Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Soojung Kim's research lab focuses on the intersection of metabolic diseases, neurodegeneration, and regenerative medicine, with a strong emphasis on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying diabetes, autism spectrum disorder, and neurodegenerative pathologies. The lab investigates the role of genetic variants, such as CNVs on chromosome 15, in neurodevelopmental disorders, while also exploring novel therapeutic strategies—like extracellular vesicles and pharmacological agents—for metabolic and liver diseases. A key theme is the dysregulation of cellular homeostasis, including proteostasis, ER stress, and oxidative stress, across multiple disease contexts. The lab integrates molecular biology, in vivo models, and advanced analytical techniques such as in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy to uncover disease mechanisms and develop targeted interventions.
Professor Sung Jae Shin's research lab focuses on the pathogenesis and immunology of mycobacterial infections, particularly tuberculosis (Mtb) and related pathogens such as Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). The lab investigates host-pathogen interactions, with a strong emphasis on identifying bacterial virulence factors, host immune responses—especially dendritic cell activation and T-cell differentiation—and the role of pathogen-associated molecular patterns in shaping adaptive immunity. Key research directions include the functional characterization of mycobacterial proteins like RpfE and Rv0577 in immune modulation and the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for mycobacterial diseases.
Professor Eun Joo Lee's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease, with an emphasis on neuroinflammation and microglial activation. The lab also investigates cellular homeostasis processes such as autophagy and their roles in disease pathogenesis. Additionally, the lab explores the tumor microenvironment and signaling pathways in ovarian and cervical cancers, particularly involving IGFBP2 and Dkk3. These interdisciplinary studies integrate molecular biology, cell signaling, and translational research to identify therapeutic targets.
Professor Seungju Lee's research lab specializes in nanophotonics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), focusing on the design and fabrication of highly ordered plasmonic nanostructures for ultrasensitive molecular detection. The lab explores the fundamental relationship between nanoscale geometry and electromagnetic field enhancement, using silver nanowires in porous alumina templates to achieve reproducible, single-molecule sensitivity. Key research directions include the development of plasmonically active substrates for real-time chemical sensing, the engineering of nanoscale hot spots, and the application of SERS in analytical chemistry and chromatography. The lab also investigates non-perturbative hadronic effects in heavy quark physics, bridging nanoscale optics with quantum field theory.
Professor Tae Seong Kim's research lab specializes in the development and application of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides and graphene-based nanomaterials for next-generation electronic and energy conversion devices. The lab focuses on plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) for low-temperature, wafer-scale synthesis of high-quality 2D semiconductors such as MoS₂ and WS₂, with a particular emphasis on phase engineering (e.g., metallic 1T phase) to enhance charge transport and catalytic activity. Key research directions include flexible and wearable sensors, air-stable n-type graphene transistors, and electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), all aimed at advancing sustainable and biologically inspired computing and energy technologies. The lab also investigates the structure-property relationships in complex oxide melts, particularly in industrial slags, to support materials processing and environmental sustainability.
Professor Minju Kim's research lab focuses on environmental toxicology and endocrine disruption, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of persistent organic pollutants—such as PFAS and BPA—on thyroid hormone axis function and endocrine homeostasis. The lab investigates the mechanistic links between environmental chemical exposures and human health outcomes, integrating epidemiological data with in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Additional research directions include the role of immune-modulating chemokines like CXCL16 in thyroid cancer progression and the molecular mechanisms of hematopoietic growth factor receptors, such as the thrombopoietin receptor. The lab employs multi-omics approaches and translational research to identify biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in endocrine-related diseases and cancer.
Professor Jun Hee Lee's research lab specializes in computational and experimental materials science, focusing on functional oxides, superionic conductors, and multifunctional materials for energy and biomedical applications. The lab explores intrinsic ferroelectricity with subnanometer-scale dipoles, multiferroic oxides with strong spin-phonon coupling, and perovskite-based electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion. Additionally, the lab develops advanced solid-state electrolytes for room-temperature all-solid-state batteries and investigates biofabrication techniques for tissue engineering.
Professor Dong Chan Oh's research lab specializes in natural product chemistry, with a focus on discovering and characterizing bioactive compounds from symbiotic and marine microorganisms. The lab investigates chemical interactions in insect-microbe mutualisms, particularly those involving actinomycetes and fungi associated with insects such as the southern pine beetle, uncovering novel metabolites with selective biological activities. Key research directions include structural elucidation of complex natural products using advanced spectroscopic and derivatization techniques, and exploring their ecological and pharmaceutical relevance.
Professor Ji Ah Seo's research lab focuses on the interplay between metabolic health, adipose tissue distribution, and systemic metabolism, with a particular emphasis on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), vitamin D metabolism, and hepatokine signaling. The lab investigates how visceral fat, sarcopenia, and insulin resistance contribute to metabolic syndrome and liver dysfunction, highlighting the role of novel hepatokines like apolipoprotein J in regulating muscle glucose metabolism. Key research directions include identifying biomarkers such as RBP4 and vitamin D status for early detection of metabolic disorders, and exploring the clinical relevance of anthropometric measures like waist circumference and visceral fat area in aging populations. The lab also contributes to open science through engagement with platforms like DOAJ, promoting accessible, high-quality research in metabolic health.
Professor Sung Hoon Kang's research lab specializes in the design and mechanics of advanced functional materials, with a focus on architected materials, flexible and stretchable sensors, and bio-inspired mechanical systems. The lab explores principles of geometric frustration, buckling-induced instabilities, and viscoelastic responses to engineer materials with tunable, reversible, and stimuli-responsive behaviors. Key research directions include the development of high-performance piezoresistive sensors for wearable electronics, energy-absorbing materials using liquid crystal elastomers, and chiral metamaterials with switchable optical and mechanical properties. The work bridges fundamental mechanics with applications in healthcare, human-machine interfaces, and smart structures.
Professor Jinwon Kim's research lab specializes in translational cancer research, focusing on tumor microenvironment, treatment response prediction, and molecular mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal cancers. The lab integrates advanced imaging techniques, such as radiomics and texture analysis, with molecular pathology and stem cell biology to improve patient stratification and therapeutic outcomes. Key research directions include understanding the role of immune-related signaling pathways (e.g., EGFR/HER2/PI3K), tumor heterogeneity, and DNA damage response (e.g., ATM/MSI) in gastric and colorectal cancers.
Professor Jae-Gwan Lee's research lab specializes in materials science and biomedical engineering, focusing on the development of advanced functional materials and their applications in health and energy systems. The lab investigates quasicrystalline and amorphous alloys for improved material properties, explores mitochondrial dynamics in viral infections such as Zika virus, and designs novel ultra-wideband filters using defected ground structures for next-generation communication systems. Additionally, the lab contributes to preventive oncology by studying the role of lifestyle factors in cervical cancer risk. These diverse research directions reflect a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of materials engineering, virology, and biomedical applications.
Professor Jaedo Nam's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced functional materials for sustainable energy, environmental protection, and high-performance composites. The lab focuses on polymer-based nanocomposites, electromagnetic shielding materials, and eco-friendly additives for rubber and polymer systems, with an emphasis on enhancing thermal stability, mechanical durability, and environmental compatibility. Key research directions include the design of core-shell microspheres with graphene oxide, kinetic modeling of polymer degradation and curing processes, and the development of non-toxic alternatives to conventional antioxidants.
Professor Taeim Kim's research lab specializes in ophthalmic biomedical research, with a primary focus on corneal and anterior segment diseases, particularly in the context of refractive surgery, corneal wound healing, and ocular surface disorders. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of corneal fibrosis and haze formation, especially in relation to mitomycin C (MMC) use following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and explores the balance between therapeutic efficacy and toxicity in corneal cells. Additional research directions include the impact of ocular aberrations in refractive surgery, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in epithelial repair, and the pathophysiology of dry eye disease through advanced imaging and clinical parameters. The lab integrates clinical ophthalmology with molecular and translational research to improve surgical outcomes and patient care.
Professor Gichul Seong's research lab focuses on the interplay between metabolic disorders, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance, and their long-term implications for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The lab investigates how fatty liver, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome independently and collectively contribute to the development of diabetes and atherosclerosis, using large-scale cohort studies with longitudinal follow-up. Key research directions include identifying early metabolic risk markers, assessing the dynamic changes in fatty liver status over time, and evaluating the persistence of disease risk even after resolution of fatty liver. The lab emphasizes population-based epidemiology and clinical imaging to uncover pathophysiological mechanisms and improve risk prediction.
Professor Se Hyeon Kim's research lab focuses on the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders and cancer, with a particular emphasis on chromatin remodeling, gene regulation, and signal transduction pathways. The lab investigates the roles of histone deacetylases (HDACs), early growth response (EGR) genes, and Wnt pathway methylation in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and treatment response to antipsychotics. Additionally, the lab explores mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer and epigenetic predictors of treatment outcomes in colorectal cancer.
Professor Chanhee Chae's research lab specializes in veterinary virology and parasitology, with a primary focus on economically significant pathogens affecting swine, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and Isospora suis. The lab conducts molecular diagnostics, histopathological studies, and retrospective epidemiological analyses to understand disease mechanisms, improve detection methods, and support the development of effective control strategies. Their work emphasizes viral and protozoal infections in pigs, particularly in neonatal and growing piglets, with applications in both clinical diagnostics and vaccine development. The lab employs advanced molecular techniques such as in situ hybridization and RT-PCR to study viral localization and host-pathogen interactions in natural infections.
Professor Sungwoo Hong's research lab specializes in the development of innovative, metal-free, and photocatalytic strategies for selective C–H and C–C bond functionalization. The lab focuses on leveraging radical mechanisms, electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes, and visible-light-driven processes to enable site-selective transformations in complex molecular frameworks. Key research directions include the late-stage functionalization of biorelevant molecules, remote C(sp³)–H heteroarylation, and the direct pyridylation of unactivated hydrocarbons using sustainable and mild conditions. The work emphasizes atom-economical, transition-metal-free methods with broad functional group tolerance, advancing synthetic efficiency in drug discovery and materials science.
Professor Seungjeong Park's research lab specializes in cardiovascular disease mechanisms, with a focus on structural and electrical heart disorders, including pacing-induced cardiomyopathy, arrhythmic risk prediction in congenital and acquired cardiomyopathies, and interventional strategies for left main coronary artery disease. The lab investigates biomarkers such as fragmented QRS complexes and explores the impact of medical and interventional therapies on long-term cardiac outcomes. Using clinical registries and preclinical models, the lab aims to improve risk stratification and optimize revascularization strategies in complex coronary and valvular diseases.
Professor Young-Seop Yoon's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and cardiovascular biology, focusing on the isolation, characterization, and therapeutic application of multipotent stem cells derived from bone marrow. The lab investigates mechanisms of cardiac and vascular repair using stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, and biomaterial-based delivery systems to enhance cell engraftment and function. Key research directions include improving stem cell retention and differentiation in ischemic tissues, particularly in myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiomyopathy, as well as exploring lymphangiogenesis for treating lymphedema. The lab also develops innovative nanomaterials and injectable hydrogels to support cell survival and tissue regeneration.
