nursing practice, and patient-centered care in critical care and chronic illness management. Her work explores moral distress among nurses, the impact of sleep disturbances on adolescent mental health, and the effectiveness of psychoeducational and self-management interventions in improving health outcomes. The lab emphasizes ethical education in nursing curricula and patient empowerment in conditions such as end-stage renal disease and urinary incontinence.
Professor Jung-Min Pyun's research lab specializes in translational neuroscience and biomarker discovery for neurodegenerative diseases, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The lab investigates polygenic risk scores, blood-based biomarkers such as oligomeric amyloid-β, and vascular and metabolic factors—including fibrinogen and thyroid function—in relation to cognitive decline and disease progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. Key research directions include identifying predictive biomarkers for early diagnosis, understanding the impact of amyloid burden and pharmacological interventions like cholinesterase inhibitors, and exploring real-world outcomes such as driving cessation in MCI patients. The lab integrates clinical neuroscience with molecular and systemic biomarker analysis to advance precision medicine in aging and neurodegeneration.
Professor Jihyeon Kim's research lab focuses on interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of public health, developmental psychology, and bilingual cognition. The lab investigates critical issues such as food safety and hygiene in school meal environments, the psychological and social determinants of well-being in mothers and older adults, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying bilingual language processing. A central theme across her work is the promotion of health, well-being, and quality of life across the lifespan, with particular attention to gender, aging, and socio-cultural factors.
Professor Jeong-Ran Choi's research lab focuses on the genetic and metabolic underpinnings of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, with a strong emphasis on identifying biomarkers and genetic variants associated with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and chemotherapy-related toxicities. The lab integrates population-based longitudinal studies with molecular genetics to explore the roles of genes such as ABCB1, SLCO1B3, HTR2A, and CDH13 in disease susceptibility and treatment response. Key research directions include the clinical relevance of metabolic regulators like fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and adiponectin in early disease detection and risk prediction.
Professor Soyoung Won’s research lab focuses on gender, work-family policies, and organizational equity in contemporary South Korean society. The lab investigates the intersection of gender norms, public policy, and workplace practices, particularly examining how family-friendly policies—such as parental leave and work-life balance initiatives—are experienced differently by men and women. Research directions include the gendered realities of work-life integration, the implementation gaps in social welfare policies, and the role of public servants in shaping multicultural and inclusive governance. The lab employs qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to uncover structural inequalities and institutional resistance to gender equity.
