Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Sung Hye Kong's research lab specializes in osteoporosis and musculoskeletal health, with a strong focus on leveraging machine learning and advanced imaging techniques to improve fracture risk prediction and personalized patient management. The lab investigates metabolic and clinical factors influencing bone health, cognitive decline in older adults, and the impact of vitamin D supplementation on fractures and falls. Using longitudinal cohort data and deep learning models—particularly on radiographic images—the lab develops innovative, data-driven tools for early detection and prevention of osteoporotic fractures.
Professor Kyung-Duk Park's research lab specializes in nanoscale optical spectroscopy and nanomechanical engineering of two-dimensional (2D) materials, with a focus on excitonic phenomena, strain engineering, and light-matter interactions at the nanometer scale. The lab develops advanced tip-enhanced spectroscopic techniques—such as tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS), tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL), and tip-enhanced strong coupling (TESC)—to achieve sub-10 nm spatial resolution and real-time dynamic control of optical and electronic properties in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Key research directions include nanoscale exciton transport, dynamic strain engineering of atomic layers, and the integration of plasmonic nanostructures for enhanced and tunable quantum optical responses. The lab’s work bridges fundamental nanophotonics with applications in next-generation ultrathin optoelectronic and quantum devices.
Professor Shin Hye Yoo's research lab focuses on translational oncology and supportive care in cancer, with a strong emphasis on immunotherapy, biomarker discovery, and patient-centered outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The lab investigates the prognostic and predictive roles of immune-related markers such as PD-L1 and MHC class I, explores the impact of treatment-related metabolic heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer, and evaluates real-world effectiveness and financial toxicity of low-dose immunotherapies. Additionally, the lab contributes to improving palliative care integration through national surveys on patient and caregiver attitudes toward early palliative care.
Professor Ha, Minsu's research lab specializes in diagnostic and interventional radiology, with a primary focus on thyroid and breast diseases. The lab investigates imaging-based risk stratification systems, such as TIRADS, to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary biopsies in thyroid nodules. It also explores the role of advanced imaging techniques—like MRI and ultrasound—in guiding surgical decisions for breast cancer, particularly in challenging subtypes like invasive lobular carcinoma. Additionally, the lab evaluates minimally invasive treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, for benign and low-risk thyroid nodules, emphasizing long-term safety and efficacy.
Professor Hyeon Ji Kim's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer metastasis, with an emphasis on the biomechanical properties of cancer cells and the role of cytoskeletal proteins such as keratin in disease progression. The lab also investigates neurodegenerative processes, particularly oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the hippocampus, and explores the neuroprotective potential of natural compounds like ginsenosides. Additionally, the lab examines cellular senescence in skin fibroblasts and the regulation of autophagy through enzymes such as ARG2, highlighting the role of microRNAs and protein interactions. A key therapeutic focus includes screening repurposed drugs—such as ketotifen and LW1497—for their anti-metastatic and anti-EMT effects in cancer models.
Professor Kyung-Seok Lee's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation, particularly the roles of protein kinases in cell division and signaling pathways. The lab investigates conserved kinases such as MAP kinases, Polo-like kinases (Plk), and phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), with a strong emphasis on their functions in cell cycle progression, immune responses, and disease mechanisms. Key research directions include the subcellular localization and regulatory mechanisms of these kinases, as well as their implications in cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Professor Seung Soo Hong's research spans biomedical engineering, hepatobiliary surgery, and astrophysical fluid dynamics. His lab focuses on the surgical management and oncological outcomes of hepatobiliary malignancies, particularly hilar cholangiocarcinoma and ampulla of Vater cancer, with an emphasis on comparing minimally invasive and radical resection techniques. Additionally, the lab investigates physiological mechanisms of pancreatic and biliary secretion, and explores gravitational instability in astrophysical gas disks using theoretical and computational models. These diverse interests reflect a unique integration of clinical surgery, physiological research, and theoretical astrophysics.
Professor Daeun Park's research lab focuses on the psychological and motivational factors that influence academic achievement, particularly how individuals' mindsets—such as beliefs about intelligence (entity vs. incremental) and stress (beneficial vs. harmful)—shape learning, self-regulation, and performance. The lab investigates how these mindsets interact with environmental factors like parental support, teacher practices, and social cues (e.g., anthropomorphic helpers) to affect students’ motivation, working memory, and self-control. A central theme is the role of cognitive and emotional processes in academic resilience, especially in response to failure, stress, and anxiety.
Professor Park Hoonki's research lab specializes in biomedical engineering and health informatics, focusing on wearable physiological monitoring systems, motion artifact reduction in photoplethysmography (PPG), and the development of machine learning models for rapid, accurate triage in emergency settings. The lab integrates multi-sensor PPG technology with advanced signal processing techniques such as independent component analysis (ICA) and singular value decomposition to enhance the reliability of vital sign measurements. Additionally, the lab explores clinical decision support systems, including consciousness indices and survival prediction models, to improve pre-hospital and mass casualty triage outcomes.
Professor Hyeon Chul Lim's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal motility disorders and minimally invasive therapeutic interventions, with a strong focus on functional gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal achalasia, and functional dyspepsia. The lab is actively engaged in developing evidence-based clinical guidelines and advancing endoscopic therapies like peroral endoscopic myotomy and radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules. Additionally, the lab explores innovative medical technologies, including wireless automatic drone charging stations, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to improving clinical outcomes and healthcare system efficiency.
Professor Ha-Na Yoon's research lab focuses on the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract disorders, with a particular emphasis on interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, overactive bladder, and the impact of chronic stress and metabolic factors on bladder function. The lab investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying persistent uropathogen infections, autophagy in bladder epithelial cells, and neurohormonal changes affecting bladder stability. Using both preclinical models and clinical urodynamic studies, the lab explores the interplay between inflammation, pain sensitization, and lifestyle-related metabolic factors in women’s urological health.
Professor Seung Wan Kang's research lab specializes in translational neuroscience and integrative biomedicine, focusing on the interplay between physiological systems, brain function, and lifestyle interventions. Key research directions include investigating the gut-brain axis in radiation-induced complications, evaluating the impact of dietary supplements—such as polyphenols and antioxidants—on exercise performance and sleep quality, and developing quantitative EEG-based biomarkers for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The lab also pioneers the use of machine learning to enhance EEG signal interpretation, particularly in identifying amyloid pathology in preclinical stages of cognitive decline.
Professor Ji Young Lee's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research, with a strong emphasis on neurosurgical outcomes in pediatric hydrocephalus, molecular mechanisms of cancer therapy (particularly p53-dependent pathways), and metabolic liver disease using preclinical models. The lab also investigates the role of cellular proteins in apoptosis and mitochondrial function, and explores sociocultural dimensions of digital media, including e-sports and social media behavior in South Korea. These diverse yet interconnected research directions reflect a commitment to understanding both biological mechanisms and societal impacts of health and technology.
Professor Joo-Sun Oh's research lab specializes in sedimentary geology and microbial carbonate systems, with a focus on ancient microbial buildups, carbonate platform development, and the interplay between microbial activity and environmental conditions in Precambrian and Paleozoic settings. The lab investigates microbial facies, thromolites, stromatolites, and epiphyton-like structures in Cambrian to Eocene successions across China, Antarctica, and the Southern Ocean, integrating field-based sedimentology with detailed microfacies analysis. Additional research extends to extraterrestrial sedimentary systems, particularly Martian alluvial and lacustrine basins, where the lab examines depositional processes, paleohydrology, and climate evolution through orbital and stratigraphic analysis. The lab combines field observations, high-resolution lithostratigraphy, and comparative planetary geology to reconstruct Earth and Mars' ancient surface environments and their implications for life and climate change.
Professor Maei Kim's research lab specializes in volunteerism within sport organizations, with a focus on understanding the motivational drivers, retention factors, and identity dynamics that influence volunteer engagement in youth sports, mega-sporting events, and special needs sports programs. The lab integrates theories such as person-environment fit, psychological contract theory, empowerment, and the theory of planned behavior to examine how organizational practices and individual perceptions shape intention to continue volunteering. Research also emphasizes instrument development, such as the modified Volunteer Functions Inventory for Sports, to better measure context-specific volunteer motivations.
Professor Eun-Ae Park's research lab focuses on neonatal and pediatric health, with a primary emphasis on improving outcomes for very low birth weight and preterm infants. Key research directions include investigating sex differences in neonatal mortality and morbidity, optimizing early nutritional interventions to support growth and neurodevelopment, and exploring the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. The lab also examines clinical interventions for rare pediatric conditions such as infantile hemangioendothelioma and investigates broader health-related behavioral and psychological factors, including the impact of brand personality on consumer behavior in health and wellness contexts.
Professor Jung Hyun Cho's research lab specializes in translational gastroenterology and oncology, focusing on improving the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly pancreatic and biliary tract cancers. The lab develops innovative diagnostic technologies—such as nanoplasmonic sensing for extracellular vesicles—and explores novel therapeutic strategies, including drug delivery systems to enhance bioavailability and combination therapies for aggressive cancers. A key emphasis is on identifying cancer stem cell markers and biomarkers for early detection and precision medicine.
Professor Yu-La Lee's research lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and metabolic disorders, with a particular emphasis on signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and inflammatory mediators like interleukin-6 in multiple myeloma and colorectal cancer. The lab also investigates the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived paracrine factors in osteoarthritis and explores natural compounds, such as thyme extract, for mitigating high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunction and gut barrier impairment. Utilizing advanced metabolomics and targeted LC-MS/MS methods, the lab aims to identify key metabolites and signaling molecules involved in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic response.
Professor Donggeun Yoon's research lab specializes in urban resilience, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction, with a focus on the interplay between urban form, environmental factors, and community vulnerability. The lab investigates urban heat island effects, air quality in relation to urban morphology, infrastructure performance in extreme climates, and community-level disaster resilience using statistical and spatial analysis methods. Research integrates geographic information systems (GIS), regression modeling, and empirical data to inform urban planning and policy for sustainable and equitable cities.
Professor Jeeun Kim's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research with a strong emphasis on infectious diseases, hematological malignancies, and metabolic disorders. The lab investigates the pathogenesis and clinical management of conditions such as *Clostridium difficile* infection, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and obesity-related type 2 diabetes, with a particular interest in biomarkers, disease severity assessment, and personalized therapeutic strategies. The lab also explores innovative digital methodologies in fashion design for inclusivity, reflecting a unique interdisciplinary approach to health and human-centered design. Recent work highlights the importance of early detection in hepatocellular carcinoma and the role of chronic inflammation in metabolic disease.
