Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Young-Do Won's research lab specializes in computational and theoretical chemistry, with a strong focus on molecular dynamics simulations, electronic structure calculations, and the development of force fields for biomolecular systems. The lab investigates complex biological processes such as primary charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers and optical properties of light-harvesting complexes, using advanced quantum mechanical and classical simulation methods. Their work also extends into materials science, particularly in atomic layer deposition of high-k dielectrics like hafnium oxide, where they study interfacial reactions and growth mechanisms at the atomic level. The lab integrates computational modeling with experimental validation to understand fundamental phenomena in both biological and functional materials.
Professor Jooheon Sung's research lab focuses on population health sciences with a strong emphasis on cancer epidemiology, aging-related health disparities, and hospital-acquired infections. The lab investigates cancer incidence, mortality, and survival trends in Korea, explores lifestyle risk factor clustering and their impact on mental and physical health, and examines the burden of nosocomial infections in intensive care units. A central theme is understanding the interplay between demographic transitions—particularly aging—and chronic disease outcomes to inform public health policy.
Professor Kiseok Kim's research lab specializes in advanced quantum materials and nanoscale device physics, with a focus on two-dimensional materials, oxide heterostructures, and topological quantum phenomena. The lab investigates emergent electronic states such as charge ordering, Fermi surface nesting, and topological effects in van der Waals heterostructures, leveraging advanced spectroscopic techniques like angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). They also explore applications in next-generation electronics and control systems, including reconfigurable flight control and nonlinear control design for aerospace systems.
Professor Jin Woo Kim's research lab specializes in biomedical engineering and computational diagnostics, focusing on the development of advanced AI-driven systems for medical imaging analysis and therapeutic applications. The lab integrates machine learning, particularly deep learning and Bayesian neural networks, with clinical imaging such as lateral cephalograms and dental X-rays to improve diagnostic accuracy and automation in orthodontics. Another key research direction involves nanomaterials, especially carbon nanotubes, for photothermal antimicrobial therapy and diagnostic applications. The lab also investigates thermal dynamics in clinical procedures, such as dental implant site preparation, to ensure patient safety and optimize treatment protocols.
Professor Mi-kyung Kim's research lab specializes in epidemiological and nutritional studies focusing on the prevention and risk factors of chronic diseases in aging populations, particularly in East Asian contexts. The lab investigates dietary patterns, micronutrient supplementation, and specific food intake in relation to cancer (e.g., colorectal, gastric, and breast cancer) and cardiovascular health. Key research directions include longitudinal cohort studies, dietary pattern analysis, and clinical trials examining the long-term effects of nutrients such as vitamin C and bioactive seaweeds on disease risk and frailty. The lab also explores the immunomodulatory potential of oncolytic viruses in cancer therapy, bridging nutritional epidemiology with translational oncology.
Professor Doseon Lim's research lab focuses on cardiovascular regeneration and stem cell therapy, with a particular emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, and repair. The lab investigates the therapeutic potential of stem cell transplantation—especially adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)—using innovative approaches such as cell sheet technology to enhance myocardial repair after acute myocardial infarction. Additionally, the lab explores endothelial cell heterogeneity and angiogenic potential, aiming to identify key regulators of vascular repair and regeneration. Their work bridges molecular cardiology, regenerative medicine, and translational bioengineering to develop novel strategies for treating heart disease.
Professor Jongman Kim's research lab specializes in advanced on-chip communication architectures, focusing on Network-on-Chip (NoC) design for high-performance, energy-efficient, and reliable System-on-Chip (SoC) systems. The lab explores 3D integrated circuit architectures to reduce interconnect latency and power consumption, leveraging packet-based NoC paradigms in multi-dimensional chip stacks. Key research directions include adaptive and fault-tolerant routing algorithms, low-latency router architectures, and analytical modeling for performance, energy, and reliability evaluation. The lab also investigates reliability challenges in deep sub-micron technologies, emphasizing robustness against aging and manufacturing defects.
Professor Changsu Kim's research lab focuses on the intersection of information systems, digital innovation, and user-centered technology adoption. The lab explores topics such as robust video coding, user-generated content value creation, firm innovation in R&D networks, Internet diffusion dynamics, mobile CRM systems, and mobile shopping behavior. Key research directions include understanding the quality and value dimensions of digital content, enhancing system resilience and performance in mobile and networked environments, and analyzing the impact of technology design on user and organizational outcomes.
Professor Kyung-Kyu Kim's research lab focuses on structural and molecular biology, with a strong emphasis on understanding the mechanisms of virulence regulation in pathogenic bacteria such as *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, including the role of two-component systems and chaperone proteins like ClpX. The lab also investigates key regulatory proteins in eukaryotic systems, such as eIF-5A and USP4, exploring their roles in cell cycle progression, cancer progression, and protein stability. Structural studies using X-ray crystallography and single-molecule techniques are central to elucidating the dynamic interactions of these proteins with their targets, including DNA conformational changes in Z-DNA formation. The lab integrates structural biology with functional and cellular assays to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and cellular regulation.
Professor Ji-young Park's research lab focuses on the intersection of metabolism, tumor microenvironment, and chronic disease pathogenesis. The lab investigates how adipocyte-derived factors, such as endotrophin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), contribute to tumor progression, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction in obesity. Key research directions include the role of stromal cells in cancer biology, the impact of metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes on systemic inflammation, and the identification of novel therapeutic targets in obesity-related diseases. The lab integrates molecular biology, metabolic profiling, and translational models to uncover mechanisms linking metabolism and disease.
Professor Sang-Wook Lee's research lab specializes in advanced materials for renewable energy applications, with a primary focus on nanomaterials and thin films for next-generation solar cells. The lab investigates fundamental electronic and thermal transport properties in oxide semiconductors, particularly titanium dioxide and vanadium dioxide, to enhance device efficiency and stability. Key research directions include the development of compact electron transport layers for perovskite and dye-sensitized solar cells, understanding anomalous transport phenomena such as breakdown of the Wiedemann-Franz law, and exploring anisotropic thermal conductivity in layered 2D materials like black phosphorus. The lab combines advanced thin-film deposition techniques with sophisticated electrical and thermal characterization to design high-performance, flexible, and stable photovoltaic devices.
Professor Belong Cho's research lab focuses on aging, mobility, and metabolic health, with a strong emphasis on improving functional independence and quality of life in older adults and individuals with chronic conditions. The lab investigates balance and mobility impairments, obesity interventions using probiotics, and the impact of social support on mental health and quality of life in cancer patients. It also explores digital health solutions, such as activity trackers with financial incentives, to promote physical activity and weight management. The research integrates clinical trials, behavioral interventions, and population-based cohort studies to address aging-related and lifestyle-related health challenges.
Professor Cheol Min Shin's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal oncology and molecular gastroenterology, with a primary focus on gastric carcinogenesis, Helicobacter pylori-related pathogenesis, and epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation in gastric mucosa. The lab investigates the interplay between genetic susceptibility, environmental factors (e.g., diet, alcohol metabolism), and microbial infections in gastric cancer development, particularly in the Korean population. Key research directions include the long-term epigenetic consequences of H. pylori eradication, biomarker discovery using methylation profiles of genes like LOX, APC, and p16, and the role of metabolic and inflammatory factors in colorectal cancer risk. The lab employs large-scale cohort studies and molecular techniques such as quantitative methylation-specific PCR to translate molecular findings into clinical applications.
Professor Sang Hyub Lee's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary oncology, with a focus on molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic and bladder cancers, as well as liver cystic tumors. The lab investigates tumor biomarkers, epigenetic alterations (such as NPTX2 methylation), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers to improve prognosis prediction and therapeutic decision-making. Key research directions include identifying genetic and epigenetic drivers of cancer progression, evaluating chemotherapy regimens in metastatic pancreatic cancer, and refining diagnostic criteria for complex biliary and pancreatic lesions.
Professor Jeong Sunho's research lab specializes in the development of solution-processed, low-temperature-processed amorphous oxide semiconductors and conductive nanomaterials for next-generation flexible and low-cost electronics. The lab focuses on optimizing the chemical and structural properties of metal oxide semiconductors—such as indium zinc oxide (IZO) and zinc tin oxide (ZTO)—to enhance thin-film transistor performance through doping, annealing control, and defect engineering. A key research direction involves designing stable, aqueous-based conductive inks using copper nanoparticles with minimized surface oxidation, enabling high-conductivity, inkjet-printed features on plastic substrates. The lab also explores advanced statistical modeling in behavioral science to understand complex mediating and moderating effects in psychological and social research, demonstrating interdisciplinary integration in data-driven methodology.
Professor EuiJin Lee's research lab specializes in mobile and pervasive computing, with a focus on vehicular sensor networks, mobile peer-to-peer systems, and intelligent data collection in dynamic environments. The lab explores efficient data routing, network coding, and real-time monitoring in challenging mobile settings such as urban streets and underwater environments. Key research directions include event-driven data reporting, resource-constrained mobile networks, and behavior-aware systems for smartphone usage and urban monitoring.
Professor Yun-Kyung Cho's research lab specializes in the development of portable, automated, and fully integrated lab-on-a-disc (LOD) systems based on centrifugal microfluidics for point-of-care diagnostics and biomedical applications. The lab focuses on advancing miniaturized platforms for rapid, sensitive, and label-free detection of biomarkers, including extracellular vesicles, pathogen-specific DNA, and infectious disease antigens, with applications in clinical diagnostics, infectious disease testing, and food safety. Innovative technologies such as laser-irradiated ferrowax microvalves, magnetic bead-based isolation, and nanocoating for antimicrobial surfaces are central to their work.
Professor Young-Wook Lee's research lab specializes in stellar population synthesis, globular cluster evolution, and the astrophysics of horizontal branches, with a strong focus on understanding the origins of stellar population diversity in the Milky Way. The lab investigates the role of helium abundance variations, metallicity, and age gradients in shaping the color-magnitude diagrams of globular clusters, particularly in extreme systems like Omega Centauri. Using synthetic evolutionary models and high-precision photometric and spectroscopic data, the lab explores the connections between stellar populations, cluster kinematics, and the formation history of the Galactic halo and bulge. Their work also extends to the calibration of Type Ia supernovae as cosmological distance indicators, examining how host galaxy properties may affect their standardization and, by extension, dark energy measurements.
Professor Sohee Jeong's research lab specializes in the synthesis, stabilization, and application of colloidal nanocrystals, with a focus on developing low-toxicity and air-stable quantum dots for optoelectronic applications. The lab explores novel surface passivation strategies to enhance the photoluminescence quantum yield and ambient stability of various nanomaterials, including InP, PbS, PbSe, and perovskite nanocrystals. Key research directions include understanding size-dependent surface chemistry, radical-mediated synthesis challenges in 2D transition-metal chalcogenides, and the role of ligands in defect passivation. The lab's work bridges fundamental nanomaterial science with practical applications in lighting, displays, and photovoltaics.
Professor Wonshik Choi's research lab specializes in developing advanced optical imaging techniques for biological microscopy, with a focus on overcoming the challenges of light scattering and optical aberrations in thick, transparent samples. The lab pioneers quantitative, three-dimensional refractive index imaging using interferometric and tomographic methods, enabling label-free, high-resolution visualization of live cells and tissues. Key innovations include adaptive optics correction, time-gated complex-field imaging, and computational wavefront sensing for deep-tissue microscopy. The lab's work bridges physics, optics, and cell biology to enable non-invasive, quantitative analysis of cellular structures and dynamics.
