Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Jin-Hyuk Kim's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying kidney fibrosis and chronic kidney disease, with a central emphasis on the role of matricellular proteins such as periostin in renal fibrogenesis and tissue repair. The lab investigates signaling pathways involving integrins, p38 MAPK, and growth factors like HGF/cMet to identify therapeutic targets for delaying fibrotic progression. Clinical translational research is also a key component, exploring urinary periostin as a biomarker in IgA nephropathy and evaluating potential nephroprotective agents such as bilirubin. The lab integrates in vivo disease models, primary cell cultures, and clinical cohort studies to bridge basic discoveries with clinical applications in nephrology.
Professor Ae-Kyung Chang's research lab specializes in chronic disease management, with a primary focus on hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and hemodialysis in older adults. The lab investigates patient empowerment, self-management behaviors, and digital health interventions to improve health outcomes. Key research directions include lifestyle interventions, behavioral adherence (e.g., fluid restriction), and nurse-led digital health technologies for long-term disease management.
Professor Gayoung Choi's research lab focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, with an emphasis on identifying and evaluating natural compounds for their neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects. The lab investigates the electrophysiological, behavioral, and ultrastructural impacts of bioactive phytochemicals—such as curcumin, umbelliferone, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid—on neural plasticity, synaptic function, and cognitive performance in preclinical models. Using advanced techniques like multielectrode array recordings, EEG-based brain-computer interfaces, and behavioral assays, the lab explores mechanisms underlying neuroprotection and cognitive improvement. The research also extends to developing non-invasive, resting-state EEG-based biometric authentication systems, highlighting a translational approach to brain-computer interaction and neurological health monitoring.
Professor Jin Woo-ah's research lab specializes in second language (L2) writing, language assessment, and educational technology, with a strong focus on how digital tools—particularly machine translation and electronic dictionaries—affect L2 writing development and learner performance. The lab investigates the interplay between L2 proficiency, collocational knowledge, and writing quality, often employing quantitative and mixed-methods approaches to analyze learner texts using tools like Coh-Metrix. A central theme is enhancing EFL/ESL instruction through evidence-based motivational strategies, such as the ARCS model, and developing predictive models for test item difficulty in high-stakes language assessments.
Professor Hyoungsook Kim's research lab specializes in arts and cultural education, with a focus on integrating arts into broader educational frameworks to foster creativity, character development, and cultural identity. The lab explores socially engaged art practices, interdisciplinary STEAM/STEAM education, and community-based art initiatives that promote democratic citizenship, social responsibility, and inclusive learning environments. It also investigates the role of art in diaspora studies, multicultural education, and the development of professional arts educators through international comparative studies.
Professor Kwang-ho Jeong's research lab specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and application of topological insulators and advanced functional materials at the atomic scale. The lab focuses on manipulating electronic and structural properties through strain engineering, layer-by-layer heteroepitaxy, and defect control to explore novel quantum phenomena such as topological surface states and spin-momentum locking. Their work bridges fundamental condensed matter physics with applied nanoelectronics and spintronics, including the development of high-performance materials for quantum devices and bioactive nutraceuticals via metabolic engineering.
Professor Minsik Kim's research lab specializes in cognitive neuroscience and psychological mechanisms underlying attention, working memory, and executive function. The lab investigates how spatial attention, feature binding, and statistical learning shape visual perception and decision-making, particularly through neurocognitive paradigms such as memory-driven attention capture and visual search tasks. A key focus is on the interplay between top-down (executive control) and bottom-up (stimulus-driven) attention, especially in the context of working memory load and attentional cueing. The lab also explores mindfulness and self-awareness in clinical and educational settings, particularly in nursing education, linking psychological processes to behavioral outcomes.
Professor Jong-Wook Jeon's research lab specializes in advanced semiconductor devices and nanomaterials for next-generation electronics and energy-efficient systems. The lab focuses on innovative device architectures such as ferroelectric FETs, nanosheet FETs, and phase-change transistors, with applications in ultra-low-power electronics and logic-in-memory computing. Research spans from fundamental device physics and 3D TCAD simulations to experimental fabrication and circuit-level integration, particularly in sub-2nm technology nodes. The lab also explores functional nanomaterials, including plasmonic nanofluids and printed organic semiconductors, for optoelectronic and energy applications.
Professor Jaemin Lee's research lab specializes in international economic law, with a focus on trade law, subsidy regulations, and environmental governance. The lab investigates the legal frameworks governing green energy programs, state support measures, and fisheries subsidies within multilateral trade agreements such as the SCM Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It also examines the implications of unilateral regulatory actions—particularly in the context of IUU (Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported) fishing—on international law and trade relations.
Professor Sung-hoon Bae's research lab specializes in auditory neuroscience and otology, focusing on the immune mechanisms underlying inner ear inflammation, hearing loss, and cochlear implant outcomes. The lab investigates the roles of innate immune cells—particularly neutrophils and macrophages—in cochlear homeostasis and injury response, using advanced imaging and animal models. It also explores the pathophysiology of rare inner ear disorders such as endolymphatic sac tumors and congenital malformations, aiming to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A key focus is understanding how systemic risk factors and surgical interventions contribute to hearing and facial nerve dysfunction.
Professor Jeong Ji-wook's research lab focuses on understanding the neuropathological and systemic impacts of SARS-CoV-2, with a particular emphasis on viral neurotropism, host immune responses, and long-term neurological sequelae. The lab investigates viral mechanisms of infection in human and animal models, including ocular and central nervous system involvement, and explores host cell responses such as microglial activation. A key direction involves developing therapeutic and vaccine strategies through drug repurposing, structure-based design, and plant-based production of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, particularly the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. The lab also studies the virological and structural characteristics of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern to assess their impact on transmissibility and immune escape.
Professor Hyung Jun Lim's research lab focuses on liver diseases, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis, with an emphasis on identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis, tumor progression, and treatment response, with a strong focus on circulating microRNAs, glycoproteins like GPC3 and OPN, and clinical outcomes in advanced HCC. They also explore the efficacy of targeted therapies such as sorafenib and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with portal vein thrombosis, aiming to improve prognostic prediction and personalized treatment. The lab integrates clinical data with molecular profiling to advance precision medicine in liver disease.
Professor Jang-Sup Sim's research lab specializes in photonic integrated circuits and passive optical network (PON) technologies, with a strong focus on wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems, colorless and wavelength-selection-free transceivers, and optical fault monitoring. The lab develops low-cost, energy-efficient optical access networks using uncooled Fabry-Perot laser diodes, superluminescent diodes, and arrayed-waveguide gratings, aiming to enhance system scalability and reliability. Key research directions include integrated optical logic devices, gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifiers, and broadband light sources for next-generation optical communication systems.
Professor Young Jeong Jeon’s research lab specializes in thoracic surgery and oncology, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly stage IIIA N2 disease. The lab investigates minimally invasive surgical techniques such as VATS, the role of nodal staging systems like the IASLC R classification, and the management of postoperative complications such as chyle leak and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Additionally, the lab explores metabolic and systemic factors influencing cancer risk, including the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and esophageal cancer in diabetic populations.
Professor Sinha Lee's research lab focuses on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with a particular emphasis on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, and mineral and bone disorders. The lab investigates key molecular pathways such as uric acid-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) in fibrosis, and the impact of magnesium homeostasis on vascular function in dialysis patients. Their work integrates in vitro cell models, animal studies, and clinical cohort analyses to explore modifiable risk factors and potential therapeutic targets in CKD progression and dialysis outcomes.
Professor Hantaek Bae's research lab specializes in the mathematical analysis of nonlinear partial differential equations arising in fluid dynamics and kinetic theory. The lab focuses on the well-posedness, regularity, and long-time behavior of solutions to equations such as the Navier-Stokes, Euler-Poisson, quasi-geostrophic, and Doi models, particularly in critical and borderline function spaces. Key themes include global existence, analyticity, Gevrey regularity, and critical threshold phenomena in both bounded and unbounded domains.
Professor Hee-Yong Kang's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research with a strong emphasis on clinical anesthesiology, surgical outcomes, and viral pathogenesis. The lab investigates pain management strategies in orthopedic surgery, including the efficacy of opioid alternatives like oxycodone, and explores interventions to reduce postoperative complications such as sore throat and nausea. Additionally, the lab contributes to virology by studying post-translational modifications in viral proteins, particularly hepatitis B virus core protein, to understand their role in viral assembly and maturation. The integration of clinical trials with molecular mechanisms defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach.
Professor Yuri Choi's research lab specializes in materials science and biomedical diagnostics, with a focus on developing advanced functional materials for electronic and health applications. Key research directions include the design of oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors for next-generation electronics, the geochemical characterization of laterite-type nickel deposits for sustainable resource exploration, and the discovery of novel biomarkers in extracellular vesicles for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. The lab also engages in health and education policy research, particularly on professional awareness in healthcare and intercultural competence in English language education.
Professor Gilgon Go's research lab specializes in public administration and policy analysis, with a strong focus on network-based approaches to understanding governance processes. The lab investigates policy networks, decision-making models such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the methodological challenges in survey research—including reverse coding and response bias. It also explores citizen perceptions of corruption, institutional trust, and the critical evaluation of widely used indices like the Global Competitiveness Index, emphasizing methodological rigor and conceptual clarity in public policy research.
Professor Byeong Woo Jo's research lab specializes in computational materials science and biomedical engineering, focusing on the development of advanced materials for energy storage and orthopedic implants. The lab integrates density functional theory with machine learning to enable high-throughput screening of organic electrode materials, while also investigating biomechanical and clinical factors influencing implant longevity and patient outcomes in joint arthroplasty. Research spans from quantum-level material design to clinical applications in osteoarthritis, periprosthetic joint infection, and femoral head necrosis.
