首尔大学、KAIST、延世大学等韩国QS前10名大学的研究室信息。
Professor Min Whan Jung's research lab specializes in neural mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and cognitive function, with a focus on hippocampal and prefrontal cortical circuits. The lab investigates synaptic plasticity, place cell dynamics, and the neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing effects of natural compounds such as ginsenosides and asiaticoside derivatives. Key research directions include the role of active movement in spatial coding, neuronal network dynamics during working memory tasks, and the cellular and molecular basis of neurodegenerative protection. The lab integrates electrophysiology, behavioral neuroscience, and molecular biology to explore brain mechanisms of cognition and neuroprotection.
Professor Junhwan Lee's research lab specializes in geotechnical engineering with a focus on the behavior of shallow and deep foundations in granular soils, particularly under working load conditions. The lab investigates the influence of groundwater level fluctuations, soil nonlinearity, and in-situ test data (such as CPT and SPT) on settlement and bearing capacity predictions. Key research directions include the development of advanced numerical and experimental methods to reduce uncertainties in geotechnical design, with emphasis on pile-soil interaction, piled raft systems, and the mechanical response of soils with varying fines content. The lab combines centrifuge modeling, full-scale field tests, and advanced constitutive modeling to improve the accuracy and reliability of geotechnical design methods.
Professor JeongGil Ko's research lab specializes in wireless sensor networks, with a focus on enabling secure, reliable, and interoperable communication in resource-constrained environments. The lab's main research directions include the design and deployment of IP-based wireless sensor networks for healthcare and emergency response, the development of secure and privacy-preserving data collection systems, and the advancement of standards for low-power, lossy networks (LLNs) such as 6LoWPAN and RPL. The lab also investigates mobility support in sensor networks and the performance implications of protocol interoperability across different implementations.
Professor Youngjoo Byun's research lab specializes in the development of novel boron-containing therapeutic agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and the design of small molecules targeting bacterial quorum sensing and allergic inflammatory pathways. The lab focuses on synthesizing and optimizing 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs) as tumor-selective boron delivery agents that exploit the upregulation of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in cancer cells. Additionally, the lab investigates small molecule inhibitors of virulence regulators in *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* and TSLP signaling pathways to combat antibiotic-resistant infections and allergic diseases. The research integrates medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and computational modeling to advance targeted therapeutics.
Professor Heon-Jeong Lee's research lab focuses on the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, with a particular emphasis on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia. The lab investigates the role of neurotransmitter systems—especially serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways—along with circadian rhythms and genetic polymorphisms in psychiatric pathophysiology and treatment response. Research also extends to cognitive functions, sleep deprivation effects, and biomarkers such as lipid metabolism in suicide risk assessment.
Professor Kyung-Mi Lee's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying immune regulation and signal transduction in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, with a particular emphasis on inhibitory receptors such as CTLA-4 and 2B4. The lab investigates tyrosine phosphorylation dynamics, phosphatase regulation, and their roles in modulating immune responses, especially in cancer and inflammatory diseases. Additionally, the lab explores biocompatible and transient electronic systems for biomedical applications, including implantable sensors and resorbable devices. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge immunology, cell signaling, and bio-integrated electronics.
Professor JaeHwan Lee's research lab specializes in lipid oxidation mechanisms, natural antioxidants, and the development of analytical methods to assess oxidative stability in edible oils and plant-based foods. The lab investigates the role of bioactive compounds—such as isoflavones, sesamol, and synthetic antioxidants—under various thermal and photochemical conditions, with a focus on their antioxidant capacity and degradation pathways. Key research directions include the impact of processing conditions (e.g., roasting, heating, light exposure) on volatile profile formation and oxidative stability, as well as the application of advanced analytical techniques like HPLC, GC/MS, electronic noses, and radical scavenging assays. The lab also explores the interplay between oxygen availability, moisture content, and lipid oxidation kinetics in model systems such as lard and oil-in-water emulsions.
Professor Doo Ryeon Chung's research lab focuses on the immunological mechanisms underlying bacterial infections and post-surgical complications, particularly in the context of antimicrobial resistance and host immune responses. The lab investigates how T cells, especially CD4+ alphabeta T cells, contribute to the pathogenesis of conditions such as intra-abdominal abscesses, peritoneal adhesions, and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Using translational animal models, the lab explores the role of bacterial antigens—such as zwitterionic capsular polysaccharides—in driving aberrant immune activation and tissue remodeling. Their work aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve clinical outcomes in severe infections and surgical complications.
Professor Su-Jae Lee's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and autophagy in cancer biology, with a particular emphasis on signaling pathways involving cyclin-dependent kinases, tumor suppressors like p53 and Rb, and stress-activated kinases such as JNK. The lab investigates how bioactive compounds and non-thermal plasma can induce cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death in cancer cells, exploring their potential for targeted cancer therapy. Additionally, the lab contributes to materials science by studying functional oxide thin films, particularly ferroelectric BaTiO3, for advanced electronic and biomedical applications. These interdisciplinary efforts integrate molecular oncology, signal transduction, and functional materials development to address challenges in cancer treatment and nanomaterial synthesis.
Professor Ajahar Khan's research lab specializes in the development of advanced functional materials, particularly focusing on sustainable and biocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical and smart device applications. The lab explores the synthesis and application of carbon-based nanomaterials—such as carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers—integrated into biopolymer matrices to create multifunctional films and actuators. Key research directions include enhancing mechanical, electrical, and antimicrobial properties for use in food packaging, tissue engineering, and soft robotics. The lab also emphasizes environmentally friendly fabrication techniques and surface modification strategies to improve dispersion and performance of nanomaterials.
Professor Minjung Park's research lab specializes in consumer behavior, digital retail, and emerging technologies, with a focus on how psychological, social, and technological factors influence consumer decision-making. The lab investigates topics such as brand perception, sustainable consumption, mass customization, fake news detection, fashion trend analysis, and virtual commerce in the metaverse. Using mixed-methods and advanced analytics—including machine learning, text mining, and social network analysis—the lab explores consumer motivations and behaviors in digital and virtual environments. The research integrates behavioral theory with real-world applications in fashion, e-commerce, and social media.
Professor Jeongmin Seo's research lab focuses on the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the health benefits of lactic acid bacteria, particularly *Lactobacillus plantarum* strains, with a strong emphasis on their postbiotic components such as exopolysaccharides (EPS). The lab investigates how these microbial metabolites modulate immune responses, metabolic regulation, and cellular signaling pathways—including TLR2 and AMPK—offering therapeutic potential for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Using integrative approaches combining cell biology, live-cell imaging, and in vivo models, the lab explores how dietary bioactive compounds like DHA influence subcellular protein localization and membrane dynamics, contributing to metabolic and inflammatory disease prevention. The research bridges microbiology, immunology, and metabolic disease, aiming to translate microbial-derived molecules into functional foods and clinical interventions.
Professor Yookyung Kim's research lab specializes in psychometric and statistical methodologies applied to mental health assessment, particularly focusing on age-related measurement bias in depression and personality disorder inventories using item response theory (IRT). The lab also investigates the functional and physicochemical properties of plant-based foods, such as soy products and whole grain breads, with an emphasis on texture, quality indicators, and bioactive components like dietary fiber and cholesterol-lowering agents. Additionally, the lab employs advanced spectroscopic techniques, such as FT-IR and PLS modeling, to analyze food composition without extensive sample preparation. Overall, the lab bridges psychological measurement with food science and analytical chemistry to improve health outcomes through better assessment tools and functional food development.
Professor Yoonhyuk Jung's research lab focuses on human-centered technology studies, particularly examining user behavior, privacy concerns, and psychological responses in emerging digital environments. The lab investigates how users perceive and interact with smart technologies—such as smartphones, smart speakers, and virtual worlds—through cognitive and emotional lenses, emphasizing user empowerment, sense of presence, and privacy coping mechanisms. Key research directions include the value-laden adoption of information technologies, socio-cognitive dynamics in digital health systems, and the role of emotional and perceptual factors in technology use and retention.
Professor Byung Kwan Park's research lab specializes in diagnostic radiology, with a focus on medical imaging techniques for accurate characterization of urological and renal masses. The lab investigates the role of advanced imaging modalities such as 3-T MRI, CT, and MR spectroscopy in improving the detection and differentiation of prostate and renal tumors, particularly in challenging cases like fat-poor or fat-invisible angiomyolipomas and small incidentally detected renal masses. A key research direction involves optimizing imaging protocols and biopsy strategies to enhance diagnostic accuracy while minimizing unnecessary interventions. The lab also contributes to clinical guidelines through critical evaluation of renal mass biopsy and imaging-based diagnosis.
Professor Anuruddh Kumar's research lab specializes in advanced functional materials and their applications in sustainable energy and environmental remediation. The lab focuses on piezoelectric and piezocatalytic materials for energy harvesting from mechanical vibrations—such as human pulse or ambient motion—and for degrading organic pollutants like dyes under visible light. Key research directions include the development of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, smart textiles with phase change materials for thermal regulation, and multifunctional nanocomposites for environmental and biomedical applications. The lab integrates experimental synthesis, advanced characterization, and finite element modeling to optimize material performance and device design.
Professor Kwang-Suk Jang's research lab specializes in the development of advanced carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites for sustainable energy applications, with a primary focus on organic thermoelectrics and functional membranes. The lab pioneers scalable fabrication techniques—such as spray-coating, wet-spinning, and bar-coating—to create high-performance, flexible, and free-standing thermoelectric materials using polymers like P3HT, PVDF, and cellulose acetate. A key research direction involves enhancing thermoelectric performance through controlled doping (e.g., with polyethylenimine) and nanostructure engineering of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Additionally, the lab explores mesoporous silica membranes for selective gas separation, particularly CO₂ capture, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach to energy and environmental technologies.
Professor Taejoon Kwon's research lab specializes in systems biology and molecular systems engineering, focusing on understanding gene regulation, protein expression, and cellular mechanisms in complex biological systems. The lab integrates multi-omics approaches—particularly proteomics, genomics, and transcriptomics—to study ciliogenesis, cancer cell-specific targeting, and vascular biology. A key focus is developing innovative biological tools and platforms, such as CRISPR-based therapeutics (CINDELA) and organ-on-a-chip models, to enable precise, disease-relevant biological discovery and therapeutic screening. The lab also pioneers methods for high-throughput protein identification and functional genomics using model organisms like *Xenopus laevis*.
Professor Seung Bin Baek's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and functionalization of porous coordination materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), with a focus on enhancing their gas adsorption and separation properties. The lab pioneers advanced post-synthetic modification strategies—especially covalent functionalization and defect engineering—to tailor metal sites and pore environments for selective capture of gases such as ethylene, ethane, and acetylene. Their work also explores the structural dynamics of framework materials under adsorption conditions, using in situ X-ray techniques to probe molecular-level interactions in nonporous or flexible frameworks.
Professor Bong-Kyu Choi's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions, particularly in periodontal and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab investigates the role of bacterial virulence factors, such as extracellular vesicles and quorum-sensing molecules like AI-2, in disease progression and systemic inflammation. Key research directions include the pathogenesis of periodontitis, the contribution of spirochetes and other oral pathogens to chronic inflammation, and the neurotoxic mechanisms of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The lab employs molecular microbiology, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and advanced imaging techniques to explore microbial diversity and host-pathogen crosstalk.
