Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Sang-Seung Yi's research lab specializes in the economic analysis of coalition formation, with a focus on strategic interactions among countries and firms in international trade and industrial organization. The lab investigates the welfare implications, stability, and design of economic agreements such as customs unions, free-trade areas, joint ventures, and R&D coalitions, particularly under conditions of externalities and free-riding. Key research directions include endogenous coalition formation, game-theoretic modeling of international cooperation, and the design of institutional rules that support efficient and stable outcomes, such as global free trade. The lab integrates theoretical and applied microeconomic analysis to address real-world policy challenges in trade integration and cooperation.
Professor Sungjae Hwang's research lab specializes in human sensorimotor control, focusing on how the brain integrates multisensory feedback—visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive—for postural stability and balance. The lab investigates the neural mechanisms underlying motor control in both healthy individuals and those exposed to subconcussive impacts, such as soccer headers, using advanced behavioral and neurophysiological measures. A key innovation in the lab is the development of magnetically based, low-power interaction interfaces (e.g., MagGetz, MagPen) that enable expressive, tangible human-device interaction without requiring external sensors or wireless connectivity. The lab also explores haptic feedback systems, such as the Haptic Wheel, to enhance driver awareness and safety through intuitive tactile communication.
Professor Byung-soo Kwon's research lab specializes in structural biology and cancer biology, with a focus on membrane proteins and tumor microenvironment mechanisms. The lab employs advanced solid-state NMR techniques to determine high-resolution structures of challenging membrane protein domains, such as the HIV-1 gp41 and influenza M2 proteins, particularly those involved in viral fusion and assembly. Another key direction involves investigating tumor vasculature plasticity, including vasculogenic mimicry and the role of receptors like AXL in breast cancer progression. The lab also explores systemic inflammatory markers as prognostic indicators in ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.
Professor Younghee Lee's research lab focuses on the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying motivated behaviors, particularly food-seeking and consummatory behaviors, with a strong emphasis on the role of lateral hypothalamus leptin receptor (LepR) neurons in regulating feeding behavior. The lab integrates advanced neurophysiological techniques such as fibre photometry and micro-endoscopy to dissect the temporal dynamics of distinct neuronal subpopulations during appetitive and consummatory phases of eating. Additionally, the lab investigates the pathophysiological roles of gut hormones like GLP-1 in metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets. The research also extends to medical education, exploring communication skills in preclinical medical students and developing assessment models for clinical training.
Professor Seyoung Jung's research lab specializes in biomedical imaging and clinical pharmacology, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer using advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted imaging. The lab also investigates drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, particularly the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes like CYP3A in psychotropic drug disposition. Additionally, the lab applies mathematical modeling and epidemiological analysis to understand infectious disease dynamics, such as the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea. Their work bridges clinical medicine, pharmacology, and data science to address public health challenges.
Professor Ji-eun Lee's research lab specializes in interpreting studies with a focus on court interpreting, community interpreting, and interpreter education. The lab investigates professional practices, quality assessment, and the sociolinguistic dimensions of interpreting, particularly in institutional settings such as courts and healthcare environments. Key research directions include the development and validation of rating scales for interpreting performance, the role of facework and interpersonal dynamics in interpreter-mediated interactions, and the challenges faced by interpreters in telephone and sight translation contexts. The lab also explores professional perceptions and certification needs, especially in multicultural and multilingual societies like Australia.
Professor Hyunho Han's research lab focuses on translational oncology and molecular epidemiology, with a central emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying treatment resistance and disease progression in prostate and breast cancers. The lab investigates transcriptional subtypes of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, particularly therapy-induced lineage plasticity and the emergence of aggressive variants such as neuroendocrine and mesenchymal subtypes. It also explores the tumor microenvironment, including the role of the bone marrow vascular niche in awakening dormant ER+ breast cancer cells. Additionally, the lab contributes to clinical epidemiology, analyzing cancer trends and optimizing public health resource allocation in South Korea.
Professor Gilsu Son's research lab specializes in diagnostic and interventional radiology, with a strong focus on advanced medical imaging techniques for cancer detection, characterization, and prognosis. The lab investigates the integration of medical imaging with molecular and genomic data—particularly through radiogenomics and machine learning—to improve the accuracy of breast cancer and thyroid cancer diagnosis. Key research directions include the application of perfusion CT, MRI, and ultrasound techniques (such as CEUS and SMI) to assess tumor vascularity, lymph node involvement, and histologic features, as well as evaluating surgical outcomes in adrenal and thyroid cancers.
Professor Q-Schick Auh's research lab specializes in translational biomedical research with a focus on oral and craniofacial health, regenerative medicine, and molecular mechanisms of pain and tissue degeneration. The lab integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, deep learning, and molecular biology to develop innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for conditions like temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, osteosarcoma, and periodontal disease. Key research directions include exosome-based regenerative therapies, AI-driven dental age estimation and TMJ disorder detection, and the molecular modulation of bone metabolism and pain signaling pathways. The lab also investigates natural compounds and gasotransmitters (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, methoxydalbergione) for their potential in tissue repair and cancer therapy.
Professor Hunmin Kim's research lab specializes in urban and regional economics, with a focus on the interplay between industrial development, urban competitiveness, and spatial economic dynamics. The lab investigates how metropolitan areas can enhance their economic resilience through strategic industrial policies, particularly by analyzing the roles of agglomeration economies, producer services, and knowledge-based industries. Research also extends to the integration of technological advancements—such as brain connectivity analysis using EEG and big data—into urban planning and policy evaluation, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to smart city development and livability. The lab emphasizes evidence-based policy design for sustainable urban growth, especially in metropolitan regions like Seoul and the broader Korean peninsula.
Professor Hyun-Jung Lee's research lab specializes in biomedical materials and clinical anesthesiology, focusing on the development of stimuli-responsive polymers for targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering, as well as improving perioperative outcomes in surgical patients. The lab investigates disease-responsive biomaterials—such as ROS-sensitive degradable polymers—and explores innovative anesthetic techniques to manage postoperative pain and reduce complications. Additionally, the lab contributes to maternal-fetal medicine by studying high-risk obstetric conditions, including placenta previa and postpartum hemorrhage, to enhance clinical management strategies.
Professor Hyungdo Kim's research lab specializes in theoretical particle physics and quantum field theory, with a focus on supersymmetry, grand unification, and physics beyond the Standard Model. Key research directions include gauge mediation of supersymmetry breaking, the μ-problem and Bμ-term generation, seesaw mechanisms (including bosonic seesaw), flavor physics, and anomalies in B-meson decays. The lab also investigates higher-dimensional theories, such as 5D models with Scherk-Schwarz breaking, and the interplay between gravity, scalar fields, and spacetime singularities in anti-de Sitter space.
Professor Tae Woo Kim's research lab specializes in orthopedic surgery and biomechanics, with a primary focus on knee arthroplasty and osteotomies. The lab investigates implant design, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes, particularly in total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, with an emphasis on implant alignment, kinematics, and pain management. Research also extends to osteotomies, including high tibial and distal femoral osteotomies, with a strong focus on preventing complications such as lateral hinge fractures through anatomical and biomechanical analysis. The lab integrates clinical outcomes with advanced imaging and navigation technologies to optimize surgical planning and patient recovery.
Professor Jooyoung Oh's research lab specializes in neuropsychiatry and neuroimaging, focusing on the early detection and neurobiological mechanisms of delirium in critical care settings. The lab integrates advanced technologies such as heart rate variability analysis, resting-state fMRI, transcranial focused ultrasound, and virtual reality to explore brain connectivity, neuroinflammation, and non-invasive neuromodulation. Key research directions include identifying biomarkers like neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for delirium, understanding postoperative brain dysfunction, and developing innovative, technology-driven interventions for mood and cognitive disorders.
Professor Hyun-Jae Cho's research lab focuses on the intersection of oral health, systemic diseases, and lifestyle factors, with a strong emphasis on epidemiological and translational studies. The lab investigates the causal relationships between periodontal disease and neurological and cardiovascular conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and acute myocardial infarction. It also explores the role of socioeconomic factors, genetic mechanisms in antibiotic resistance, and the integration of multi-omics data in survival analysis using advanced machine learning techniques. The lab’s work bridges clinical dentistry with public health and biomedical data science to uncover modifiable risk factors and biological pathways.
Professor Sunkyung Yoon's research lab focuses on emotion regulation and its role in internalizing psychopathologies, particularly major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. The lab investigates how individuals with depression and anxiety differ in their emotional processing, music preferences, and use of emotion regulation strategies, with a particular emphasis on understanding why maladaptive strategies are endorsed despite their negative consequences. Using mixed-methods and ecological assessment approaches, the lab explores the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying emotional experiences and behaviors in clinical populations. A key focus is identifying biomarkers—such as LDAEP—for predicting treatment response to pharmacological interventions like SSRIs.
Professor Wan Chul Yoon's research lab focuses on cognitive ergonomics and human-computer interaction, particularly in the context of large-scale, dynamic logical systems that integrate software, physical infrastructure, and social processes. The lab investigates user interface design principles that reduce cognitive complexity through structured knowledge representation, schema formation, and consistency in interaction. A key research direction involves developing quantitative methods—grounded in information theory—to evaluate and optimize interface complexity from the user’s cognitive perspective. The lab also explores user behavior in tag-based information management systems, emphasizing real-world usage patterns over traditional evaluation methods.
Professor Jae Young Lee's research lab specializes in human resource development (HRD), with a focus on work design, employee engagement, and the application of emerging technologies such as the metaverse in organizational learning and development. The lab explores how job crafting, perceived resources, and strategic leadership influence employee attitudes and performance, particularly in the Korean corporate context. It also investigates social learning processes and the role of top management support in enhancing organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The lab emphasizes practical implications for HRD theory and organizational development.
Professor Sang-Dae Kim's research lab specializes in structural engineering with a focus on advanced composite and buckling-restrained structural systems. The lab investigates the behavior and performance of steel-concrete composite columns, particularly under combined flexural and axial loading, as well as the fire resistance of innovative beam systems like the iTECH beam. Additional research explores the mechanical response of buckling-restrained braces and the biological mechanisms of cellular adaptation under hypoxic conditions, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach combining civil engineering and biomedical research. The lab emphasizes experimental and computational methods to enhance structural safety, ductility, and resilience under extreme loading conditions such as earthquakes and fires.
Professor Mi Jeong Kim's research lab specializes in advanced functional materials and their applications in biomedical engineering, energy systems, and smart electronics. The lab focuses on developing stretchable and foldable electronic systems using novel substrates and interconnects, while also investigating the role of biomolecules and nanomaterials in physiological and pathological processes. Key research directions include the design of flexible electronic devices, nanobubble-mediated biological stimulation, and the development of high-efficiency, low-cost electric machines.
