Research labs at Korea's QS Top 10 universities including SNU, KAIST, and Yonsei.
Professor Hye-sik Jang's research lab specializes in viral genomics, transcriptomics, and epitranscriptomics, with a focus on understanding the complex regulatory mechanisms of viral gene expression and host-pathogen interactions. The lab employs advanced sequencing technologies—such as nanopore direct RNA sequencing, DNA nanoball sequencing, and ribosome profiling—to dissect the transcriptomic and translational landscapes of human pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). A key emphasis is placed on uncovering non-canonical transcripts, long non-coding RNAs, and post-transcriptional regulation in infected tissues, particularly in the context of in vivo pathogenesis. The lab also develops innovative bioinformatics tools and sequencing workflows for accurate detection of challenging genomic variants, such as large tandem repeat expansions in neurological disorders.
Professor Kyung-Sang Yoo's research lab specializes in clinical pharmacology and drug disposition, with a focus on drug-drug interactions, pharmacogenomics, and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiling of novel therapeutics. The lab investigates how genetic polymorphisms (e.g., CYP2C19, CYP3A5) and co-administered drugs influence the absorption, metabolism, and efficacy of medications, particularly in anti-infective agents, proton pump inhibitors, and antihypertensives. Their work integrates in vivo human studies with in vitro mechanistic assays to understand transporter and enzyme-mediated drug interactions.
Professor Jae Young Park's research lab specializes in biomedical engineering and clinical research, focusing on vascular interventions, prostate cancer risk prediction, and materials science. The lab conducts clinical studies on endovascular treatments for venous thrombosis, develops predictive models for prostate biopsy outcomes using Korean population data, and investigates the microstructural and textural evolution in advanced metallic materials such as Fe-Si alloys. The research integrates clinical data analysis with materials characterization to improve patient outcomes and material performance.
Professor Jong Yun Kim's research lab specializes in remote sensing and environmental monitoring, focusing on the development of advanced satellite-based methods to estimate key land surface and environmental parameters. The lab integrates multi-sensor satellite data—particularly from MODIS and Landsat—to improve spatial and temporal resolution for applications in soil moisture, evapotranspiration, land surface temperature, and vegetation dynamics. Research also extends to environmental health, examining the long-term impacts of air pollution, especially PM₂.₅, on human mortality. The lab emphasizes data-driven, ground-truthing minimal approaches for large-scale environmental assessment and modeling.
Professor Jin-Ho Shin's research lab focuses on cardiovascular disease prevention and risk stratification, with a strong emphasis on hypertension management, coronary artery disease (CAD) prediction, and the role of novel biomarkers such as epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in assessing cardiovascular risk. The lab investigates hemodynamic monitoring techniques—particularly ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring—tailored to Asian populations, and explores the impact of dietary interventions, especially sodium and potassium modulation, in controlling hypertension. Additionally, the lab examines cardioprotective agents and mechanisms, including the therapeutic potential of specific peptides in mitigating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. These integrated approaches aim to improve early detection, prevention, and personalized treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Professor Bil-Gi Min's research lab specializes in vascular and metabolic medicine, with a focus on interventional cardiology, biomarker discovery, and the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. The lab investigates the role of circulating microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, particularly in conditions like Takayasu arteritis, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes-related vascular complications. It also explores the impact of pharmacological agents—such as statins and antiplatelet therapies—on vascular and muscular health, integrating clinical, molecular, and translational approaches.
Professor Lee Zang He's research lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying bone metabolism and immune regulation, with a central emphasis on osteoclastogenesis, bone homeostasis, and the role of signaling pathways in pathological bone loss. The lab investigates key regulators such as RANKL, HDACs, and TRAF proteins, exploring their roles in osteoclast differentiation and apoptosis, as well as the immunomodulatory functions of acute-phase proteins like haptoglobin in bone remodeling. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, the lab aims to identify novel therapeutic targets for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal disease.
Professor Bil-Sung Yang's research lab specializes in cardiovascular disease epidemiology and preventive cardiology, with a strong focus on atrial fibrillation (AF) in Asian populations. The lab investigates stroke risk stratification, particularly through the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, and evaluates the impact of frailty, obesity, and metabolic factors on AF outcomes. It also explores novel therapeutic targets such as HMGB1 in pulmonary hypertension and the clinical benefits of catheter ablation and integrated care pathways like the ABC pathway in real-world settings. The lab leverages large-scale national health databases to generate evidence for personalized and population-based cardiovascular care strategies.
Professor Wook-beom Pyeon's research lab specializes in cardiovascular and hypertension-related epidemiology, with a focus on the long-term effects of antihypertensive medications on cancer risk, cardiac outcomes in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and the impact of environmental factors such as air pollution and temperature on acute myocardial infarction. The lab also investigates the complex interplay between antihypertensive therapy and infectious complications—particularly in the elderly—highlighting the clinical implications of drug-induced hemodynamic changes during severe infections. Their work leverages large-scale national health databases to refine risk stratification and optimize treatment strategies in hypertensive and cardiovascular patients.
Professor Lee Mi Ji's research lab specializes in cerebrovascular and neurological disorders, with a focus on stroke, migraine, and small vessel disease in the context of aging and neurodegeneration. The lab investigates the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying conditions such as hypercoagulability in stroke patients with cancer, blood-brain barrier disruption in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), and the synergistic impact of amyloid burden and white matter hyperintensities on cognitive decline in subjective cognitive impairment. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques—including resting-state fMRI, amyloid PET, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI—the lab aims to identify early biomarkers and improve clinical diagnosis and management of neurological diseases.
Professor Jin Wook Jeoung's research lab specializes in retinal imaging and glaucoma diagnostics, focusing on the application of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to assess structural changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL). The lab investigates the diagnostic performance of OCT parameters in glaucoma, particularly in challenging populations such as high myopes, and explores the impact of ocular biometrics like axial length and optic disc size on OCT measurements. A key innovation in the lab is the development and validation of deep learning algorithms to enhance early detection of glaucomatous changes with high sensitivity and specificity.
Professor Young Ki Kim's research lab specializes in the design and application of functional soft matter systems, with a focus on liquid crystals (LCs) and optical metasurfaces. The lab explores dynamic, stimuli-responsive materials that integrate LCs with nanostructured photonic platforms to enable real-time, visual, and compact sensing and display technologies. Key research directions include the development of ultracompact holographic sensors, active flat optics, and self-organizing nanofiber arrays using liquid crystal templates. The lab also investigates fundamental phenomena in phase transitions and topological defects in lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals.
Professor Dae-Hoon Han's research lab specializes in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, with a strong focus on advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques for liver resection and living donor liver transplantation. The lab investigates novel biomarkers, such as SDC2 methylation in stool DNA, for early detection of colorectal cancer, while also exploring prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in cases with heterogeneous histologic grades. A key research direction involves optimizing outcomes in complex liver surgery through innovative approaches like right lobe donor right hepatectomy (RLDRH) and multimodal therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Professor Chang-Sung Kim's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and biomaterials, with a primary focus on periodontal regeneration and stem cell therapy. The lab investigates the isolation, characterization, and therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells—particularly from periodontal ligament tissue—aiming to enhance tissue repair in periodontal and intervertebral disc defects. Additional research directions include the development of bioactive materials such as autogenous bone and coral-derived biomaterials for guided tissue regeneration, as well as the evaluation of clinical outcomes in peri-implantitis and intrabony defects. The lab also explores the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell paracrine signaling in tissue repair, integrating in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.
Professor Jae Woo Song's research lab specializes in translational biomedical imaging and hematology, focusing on the development and application of advanced imaging techniques—such as dual-energy CT and perfusion imaging—for improved diagnosis and prognosis in critical conditions like sepsis and lung nodules. The lab also investigates the pathophysiological roles of blood cell parameters, including the delta neutrophil index and platelet dynamics, with an emphasis on quantifying cellular responses in inflammatory and coagulation disorders. Additionally, the lab explores the genetic influences on hemostatic factors, particularly the impact of ABO blood groups on von Willebrand factor and factor VIII levels across diverse populations.
Professor Ji Hoon Lee's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced functional materials for sustainable energy applications, with a strong focus on electrocatalysis, energy storage, and carbon capture. The lab explores innovative materials such as graphene-based composites, metal-organic frameworks (e.g., Prussian blue analogues), and porous polymers to enhance performance in electrochemical CO₂ reduction, aqueous rechargeable batteries, and selective CO₂ capture. By integrating in situ characterization techniques with theoretical calculations like DFT, the lab aims to uncover structure-activity relationships and guide the rational design of next-generation materials. Their work consistently targets practical challenges such as improving selectivity, stability, and scalability in energy conversion and storage technologies.
Professor Chosta's research lab specializes in low-power wireless communication systems and energy-efficient electronics for wireless sensor networks, with a strong focus on optimizing energy consumption in distributed microsensor systems. The lab develops advanced RF transceiver architectures—such as FSK modulators with fast startup and low power consumption—using innovative CMOS design techniques to extend network lifetime. It also explores interdisciplinary applications, including STEAM-integrated robotics in education and pavement structural health monitoring through analytical modeling of material debonding. The lab bridges cutting-edge electronics design with real-world applications in environmental monitoring, infrastructure health, and educational technology.
Professor Wooseok Choi's research lab specializes in the epitaxial growth and in-situ characterization of complex oxide thin films, with a focus on understanding and controlling their electronic, structural, and functional properties through topotactic phase transformations and oxygen non-stoichiometry. The lab employs advanced real-time spectroscopic techniques—such as spectroscopic ellipsometry and optical spectroscopy—combined with first-principles calculations to probe dynamic changes in electronic structure, metal-insulator transitions, and oxygen diffusion. Key research directions include the design of functional oxides for electrocatalysis, multiferroics, and oxide-based electronic and spintronic devices, with an emphasis on interface engineering and atomic-scale control of oxidation. The lab also explores coherent oxidation dynamics in transition metals, enabling full-color tuning in copper oxide systems through precise thickness control of epitaxial oxide layers.
Professor Beom Soo Shin's research lab specializes in pharmaceutical sciences and translational pharmacokinetics, with a focus on developing advanced drug delivery systems and predicting drug behavior in the body. The lab employs innovative technologies such as 3D printing for gastroretentive formulations and applies physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to predict tissue distribution and systemic exposure of xenobiotics in preclinical and clinical settings. Research also extends to the disposition and bioavailability of various xenobiotics, including antivirals, environmental endocrine disruptors, and mycotoxins, using sensitive analytical methods and in vivo models. The lab's work bridges drug formulation, pharmacokinetic modeling, and clinical translation to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Professor Yeon Lee's research lab specializes in the design and development of smart polyion complex (PIC) micelles for advanced drug delivery, with a focus on pH-responsive nanocarriers that enable efficient intracellular protein and gene delivery. The lab pioneers charge-conversional polymers—such as those with citraconic or aconitic amide moieties—that switch from anionic to cationic in endosomes, triggering rapid cargo release and enhancing endosomal escape. By integrating biocompatible polymers like PEG-pAsp and disulfide-based cationic polymers, the lab achieves high transfection efficiency with minimal cytotoxicity, particularly in primary cells. Their work emphasizes stimuli-responsive delivery systems for biologics, including proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids, with applications in cancer therapy and regenerative medicine.
