Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Insu Choi's research lab specializes in the psychology of creativity, with a strong focus on cross-cultural perspectives, youth well-being, and the development of psychometric tools to assess creative thinking and leadership in children and adolescents. The lab investigates how creativity, personality, and cognitive abilities interact, particularly in educational and developmental contexts, and designs and validates innovative assessment instruments such as the Creative Problem Solving Profile Inventory (CPSPI) and youth well-being scales. The lab also explores the enhancement of creative problem-solving skills through structured educational programs in higher education settings.
Professor Hyung-wook Kim's research lab specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, with a focus on laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy, particularly in complex and elderly patient populations. The lab investigates perioperative outcomes, pain management, and patient recovery, including the impact of early oral feeding and adjuvant therapies like intravenous lidocaine in colorectal surgery. A key interest lies in optimizing surgical strategies to improve safety and cosmesis, especially in high-risk groups such as octogenarians and those with complicated gallbladder disease. The lab also explores systemic links between gastrointestinal health and other chronic conditions, such as periodontitis and colorectal adenoma risk.
Professor Jun-ki Kim's research lab specializes in network governance and social innovation, focusing on inter-organizational collaboration in public and social service sectors. The lab investigates how social capital, organizational networks, and policy support systems influence organizational effectiveness and work-life balance, particularly in welfare and community-based institutions. It also explores the role of structural and relational factors in shaping sustainable governance models through mixed-methods approaches combining quantitative network analysis and qualitative interviews. The lab's work bridges social science and public policy with practical implications for institutional reform and social equity.
Professor Jaemyung Ahn's research lab specializes in aerospace systems engineering, with a focus on multi-agent coordination, real-time trajectory prediction, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mission optimization. The lab develops advanced algorithms—such as particle swarm optimization and response-surface modeling—for solving complex aerospace problems like instantaneous impact point prediction, cooperative task allocation, and area coverage in dynamic environments. Research also extends to system architecting and product family design, emphasizing modularity, sustainability, and system complexity metrics. Additionally, the lab contributes to model and simulation credibility assessment using structured group decision-making methods.
Professor Tae Wook Kim's research lab specializes in advanced biomedical engineering and integrated circuit design, with a focus on improving surgical outcomes through innovative biomaterials and minimizing postoperative complications in head and neck surgery. The lab also conducts cutting-edge research in low-power, highly linear RF integrated circuits for wireless communication systems, emphasizing energy efficiency and performance enhancement in CMOS technology. Their work spans from clinical applications in thyroid surgery and inflammatory bowel disease to the development of high-performance analog and RF circuits for modern communication devices.
Professor Soohyun Park's research lab focuses on the intersection of psychological, behavioral, and physiological factors in health and organizational behavior. Key research directions include stress resilience and cognitive coping strategies in high-pressure professions (e.g., air force pilots), the psychological and neurobiological underpinnings of personality and temperament (e.g., Sasang typology), emotional labor and mental health outcomes in healthcare professionals, and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying behavioral addictions such as internet gaming disorder. The lab employs mixed-methods approaches, integrating psychological assessments, neuroimaging (fNIRS), and longitudinal epidemiological data to explore mental health, organizational innovation, and individual well-being.
Professor Jin-Kyung Shim's research lab focuses on understanding the metabolic reprogramming and tumor microenvironment dynamics in glioblastoma (GBM), with a central emphasis on targeting cancer cell metabolism and the tumor-promoting roles of stromal cells. The lab investigates key metabolic pathways such as isoprenoid and cholesterol biosynthesis, fatty acid oxidation, and NADH-dependent oxidative phosphorylation to identify vulnerabilities in GBM stem-like cells. It also explores the immunomodulatory functions of mesenchymal stem-like cells and the potential of combining metabolic inhibitors with standard therapies like temozolomide or immune checkpoint blockade. The overarching goal is to develop novel, mechanism-based therapeutic strategies that overcome treatment resistance in GBM.
Professor Eun Jin Kim's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related bone loss, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction in chronic diseases such as end-stage renal disease. The lab investigates the regulatory roles of transcription factors like FoxO1 and microRNAs in bone metabolism, as well as the protective effects of antioxidants like α-lipoic acid and L-carnosine in aging and renal disease. A key research direction involves understanding the interplay between thyroid hormone deficiency, inflammation, malnutrition, and cardiac dysfunction in dialysis patients. The lab integrates molecular biology, clinical cohort studies, and ultrastructural pathology to explore novel therapeutic targets for age-related and disease-associated tissue degeneration.
Professor Woo Hwan Choi's research lab focuses on clinical and translational studies in metabolic health, with a strong emphasis on obesity, diabetes, and nutritional metabolism. The lab investigates the physiological and biochemical impacts of dietary interventions—such as seaweed supplementation—on blood glucose, lipid profiles, and antioxidant status in metabolic disorders. It also conducts population-based research using large-scale national health surveys to assess vitamin D status, body composition, and age-related changes in fat and muscle mass among Koreans. Additionally, the lab explores genetic factors in metabolic diseases, including the use of molecular techniques like SSCP analysis to study insulin receptor gene variations.
Professor Youngsu Song's research lab specializes in strategic human resource development (HRD) and organizational learning within dynamic business environments. The lab focuses on advancing HRD as a strategic enabler of organizational performance, with key research directions including the evolution of HRD roles in knowledge-based organizations, the development of facilitator competencies for effective organizational change, and the integration of HRD with business strategy and talent management. The lab also investigates emerging trends such as globalized education (EMI), digital learning transformation, and the role of HRD in fostering innovation and leadership development.
Professor Soomin Lee's research lab specializes in the intersection of machine learning, computational biology, and advanced imaging technologies, with a focus on solving complex problems in drug discovery, tumor biology, and 3D fabrication. The lab develops deep learning and graph-based models to predict molecular solubility and protein-ligand interactions, particularly for challenging targets like GPCRs. It also pioneers innovative spatial omics and fashion landmark detection techniques to decode biological and visual complexity. Additionally, the lab explores novel fabrication methods, such as 3D transformation of pen-drawn 2D patterns via capillary forces, blending materials science with AI-driven design.
Professor Eun Hwa Lee's research lab focuses on biomedical and environmental catalysis, with a strong emphasis on understanding host-microbe interactions in plant-mycorrhizal symbiosis, improving early diagnosis of infection and sepsis through inflammatory biomarkers, and developing advanced catalysts for sustainable biofuel production. The lab integrates clinical microbiology, immunology, and materials science to address critical health and environmental challenges, including bloodstream infections in critical care, HIV-associated nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases, and the catalytic conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals. Their work bridges fundamental research with translational applications in infectious disease management and renewable energy technologies.
Professor Kim Dae-Kwan's research lab focuses on service and event management, particularly within the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, with an emphasis on enhancing attendee experience, satisfaction, and competitiveness. The lab investigates psychological and behavioral factors such as mindfulness, motivation, emotional intelligence, and perceived crowding in service environments like exhibitions and hotels. Research also centers on evaluating the competitive power of cities in hosting MICE events through objective assessment frameworks, including tourist attractiveness and MICE infrastructure. The lab integrates empirical methods to inform policy and strategic development in the hospitality and event sectors.
Professor Ja Min Byun's research lab focuses on hematological malignancies, particularly multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia, with an emphasis on understanding the genetic and epigenetic drivers of these diseases in Asian populations. The lab investigates clinical phenotypes, diagnostic challenges—such as pleural effusion in myeloma—and the impact of targeted therapies, including TNF-α inhibitors and novel agents like daratumumab. A key focus is on precision medicine, especially the role of IDH1/2 mutations as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AML. The lab also explores the intersection of inflammatory bowel disease and tuberculosis risk in patients on biologic therapies, particularly in TB-endemic regions like Korea.
Professor Hyun Suk Kim's research lab specializes in media and communication studies with a focus on health communication, political discourse, and digital media engagement. The lab investigates how narrative structures, emotional appeal, and message characteristics influence audience behavior, including selective exposure, sharing, and behavioral intentions in health and political contexts. Using mixed-methods approaches—combining experimental designs, content analysis, and large-scale behavioral data—the lab explores the psychological and societal impacts of media content in digital environments.
Professor Jaewook Song's research lab specializes in clinical infectious diseases and critical care medicine, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance, sepsis prediction, and infectious complications in vulnerable populations such as hemodialysis patients. The lab investigates the pathophysiology and management of multidrug-resistant infections, including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and evaluates diagnostic tools like qSOFA and EBUS-TBNA for early detection and intervention. Additionally, the lab explores the paradoxical roles of metabolic markers—such as uric acid and lung function—in infectious and inflammatory outcomes, particularly in middle-aged populations.
Professor Woo-Sung Park's research lab specializes in advanced materials for sustainable energy conversion and storage, with a strong focus on electrocatalysts for water splitting and zinc–air batteries. The lab explores nanostructured materials such as spinel oxides, nickel phosphides, and carbon composites to enhance catalytic activity and stability in oxygen evolution and reduction reactions. Additionally, the lab investigates thermal management in nanoscale systems and thermoelectric materials to improve energy efficiency and device reliability. Their work bridges materials synthesis, device engineering, and performance characterization for clean energy applications.
Professor Soo-Seok Choi's research lab specializes in soft photonic materials, focusing on the design and engineering of chiral nematic liquid crystals and chiral liquid crystal elastomers for tunable structural color and photonic bandgap control. The lab explores multifunctional optical responses through mechanical, electrical, and structural stimuli, enabling applications in dynamic color displays, sensors, and smart coatings. A key research direction involves developing stretchable, multicolor, and electrically responsive photonic elastomers with precise control over helical nanostructures.
Professor Hong-Mi Choi's research lab focuses on cardiovascular disease mechanisms and advanced heart failure management, with a strong emphasis on cardiac imaging, biomarkers, and risk stratification in conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction. The lab integrates clinical cardiology with cutting-edge imaging techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance and late gadolinium enhancement to predict disease progression and evaluate novel therapies. Additionally, the lab contributes to the development of advanced network survivability models in high-speed communication systems, particularly in the context of fault-tolerant network design and failure recovery protocols.
Professor Duck-Joo Lee's research lab specializes in computational fluid dynamics and fluid-structure interactions, with a focus on high-fidelity simulations of unsteady flows around bluff bodies and rotating machinery. The lab develops advanced numerical methods—such as large-eddy simulation (LES), vortex methods, and high-order accurate schemes like MP5—for predicting complex flow phenomena and aerodynamic noise. Research also extends to biomedical applications, including rare anatomical findings in gastrointestinal endoscopy and immunological signaling pathways involving pattern recognition receptors. The lab emphasizes the integration of numerical modeling with physical insight to solve challenging problems in aerospace, mechanical engineering, and biomedicine.
